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HISTORY 

OF 

ALLEN AND WOODSON 
COUNTIES 

KANSAS 

ILLUSTRATED 



Emkei.i.ished with Poi;traits of Well Known People of These Countie: 

WITH BioGUAPHiE.s OF Our Representative Citizens, Curs of 

Public Buildings and a Map of Each County. 



EOITED AND COMPILED BY 

L. WALLACE DUNCAN 
CHAS. F. ScOTT 



lOLA, KANSAS: 

lOLA KKGISTKR, PRINTERS AND BINDERS 

I 90 1 



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Iprcfacc 

There is no romance more thrilling and fascinating than the story of 
the early settlement of Kansas, and her later history holds a charm and 
interest that is not possessed by that of any other State in the Union. Organ- 
ized as a Territory when the contest for the extension of slavery was at 
white heat, it became at once the battle ground of the contending forces, 
the South determined that it should be held as slave territor>', the North 
equally determined that it should be dedicated to freedom. The struggle 
drew the gaze of the Nation upon Kansas, and the interest then awakened 
has continued, through peace and war, to this day. Something is always 
"going on" in Kansas, and whatever it may be, the people in all the other 
States want to know about it. 

Allen and Woodson were among the first counties to be organized in 
the new Territory, and some of the earliest white settlements in Kansas were 
made within their borders. Many of their pioneers were identified in an 
honorable way with the contest for freedom, and they have witnessed many 
stirring events. It is for the purpose of making a permanent record of 
these events, to engrave where they will not be lost or forgotten the names 
of those whose courage and sacrifices laid the foundation for the prosperity 
and peace we now enjoy, as well as to note the steps by which the present 
high material development of the two counties has been reached, that the 
present volume has been compiled and published. 

The highest ambition of the publishers has been to make this History 
accurate and reliable, and they have spared no pains to verify every substan- 
tial fact recorded. To do this they have gone, whenever that was possible 
to the original sources, to documents when such were available, to early 
newspaper files, and to men and women who have been here from the or- 
ganization of the counties and who can say: "All of this I saw and part of 
it I was." And in conducting this research the publishers have been often 
reminded that their work was not begun too soon, for of the large number of 
those who 

■Crossed the prairies as of old 
Our fathers crossed the sea". 

and whose courage and endurance laid broad and deep the foundations of 
the commonwealth, but few now remain, and when they shall have gone 
"to join the great majority" it will no longer be possible to gather at first 



hands the facts that constitute the must intere-^ting, if not the most import- 
ant, part of the historj' of the two counties. In collecting and puttino: in 
form for permanent preservation the recollections of those who were original 
observers and actors through the long period that now stretches between the 
organization of the counties and the present day, the publisliers feel that 
they have done a real service for future generations. 

"Biography is historj- teaching by example," and no hi>tory of any 
American community would be complete that did not contain the life record 
of many of the men and women who constitute its citizenship. A large por- 
tion of this volume is therefore devoted to sketches of those who have in one 
way or another been identified with the political, social, religious, business 
or professional life of the community. The limits of the volume have made 
it impossil)le to include all who are worthy of a place in it: but so far as it 
was possible to secure the facts no one has been omitted who.se record is an 
essential part of the history of the two counties. 

The publishers wish to make special acknowledgment of their indebt- 
edness to those who have contributed the chapters which appear over their 
names, and which add greatly to the intere.st and value of the book. Thu v- 
are very grateful also for the generous encouragement which their under- 
taking has received and for the advance subscriptions which have made its 
publication possible. 

In a recent article Hon. !•'. I'. Ware says: "Next to having heroes is 
having historians. A hero who does not get into history is practicalh' 
wasted. Heroism without hi.story is like a banquet without a guest. The 
great charm of Kansas is the fact that it has had both heroes and historians. 
A good printed history is like a bank. Iii it the valuables and the jewels of 
the State are kept. Into this bank goes the surplus greatness of the peojile 
and of the state. 

If the present work shall in any degree merit this accurate and witty 
definition of a "good printed history," the publisliers will feel that their 
hopes have been justified. 



HISTORY 

OF 

ALLEN COUNTY 

KANSAS 

location an^ IRatural jfcaturcs 

Allen county is located in the southeastern part of the State, in the sec- 
ond tier of counties from the east line and in the third tier from the south 
line, 109 miles south of Kansas City. It is twenty-one miles north and 
south and twenty-four miles east and west, containing 504 square miles, or 
about 322,560 acres. It is divided into twelve townships, as follows: 
Geneva, Carlyle, Deer Creek, Osage, Marmaton, Elm, lola, Elsmore, Salem 
Cottage Grove, Humboldt and Logan. 

The Neosho, the third largest river in the State, enters it at the north- 
west corner and follows a generally southeasterly course, affording a large 
and steady supply of water and furnishing abundant water power at lola 
and Humboldt, where dams have been constructed, the greater part of the 
)'ear. The river has numerous tributaries, the largest being Indian creek, 
Martin creek. Deer creek. Elm creek, Coal creek and Owl creek. The 
Neosho and all its tributaries were heavily wooded when the country was 
first settled, and large bodies of native timber still remain on all of them. 
The Marmaton river rises east of the center of the county and flows south- 
east through Marmaton and Elsmore townships. The Little Osage river 
rises north of the center of the county and flows southeast. Each of these 
rivers has small tributaries. Good well water is obtained nearh* everywhere 
in the county at a depth of from twenty to thirty feet, and at numerous 
points deep wells, drilled to a depth of about two hundred feet, have supplied 
never failing water. 

The river and creek bottoms are wide and level, comprising about one- 
tenth the area of the county. The uplands are gently rolling prairie. There 
is comparatively little surface rock, although in nearly every tcwns^hip i-cme 



nisToKY i)i" \i.i.i;n and 



jroixl quarries have been opened, the stone Ijein^ usually blue and white 
liinestoue and red sandstone. 

When the county was first settled considerable surface coal was found 
in Osage and Cottage Orove townships, and it was thought that a consider- 
able portion of the county might be under laid with coal at a greater depth. 
Subsequent prospecting, however, has not developed any veins of sufficient 
thickness to warrant working. 



IRatuial ll^csourccs 

AGRICULTURAL: Like most of the counties of Kansas, Allen is mostly 
an agricultural county. The bottom lands, comprising as already stated 
one-tenth of the entire area of the county, are apparently inexhaustible in 
their fertility and produce enormous crops year after year. The uplands 
are not so rich, of course, but they yet possess a deep alluvial soil, rich in 
decomposed limestone, and with projier cultivation producing extremely 
well. Up to the time of this writing but little manufactured fertilizer has 
been u.sed, because not found necessary. vSome of the more progressive 
farmers, however, are now exj)erimenting with the various fertilizers that 
are on the markets, and the results have proven so satisfactory that the cus- 
tom w^ill no doubt soon f>ecome general. Wheat is grown successfully 
along the river fjottoms, and some of the ujilands have produced good results 
when fertilizer was used. But corn is the principal crop of the county, the 
average annual product being in the neighborhood of two million bushels. 
Kaffir corn is gaining in favor with the farmers, as it never fails to produce 
a good crop. A great deal of sorghum and millet is raised as a forage crop, 
while flax, oats and broom corn are grown succes.sfully. Nearly all the 
varieties of fruits common to this latitude do well here, apples especially 
being abundant in ([uautity and excellent in quality. Of the tame grasses, 
cl()\er and tiniolliN do the best and are now very generally grown. 

STOCK RAISING: Nearly all the farmers are also stock raisers or 
feeders and nearly all the grain and forage grown in the county is fed with- 
in its borders. Attention is given mostly to hogs and cattle, although there 
are some sheep in the county, and a great many car loads of horses and 
mules are turned off annually. The cheapness with which grain and forage 
can be grown, the abundance of good water, the mildness of the climate and 
the proximity to great markets make the live stock industry one of the most 
])rofitable in which our people engage. 

TIMBER: When the country was first settled the heavy growth of 
forest along the rivers and creeks constituted a very important resource and 
brought many thousands of dollars to the fortunate owners. vSaw mills 
were the first factories of any kind to be established, and practically all the 
houses built prior to the advent of the railroad in 1872 were constructed 
wholly or in large part of native lumber. The forests have been very largely 
cut down, but enough of the original growth yet remains to enable three or 
four small saw mills to do a flourishing business. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 7 

MINERAL: By far the most important mineral resource of the county, 
so far as now known, is tlie Natural Gas, the discovery and development of 
which is made the subject of another chapter. Next in value to the gas 
are the shales, suitable for the manufacture of brick and tiling, and the 
stone designated in the geology of the State as "the lola Limestone". The 
shales are deposited very generously over the county, but are utilized at 
present only at lola and Humboldt, at each of which places, by the u.se of 
natural gas as fuel, they are manufactured into a fine quality of building 
and paving brick. The stone also underlies a large portion of the county'! 
but is used only at lola where, in combination with the shale, it is used in 
the manufacture, on a very large scale, of Portland Cement. It has also 
been used quite extensively for sidewalks and curbing. Considerable oil 
has been developed in the vicinity of Humboldt and at some other points in 
the county, but not in sufficient quantities as yet to admit of its being placed 
upon the market. The presence of so large a gas field as Allen" county 
possesses lends reason to the hope that at some time a correspondingly 
large pool of oil will be found. 



HISTOKY OH AI.I.KN AND 



Zbc (IciTitorial pcriob' 

Allen county no doubt has a liistory, if we could only find it, dating 
tar beyond the brief period of its occupation by tlie j)resent ])opulation. 
Away in the dim recesses of prehistoric times there is good reason to believe 
tlie country we now c ill Kansas, and perhaps this very valley, was inhab- 
ited by a numerous people, different from and far more advanced in civiliz- 
ation than any of the aborigines found here upon the advent of the Euro- 
peans. Tlie numerous and massive ruins of long forgotten cities in Arizona, 
in the canons of the Colorado, and the traces of vast systems of irrigation 
yet discernible in portions of our own State, prove that this portion of the 
continent had a history in connection with the human race long before it 
became the hunting grounds of the Indian or the home of the Caucassian; 
but who they were, whence they came, how long they remained, whither 
they went, and what were the agencies of war, pestilence or famine which 
so completely blotted them out, are (juestions for the archaeologist and anti- 
(|uary, and not for the practical historian of to-day. 

The first written account we have of the territory included within this 
State dates from about the middle of the sixteenth century, when a Spanish 
expedition, under the leadership of Coronado, coming from Mexico by way 
of the Gulf of California, penetrated as far as the north central part of Kan- 
sas. The expedition came in search of gold and silver and fabulously rich 
cities, but it found neither gold nor silver nor cities, and so the disorganized, 
discouraged and demoralized remnant of it returned to Mexico as best it 
could, having left no permanent mark upon the State. 

Another Spaniard, DeSoto, after discovering the Mississippi, crossed 
it in his search for the fountain of perpetual youth and penetrated almost to 
the borders of Kansas, but failing to find the fabled fountain returned and 
was buried in the stream he had discovered, and the only reminder of him 
in Kansas is his name, given to a small station on the Atchison, Topeka 
and Santa Fe railroad near Lawrence. 

French explorers were more successful than the Spanish had been. 
Coming down from the north and east, they ascended the Missouri to the 
mouth of the Kansas river which they entered and followed some distance. 
They have left the most glowing accounts of the beauty and fertility of the 
country and especially of the incredible numbers of buffalo, deer, bear and 
other wild animals with which it abounded. 

In i682 the French took possession of the month of the Mississippi in 
the name of the King of France and named the country on its banks Louis- 

• NoTB-The Publishers wish to acknowledKe their indebtedness for many of the facts recited 
In this ohiipier to two addresses on "The History of Allen County," one delivered at lola, July 4, 
1878, by Dr. John W. Scott, and the other delivered the same day at Humboldt, by Major Watson 
Istewart. 



woonsox corxTiKS, kax.sas. 9 

iana, in honor of Louis XIV. The name was applied to a vast but some- 
what indefinite extent of territory west of the Mississippi river including 
what is now divided into eighteen States and Territories of our Union, 
Kansas being one of them. It remained nominally in the possession of 
h'rance until November, 1762, when it was ceded to vSpain, being retroceded 
to France, October i, 1800, by the secret treaty of St. Idilfonso. 

In 1803, through the crowning act of the administration of Thomas 
Jefferson, the entire Territory of Louisiana was purchased from P'rance and 
ceded to the United States. In 1804 Congress divided the new purchase 
into two distinct territories divided by the 33d parallel of north latitude. 
The southern portion was called the Territory of New Orleans, and the 
northern the District of Louisiana, this District being placed under the 
jurisdiction of the Governor of the Territory of Indiana. In 1805 a Terri- 
torial government was granted to the District of Louisiana, under the name 
of the Territory of Louisiana, and in 181 2 the Territorial Government was 
lecognized and the name changed to that of Missouri Territory. In 1820 
the State of Missouri was admitted into the Ihiion with its present boun- 
daries and there remained of the old Louisiana Purchase the Territory of 
Nebraska. 

It was not until 1854 that the name Kansas appeared upon the map. 
In that year the Territory of Nebraska was divided and what had been the 
southern portion of it was organized into the Territory of Kansas, with A. 
H. Reeder as Governor. The first legislature of the new Territory was 
elected March 30, 1855, — the election being marked by such gross and 
palpable fraud on tlie part of the "Border Ruffians" that the legislature 
then chosen has come down in history as "the bogus legislature". It was 
in the acts of this legislature, known as "the bogus statutes", that Allen 
county first appears as a recognized municipality, having a "local habita- 
tion and a name", the section being in the following words: 

"The county of Allen shall be bounded as follows: Beginning at the 
southeast corner of Anderson county, thence south thirty miles, thence 
west twenty-four miles, thence north thirty miles, thence east t venty-four 
miles to place of beginning " 

The first white settlements in the county were made in the spring and 
summer of 1855, shortly before the county was named and its limits defined 
as above set forth. There is some dispute as to who made the first perma- 
nent settlement, but the weight of the testimony seems to award that 
honorable distinction to Mr. D. H. Parsons, who with a companion, B. W. 
Cowden, arrived on the Neosho river near the mouth of Elm creek in the 
month of March, 1855. They found about four hundred lodges of Osage 
Indians encamped in the timber and still claiming some sort of ownership 
in the country. But owing to the fact that the father of Mr. Parsons had 
been a trader among the Osages, the newcomers were received in the most 
friendly manner and made welcome in the lodges of the camp until their 
cabins were built. 

A little later the good will of the Indiahs again stood Parsons in good 
stead. Returning to his claim after a short absence later in the summer, 



lO IIISTOKV OF Ar.LKX AND 

he found his cabin in possession of a party of Missourians who, drifting 
down that way and finding it unoccupied had proceeded at once to take 
possession and make themselves at home. There was no law, no right but 
might, and the Missourians were the stronger. Finding that argument was 
of no avail, Mr. Parsons appealed to his friend. Little Hear, chief of the 
Osages. The result of this appeal was that a party of warriors presented 
themselves suddenly before the astonished interlopers, and with angry 
gestures and loud threatening talk gave them to understand that the\- must 
get out. The Missourians were now the suppliants, and begging I'arsuns 
to restrain the fury of the saviges until they could get out of their reach 
they departed immediately, rapidly and permanently. The claim over 
which this dispute arose was just across the river southwest of lola, known 
to all the later settlers as the Nimrod Hankins ])lace. 

During the summer of 1855 " number of settlers arrived in the couulv. 
the following being as nearly a complete roll as can now be obtained: 
Major James Parsons, with his sons, Jesse and James, H. H. Hayward; 
l)r Uurgess, Isem Brown, A. W. J. Brown, J. S. Barbee, Thos. Day, Giles 
Sater, Thos. Norris, Jessie H. Morris, Anderson Wray, George Hall, Dr. 
Stockton, A. C. Smith, Augustus Todd, Michael Ki.ser, Hiram Smith, 
Richard J. Fuqua, W C. Keith, Henry Bennett, Klias Copelin, James 
Barber, Barnett Owen, James Johnson, Charles Passmore, James Gillraith, 
David Dotson, E. H. Young, a Mr. Duncan and a Mr. Martin, for whom 
Martin creek was named. Of these sturdy and honored pioneers not one 
now remains in the county, and probably fewer than half a score are yet 
living. 

The Legislature of I.S55 adopted a system of county organization the 
officers of which were a Probate Judge, with power and jurisdiction almost 
etjual to that of our present di.strict court; two County Commissioners, con- 
stituting with the Probate Judge, the tribunal for transacting county busi- 
ness; and a sheriff. These four officers were to be appointed by the 
Legislature and to hold their offices until the general election in 1857, and 
they in turn to appoint the County Clerk and Treasurer. The officers 
appointed for Allen county were Charles Passmore, Probate Judge, Barnett 
Owen and B. W. Cowden, Commissioners, and Wni. J. Godfrey, Sheriff. 

In the spring of ICS55 a party of proslavery men from Fort Scott formed 
a town company, and coming to Allen county laid out a town on the high 
ground south of the mouth of Elm creek and on the east bank of the Neosho 
river, about one and one-half mile.'- southwest of where lola now stands. 
The town was named Cofachique. in honor of an Indian chief, and James 
Barbee was elected the first president of the comiiany. The Company was 
incorporated by the bogus legislature under the name of the Cofachique 
Town Association, with Daniel Woodson, Charles Passmore, James S. 
Barbee, William Barber, Samuel A. Williams and Joseph C. Anderson as 
the incorporators. The Association was authorized by the act creating it to 
hold any quantity of land not exceeding 900 acres, "where the city of 
Cofachique is now located," and was made the permanent county seat of 
Allen countv. The first store in the town and in the county was started by 



WOODSOX COrXTIKS, KANSAS. I r 

James Galbrealh. H. I). Parsons and a Mr. Lynn soon started another and 
a third was opened by John & Owens. The first post-office in the county 
was e-tablished at Cofachique in the spring of 1855 with Aaron Case as 
postmaster, but it was not until July 1, 1857, that a regular mail route 
was opened, the mail prior to that time having been brought in from Fort 
Scott by a carrier emplo\-ed by the citizens. 

F'or nearly two years Cofachique was the only town in the count\- and 
was a place ot much importance. The first term of court in the county was 
held there in 1865 by Judge Cato, a United States District Judge, with J.. 
S. Barbee, clerk and James Johnson sheriff. There is no record of pro- 
ceedings at this term and it is possible that but little was done. In October 
1858 Judge Williani.s held another term, with J. B. Lanikin clerk, and J. 
E. Morris sheriff. A grand jury was in attendance composed of the follow- 
ing: L. E. Rhoades, Thos. H. Bashaw, Thos. Dean, J. B. Young, Jacob 
Buzzard, Moses Neal, Mike Kiser, Robert Culbertson, Simon Camerer, A. 
G. Carpenter, J. C. Redfield, Wui. Pace, Chas. Burton, Dene Reese and 
Rufus Wood. A number of civil cases were tried, and the grand jury 
made presentment against Leonard Fuqua lor assault with intent to kill 
one Josiah C. Redfield; also for assault on P. P. Phillips; and against 
Leonard Fuqua, Homer C. Leonard, A. C. Smith, Avery C. Spencer, Ed. 
Cushion and William P'uqua for assault and battery on George Esse. 
These troubles grew out of claim disputes, a fruitful cause of strife in all 
new countries. 

With the record of this term of court the history of Cofachique prac- 
tically closes. In 1858 a Free State legislature, looking upon Cofachique 
as a pro-slavery nest, removed the county seat to Humboldt, a new town 
that had been laid out the year before, some seven miles south of Cofachi- 
que. In 1859 lola, another new town, was started a little distance to the 
north. The result was the death of Cofachique. The site of the town had 
not been wisely chosen, being difficult of access from any of the beaten 
roads and having no available water supply. The natural disadvantages 
together with the disrepute into which it fell on account of its pro-slavery 
proclivities, are responsible for its ultimate failure. In 1859 and '60 all 
the buildings that had been erected there were removed to lola, and there 
is now not a stick nor a stone to remind even the most careful observer 
that a town once existed there. The land on which it was built is now the 
property of the Portland Cement Company. 

During the summer and fall of 1856 immigration continued, though 
not in very large numbers. Prominent among the settlers of that year 
were Nimrod Hankins, William M. Brown, Carlyle Faulkner, Carroll 
Prewett, Henry Doren, G. A. Gideon, William Mayberry, Thomas Bashaw, 
M. W. Post and Joseph Ludley. The two last named came in February 
1856, being engaged in the survey of the standard parallels. They finished 
this survey with the fifth parallel through Allen county, and concluded to 
locate in or near Allen county. Sometime during the following summer 
Ludley brought a small saw mill from Westport, Mo., set it up in the 
timber near Cofachique and began operations at once. The mill was run 



13 IIISTdKV (IF Al.I.KN AM) 

bv horse power, and was the tirst mill or other machiiier\ to he put in 
operation in Allen county. Alter runniiij;; it lor some time Luclley soKl it 
to Drury S. Tye. 

This year, 1856, witnessed the first marriage thai took place in the 
county, that of James Johnson to Marinda Karber, August 14. The cere- 
mony was performed by A. W. J. Brown, the probate judge of the county. 
The tirst death in the county also took place this year, that of James Barbee 
which occurred at Cofachique. 

Although the county officers were appointed by the legislature as has 
already been ncted, in 1855, it appears that they did not meet until May 7. 
1856. In the meantime the probate judge by appointment, Charles Pass- 
more, had died, and on the day above named Harnett Owen and B. W. 
Cowden, county commissioners, met in Cofachique at the house of J. S. 
Barbee, and organized by the appointment of Barbee as clerk. On June 2. 
1H56, the Board again met and comjileted the organization of the county by 
the a()pointment of A. W. J. Brown, probate judge, James Johnson sheriff, 
C B. Houston surveyor, H. D. Parsons coroner, H. H. Haywartl treasurer 
and J. S. Barbee permanent clerk. They also divided the countx' into 
three precincts. The first embraced all north of a line drawn east and 
west through the mouth of IJeer creek, and was called IJeer creek precinct 
or township; R. Fuqua and Hiram Cable were appointed justices of the 
peace and William Sater constable. The second division included all 
between Deer creek township and the 5th standard parallel, and was called 
Cofachique: John Duiiwoody and William Avery justices and Ozias Owen 
constable. The third division comprised the remainder of the county and 
was called Coal creek township; Thos. H. Bashaw and Elias Copelin jus- 
tices, and James Brady constable. 

On the 19th of August, 1856, the Board met and appointed judges of 
election for the first Monday in October for members of the Territorial 
legislature. The appointments were as follows: Deer Creek, Giles Sater, 
James Parsons, Wm. C. Keith, — the election to be held at the house of Isem 
Brown. Cofachique, Wm. Avery, G. A. Gideon and Wm. Mayberry, — 
the election to be held at Cofachique. Coal Creek, Henry Bennett, E. 
Copelin and James H. Bashaw, — the election to be held at the house of VJ. 
G. Wimburn. The Board also levied a tax of ''twenty-three and one-half 
per. cent on each one hundred dollars" (so stated in the recor<is. though it 
is probable that twenty-three and one-half cents on each one hundred dol- 
lars is meant), of personal property and fifty cents poll tax, and soon after 
ordered the erection of a court house at Cofachique to be eighteen feet wide 
and twenty feet long, one room below and two above, the lower room to 
have one batton door, and one twelve light window, 8x10, and each of the 
upper rooms a window of similar dimensions. This order, however, seems 
to liave been unpopular, for at a subsecjuent meeting, January 7, 1857, the 
Board recinded both the tax and the order for a court house. 

There is no record that the election ordered for the first Monday in 
October of 1856 was held in Allen county. This election was for members 
of the Territorial legislature and delegates in Congress under the bogus 



\VOOl)S(1N' COUNTIES, KANSAS. 13 

laws. The Free State men, who were a majority amoiigsl the settlers of 
Allen county, did not recognize the authority of those laws, and it is prob- 
able that most of the judges appointed refused to act and the election went 
by default. The county records contain no mention of even an attempt 
being made to hold any election prior to this, but as a matter ot fact an 
election was held October 5, 1855, at the house of J R. Fuqua, at which 
W'm. R. Griffith, John Hamilton, A. W. J. Brown and W'm. Saunders 
were elected as delegates to the Topeka Constitutional convention, each 
receiving twelve votes. At the same election A. H. Reeder received twelve 
votes for delegate in Congress. There is no record that a vote was ever 
taken in the county upon the adoption of the Topeka constitution 01 an>- 
officers under it. While Allen county took no part in the elections it was 
yet included in a large and rather indefinite district which was represented 
in the Territorial council of 1855 by Wm. Barbee, of Fort Scott, a brother 
of J. S. Barbee who figured in this count\', and in the lower house of the 
same legislature by S. A. Williams. In the second Territorial legislature, 
elected in October, 1856, this county was represented in the same vague 
way in the council by Blake Little, a notorious Border Ruffian, and in the 
house by B. Brantley and W. W. Spratt. 

The years 1855 and 1856 are noted in the history of Kansas for the 
Border Ruffian war which r4ged throughout the more thickly settled por- 
tions of the Territory, the first active outbreak of the irrepressible conflict 
between slavery and freedom which ended some years later in the slave- 
holders' rebellion and the final extinction of their peculiar institution on 
the continent. Invasion of savage hordes, armed with ballots and bullets, 
with which to subdue the country and make Kansas a slave State, bogus 
elections, pitched battles, marauding raids and midnight assassination.s, 
kept the northern and border counties in continual excitement and alarm. 
But only the distant reverberations of the conflict reached the peaceful val- 
ley of the Neosho. Isolated by situation and separated from the eastern 
and northern portions of the Territory by wide and naked prairies, our 
early settlers escaped the perils and anxieties of these troubled years. 
Amongst the pioneers of Allen county from the very first the Free State 
sentiment predominated, but they were mostly western men and as such 
rather moderate in their views on the slavery question. They allowed their 
pro-slavery neighbors to entertain their peculiar sentiments without moles- 
tation, and during the entire continuance of the troubles no instance of 
violence or outrage from this cause occurred within the limits of the county, 
or involving any of its citizens. And of the immense sums of money raised 
in the eastern States for the relief of Kansas settlers in 1856, amounting 
according to Wilder's Annals, to $241,000, it is not known that one dollar 
ever found its way into Allen county. 

But while the county fortunately escaped the horrors of border warfare, 
its early history is not without pathetic, and almost tragic incidents. One 
of the most pitiful of these resulted from the attempt to establish what was 
known as the "Vegetarian Colony", in 1855 a"cl '6. The colony was 
organized in some of the Northern States in 1855, its purpose being to form 



14 .' H'f.STOKY OF" Al,I.I-:\ A'Xn ' 

a settle neitl'Eumevvhere in Kansas TeTitorv, the meinbers of 'vhicli shoiikl 
abst.iiii troiii the use of meat, tea, coffee, tobacco, or other stimulants, and 
who while owning some land individually should yet hold large tracts in 
common and should co-operate in many other ways to help one onother 
and to build up an ideal community. C. H. DsWolf, of Philadelphia, was 
president, Dr. McLauren, treasurer, and H. S. Clubb, of New York, secre- 
tary. In the fall of [S55 Dr. McLauren was sent out to select a location. 
The place chosen was on the left bank of the Xeosho river, about six miles 
south of Humboldt, designated in the literature of the promoters of the 
scheme as Neosho City. In the spring of 1S56 the secretary arrived with a 
number of the colonists, and others came later, through the months of 
April, May and June, until somewhat more than a hundred people reached 
the place. There appears to have been gross mismanagement, if not out- 
right peculation, 011 the part of the man igers of the colony. At least the 
promises they had made, among other things to have a saw and .grist mill 
constructed, and to have a large house built in which all the colonists could 
be siieltered until they should have time to erect their individual dwellings, 
were not kept. The result was bitter disappointment and much suffering. 
For the most part the settlers were eastern people, not versed in the exped- 
ients by which tho.se accustomed to frontier life learned to make themselves 
comfortable with few of the accessories of civilization. The food supply 
was .scant, and even the little they had could not be properly prepared for 
waul of stoves and utensils. There was but one plow in the entire settle- 
ment. When the summer came on clouds of mosquitos swarmed from the 
adjacent low lands, making the night time almost unendurable. The 
shallow springs which had been noteit as "inexhaustible" in the glowing 
prospectus of the company, failed and only the stagnant pools in the little 
creek, which ran by the settlement were available for drinking water, so 
that nearly all the people were stricken with chills and fever. The little 
fields of melons, squashes, pumpkins and corn which had been planted 
with infinite toil in the tough sod, and which had grown luxuriantly, were 
raided by neighboring bands of Indians and the products carried off or 
destroyed. It is little wonder, therefore, that the colony did not survive 
its first year. As the winter approached, those who could get away 
returned to their old homes or sought other locations where the conditions 
of life were not so strenuous, many died, especially of the children and the 
old people, while those who remained in the county located claims and 
fought their own way through to victory or defeat, without the "assistance" 
of a paternal company. So that before the following spring not a trace of 
the settlement survived, and the ill-starred venture has left no mark on the 
county except its name "\'egetarian" given to the small creek that flowed 
by the settlement. The story of the colony has been most graphically told 
by Mrs. Wm. H. Colt, who with her husband and tv^'o children and her 
husband's father, mother and sister, were among the colonists, in a book 
which bears the quaint and curious title "Went to Kansas", and it is one 
of the most touching and pathetic stories in all the annals of the State. 

During the summer and fall of 1857 large additions were made to the 



WOODSON" Cot^N^rES. 'JiAxgAS. I5 

population of the county, so many new settlers arriving tiTataitis impossible 
to give the names of individuals. Up to this time the settlements had been 
fcxclusively confined to the timbered \alle\s of the large streams. ' But 
they now bei^an to encroach upon the prairies and the population became 
more generally distributed over the county, especialh" the western half of 
it, to which indeed it was mainly confined for many years> As a result of 
this large immigration Allen county during this summer 'experienced its 
first ■'boom". Times were flush. Money was abundant. Every new 
settler came with his pockets full of gold, and most of tlre^nl seemed to come 
with the idea that the thing to do was to build a cit"\i Towns were staked 
out everywhere, the most impossible locations were selected, high sounding 
names were adopted, lithographs were printed by the thousand and sent all 
over the country. Indeed so universal was the mania that the facetious S. 
N. Wood once proposed in the legislature to reserve by law a certain por- 
tion of the Territory for farming purposes. The Kansas ■'boomer" of later 
days comes by his propensity honestly; it was bred in him. Allen county 
did not entireh- escape this town building infection, though she suffered from 
it in a less degree perhaps than some other localities. Only two towns 
were started here during that year, Geneva and Humboldt, and although 
they have not realized the extravagant expectations of their founders, they 
have yet prospered in a reasonable degree, and their history is reserved for 
a subsequent chapter. 

Until the general election October 5th of this year, the affairs of the 
county were conducted by the original county board, Brown, Cowden and 
Owen, although it seems that Owen now seldom met with them. At their 
first meeting in 1857 January 5th, they again undertook to levy a tax. This 
time it was forty-three and one-third per cent on the $100. They ap- 
pointed Jacob B. vSherlock assessor, offered a bounty of twenty-five cents for 
wolf scalps, and allowed Barbee fifty cents hotise rent. On the 19th of 
Jantiarj' they had another meeting and appointed Nimrod Hankins assessor, 
vSherlock having refused to qualify. On March 30 the assessment roll, the 
first taken in the county, was returned and showed a total taxable propeity 
in the county $34,515.50. The board allowed the assessor twenty-four 
tloUars for his services. Having apparently discovered that forty-three and 
one-third per cent was rather a heavy tax, the board at this meeting rescinded 
their former action and levied a tax of one-sixth of one per cent, a ver\- con- 
siderable reduction. Having thus satisfactorily arranged the financial af- 
fairs of the cotinty, the board adjotirned, as the record qnaintl}- says, "tintil 
there is other business before the court." It seems that other business did 
not appear during the year, as there is no record of a subsequent meeting of 
the board, and it was succeeded by a new board chosen at the general elec- 
tion in October. 

The first census of Kansas was taken in April, 1857, under an act of 
the Territorial legislature preparatory to a new legislative apportionment 
and for the apportionment of delegates to the Lecompton constitution. By 
this census the population of Bourbon, McGee, Dorn and Allen counties 
was 2622, of whom 645 were legal voters. This gave the district which 



l6 HISTOKV 111" AI.I.I:n' AM) 

tiie-;L' counties comprise four delegates in the convention, and at the election 
held in June, 1S57, H. T. Wilson. Blake Little, Miles Greenwood and 
Ci. V. Hamilton were elected, J. S. Barbee. of Allen being defeated. The 
c.indidites were all pro-slavery, the Free State men refusing to recognize 
the proceeding in any way. In the legislative apportionment, the counties 
i4 Sliawntc, Richardson. Davis, Wise, Breckenridge, Bourlion. Godfrey, 
Wilson. Dorn. McGee, Butler. Hunter. Greenwood. Madison. Wilson. Coffey, 
Woodson and Allen, (how many familiar names do you note?) were allowed 
two members of the council, and in the House nineteen counties including 
Allen, were allowed three representatives. The election was called for Octo- 
ber 5, I.S57. and under the assurance of Gov. Robert J. Walker that it should 
b? fair and free, the Free State party now for the first time determined to 
muster their .strength at the ballot box. The result, after throwing out 
some illegal votes in Johnson and McGee counties, was a complete victory, 
nine Free State Councilmen being elected to four pro-slavery, and twenty-four 
Free .State representatives to fifteen Pro-slavery. The political comple.xion 
of .\llen county at this time is shown by the vote for delegate in congress 
as follows: Deer Creek. M. J. Parrott. P'ree State 33. E. Ransom, Pro- 
slavery i: Cofachique. parrott 20. Ransom 16: Coal creek. Parrott 12. 
Ransom ,^: total vote 85. Free State majority 45. At this election O. E. 
Learnard. then of Coffey county, now owner of the Lawrence Journal, and 
C. K. Holliday, of Shawnee, lately deceased, were elected to represent in 
the council the district of which Allen county was a part, and in the House 
the representatives were Christopher Columbia, John Curti.ss and Samuel 
J. Stewart. Mr. Stewart was the first citizen of Allen county who occupied 
a legislative position in the Territory, and his continued vigor, as well as 
his continued fjopularity. is shown by the interesting fact that at this writ- 
ing ( 1901 ) he is again representing his county in a similar pxisition. having 
been elected to the State senate in 1900. — forty-three years after his first 
experience in that capacity. 

At this election, in 1857. new county officers were also chosen as 
follows: J. I). Pa.ssmore. probate judge; Elias Copelin and T. J. Day, 
ccmnty commissioners: Jesse E. Morris sheriff. The new board met January 
5. 185,8. and appointed James H. Signor clerk. Z. J. Wisner assessor. George 
.\. Miller coroner, and Cyrus Dennis. Cornelius O'Brien and Dan Brown 
constables. The only other meeting of this board which is any where 
recorded was >Larch. 1858. at Layton Jay's blacksmith shop in Cofachique. 
.\t this meeting they reorganized the precincts, for the first time designating 
them officially astownships.of which they made four. Deer Creek, Cofachique. 
Humtxildt and Cottage Grove. The board then adjourned to meet at 
Thurston's office in Humboldt, the legislature having removed the county 
seat to that place. There is here a hiatus of nearly a year in the record, 
the next entry l)e!ng dated February 8. 1859. when the board again 
returned to Cofachique. The probability is that that portion of the record 
made at Humboldt was destroyed in some of the raids that took place during 
tlic war. 

During the year 1858 the population of the county increa.sed very rap- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 7 

idly and indeed at the close of the year was very little short of what it was 
at any time for nearly a quarter of a century thereafter. And the increase 
was by healthy and natural immigration. Tlie era of colonization and town 
building was about over, only one or two enterprises of the kind being 
inaugurated that year, and those of modest and unpretending character. A 
small colony from Johnson and Park counties Indiana had selected the pre- 
ceding fall the townsite of Carlyle, and left two young men P. M. Carnine 
and R. V. Ditmars, to prepare some cabins during the winter. In the 
spring and summer of this year several families arrived. T. P. Killen, J. M. 
Evans, S. C. Richards, David Bergen, J. W. Scott and Harmon Scott being 
among the first. The Carlyle colony had selected two quarter sections of 
land as a town site whereon they proposed to build a village, with church, 
school house, etc. They very soon di.scovered, however, that a town was 
not what they wanted, and the townsite was very wisely made (jver into 
farms. The church and school house were built, however, and the settle- 
ment, with its later additions, the Coverts, Cozines, Christians, Adamses, 
Smiths and many more, became one of the most thrifty and substantial in 
the county. In the course of time a post-office was established, and that in 
due course brought a store, and Carlyle is now a mode.st but thriving vil- 
lage, the center of a .splendid country community. 

About the same time that the Carlyle colony arrived another town was 
projected, called Florence, which was to be located north of Deer creek and 
east of Carlyle. J. B. Chapman, Harvey Allen, J. B. Justus, D. C. 
VanBrunt, D. Rogers, M. M. Haun, W. S. Eastwood, F. M. Power, R. B. 
Jordan and others were interested in it, and it was their expectation that 
the E. L. & G. railroad would pass through it. This expectation was not 
realized however, and the attempt to build another "city" was soon aban- 
doned. The site wliich it was to occupy is now known as the Strickler 
and Whitaker farms. 

The second mail route was established during the summer of 1858. 
It was to run from Eawrence to Humboldt, via Garnett, Hyatt, Carlyle and 
Cofachique. The service was to begin July i and a few days before that 
date J. W. Scott, J. M. Evans and Harmon Scott took a wagon load of 
poles and laid out and marked a trail from Hyatt to Carlyle. This trail is 
now the main wagon road leading from the county north and very near the 
route followed by the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston (now the 
Southern Kansas division of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe) railroad. 
Zach Squires was the first mail carrier, and for some time his weekly trips 
were made on the back of a small mule. Afterwards the service was made 
tri-weekly, and the little mule gave way to a two horse hack, then a jerky. 
or two horse stage, and finally an imposing Ov^erland coach which, in its 
turn was succeeded by the passenger train. The post-office for Carlyle was 
for some time kept at the house of J. W. Scott. Afterwards and for a 
number of years at the home of John Covert, in the house now occupied by 
Mrs. D. Adams. Since the advent of the railroad it has been kept at the 
store in the village. 

This was the era of elections in Kansas, when the people voted early 



iS iiisToKv OK ai.i.i:n and 

and often, and the year i<S5<S witnessed a larj^e number of town meetings, 
political conventions and elections. On March 9, occurred the election for 
members of the Leavenworth constitutional convention. A. G. Carpenter 
was chosen as the delejj;ate from Allen county. This was the third 
convention that had been elected to frame a constitution for the State, and 
like both of the others it proved an abortion. In this year also was 
submitted to the people for ratification or rejection the Lecompton constitu- 
tion under the English bill. The vote in Allen county stood, for 2.-^, ajjainst 
26.S, showing a very decided predominance of the Free State sentiment. 
The reji;ular election of members of the Territorial legislature and county 
ofhcers occurred October 4. The same 19 disfranchised counties sent three 
representatives as before. This time Allen comity failed to secure a 
member, Win. Springs, of Anderson, being the nearest. 

The Free State legislature had abolished the old Missouri system of 
county court or commissioners, and provided for the election of township 
supervisors, three from each township, the chairmen of these together con- 
stituting the county board. Those elected at this time and serving at 
different times during the year were B. L. O. Stone, J. F. Colborn. I). B. 
Stewart, \V. W. Miles, John Hamilton, Ellas Copelin and J. S. Barbee. 
The other county officers held over from the previous year. 

As before stated, the legislature of 185,^ had, without consulting the 
people and without the previous knowledge of any except of a few particu- 
larly interested, removed the county seat to Humboldt. The first meeting 
of tlie new county board of which there is any record was held at that place 
February S, 1859. The only business transacted was the election of B. I.. 
G. Stone, chairman. The board then adjourned to meet at Cofachi(|ue. 
but why, or by what authority, does not appear. They met at Cofachi(jue, 
as per adjournment, February 14, organized the new township of Geneva 
and appointed judges of the election to be held on the fourth Monday of 
March to ratify the Leavenworth constitution. The judges apjiointed were 
as follows: Geneva, at the house of Levi Ross, L. L. Xorthrup, William 
Noble, J. H. Spicer: Deer Creek at the house of Thos. Day, Thos. Day. 
Henry Doren and J. W. vScott; Cofachique, James Faulkner, Z. J. Wisner 
and J. N. Bear: Humboldt, Thos. H. Bashaw, P. Cox and IClias Copelin: 
Cottage Grove, Thos. Jackson, J. ^L Beck and Dr. Phillips. This is the first 
election held in the county of which any report appears on the county records 
or of which there ajipears to have been a regular canvas. Apparently little 
interest was taken in this event, as the entire vote cast was only 13S, of 
which 134 were for the constitution and 4 against. 

During the year 1859 political matters continued to engage a large 
share of the attention of the people. On the 7th of June an election was 
held for members of another constitutional convention, the fourth and last. 
At this election J. H. vSignor was chosen by a majority of six, having 
received 175 votes to 169 for Chas. S. Clark. The convention met in 
Wyandotte July 5, and framed the constitution under which the State was 
finally admitted. This constitution was submitted October 4th, and the vote 



WDODSON' COIXTIKS, KANSAS. ig 

in Allen connt_\' stood 244 for, 159 against, and on the homestead clause 
which was submitted separately 201 for and 152 against. 

Tlie time for the general election this year had been changed to Nov- 
ember 4, and a new apportionment had been made for the legislature. 
Bourbon, Allen, McGee, Dorn, Woodson and Wilson counties formed the 
r2th council district. Watson Stewart was elected t(j the council and J. W. 
Scott representative, with the following county officers: Simon Camerer, 
jjrobate judge; H. H. Hayward, sheriff; J. W. Perkins, register of deeds: 
J. H. Signor, county clerk; Wm. Doren, treasurer; Merrict Moore, super- 
intendent of schools; A. G. Carpenter, surveyor; Chas. Fussman, coroner. 
About a month later, December 6, the fir.st election for State and county 
officers under the Wyandotte constitution was held, resulting as follow^s: 
District Judge S. O. Thacher; Senators, loth district, P. P. Elder, Wm. 
Spriggs; Repre.sentatives, B. L. G. vStone, N. B. Blandon (Stone afterwards 
resigned and a special election was held to fill the vacancy in the first State 
legislature;) probate judge, Geo. A. Miller; Clerk of the District court, 
J. H. Signor; Superintendent of schools, MeiTitt Moore. 

The last year of the Territorial period is the darkest year in the history 
of the county and the State. The story of i860 may be written in the one 
word. Drouth. Up to this time the county had steadily improved. Times 
were not so good nor money so abundant as before the panic (A '57, but 
immigration still continued, the seasons had been favorable, the crops good 
and the people had enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity. But all this 
was sadly changed. There was a copious shower in vSepteraber 1859, but 
after that it may be said with almost literal truth that there was no rain for 
eighteen months. There was neither rain nor snow during the winter and 
the ground was exceedingly dry in the spring, but anticipating nothing 
unusual the people plowed and planted and pursued their ordinary avoca- 
tions. The Territorial legislature at its last session had adopted a new plan 
of county organization, providing for three county commissioners instead of 
the board of supervdsors, and a probate judge with greatly restricted powers. 
On March twenty-sixth a special election was held for the new officers. J. 
G. Rickard was elected probate judge, George Zimmerman, N. T. Winans 
and D. B. Stewart county commissioners. But a more absorbing interest 
than offices and politics soon began to claim the attention of the people. As 
spring passed on and ripened into summer there was still no rain, the dust 
in which the seed had been planted remained dust. The burning sun 
glared fiercely all day, and no dew decended at night. "The .sky above 
our heads seemed brass," says J. W. Scott in the address from which many 
of the foregoing facts have been gleaned, "and the earth was iron beneath 
our feet. The air around us seemed the very breath of hell, and the whole 
atmosphere ready to burst into devouring flame. Day after day and month 
after month the scanty vegetation looked up helplessly to the unpitying 
heavens, and finally drooped and died. How many nights we sat hour 
after hour watching the hurrying clouds and hoping against hope that they 
would bring the needed moisture; but they were as dry as ashes and the 
hearts of the boldest died within them. No people ever struggled more 



20 HIST(1KY OK Al.l.lC.N AND 

inaiifullv aKaiii^it over\vhi.-liiiiii>; disaster. When one crop failed another 
was tried, each tt) meet with no better success than the first." It was a 
heart-breaking experience, and those who passed through it cannot speak 
of it even now without a shudder. It is no wonder that many of the settlers 
perhaps a majority of them, went back to their former homes, and that few 
of those who went ever returned. Those who remained suffered the 
extremest jirivatiou, and many of them were rescued from actual starvation 
only by the timely arrival of supplies sent out by the numerous "Kansas 
Aid" societies which were organized throughout the East. There have 
been hard times in Kansas since then; but compared with iS6o there has 
never been a year tliat was not one of abundance and good cheer. 

This year the county was divided for the first time into comnii.ssioner 
districts. The board elected at the special election in March were only to 
hold until the general election in November, at which time the following 
persons were elected commissioners: Henry Doren, H. D. Parsons and D. 
B. Stewart, with Vaucy Martin assessor, — the other county officers holding 
over. J. W. Scott was re-elected representative, Watson Stewart holding 
over in the Council. An attempt was made during this year to build a jail 
at Humboldt. Specifications were adopted by the county board and pro- 
posals received; but the times were unpropitious and nothing farther was 
done. The first regular census was taken this year and gave Allen county 
a population of 3120. The number of cattle reported was 5043, swine 2060, 
horses 951, mules 50 and sheep 710. This census was taken in June and 
shows a much larger population than remained at the end of the year. 

The following winter was very severe, and notvvith.standing the "aid" 
received, much suffering was experienced, especially by those who were 
compelled to make long trips after relief goods. These were mostly dis- 
tributed from Atchison through S. C. Pomeroy. afterwards United States 
Senator, and the journey, often made with ox teams, requiring a week or 
ten days, sometimes through the fiercest storms, was only rendered endura- 
ble by the absolute necessity ot the case. 

It was during this darkest period of her history, when the hearts of the 
bravest of her pioneers were heavy within them and the "Ad Astra" of the 
motto emblazoned on her shield seemed a bitter nu)ckery, that Kansas was 
ushered into the sisterhood of States. The bill for her admission was 
signed by President Buchanan on the twenty-ninth day ol January. 1861, 
and the Territorial Period was brought to a close. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



(Tbc Mar ll^crio^ 

As soon as the news of the breaking out of the Rebellion reached 
Allen County nearly all the able-bodied men hastened to enlist in defense of 
the Union. In 1861 the lola Battalion was formed, and from the county 
were three companies, commanded by Captains Coleman, Flesher, and 
Killen, which served in the Ninth Kansas. In the Tenth Kansas Regi- 
ment were two companies, one commanded by Capt. W. C. Jones, and the 
other by Capt. N. B. Blanton. 

The county being on the southern border of the State, it was consid- 
ered in danger of invasion from the Missouri guerrillas and the hostile 
Indians of the Territory. The scene of most of the military operations in 
the county were in and about Humboldt. In the summer of 1861 a 
company was organized there with N. B. Blanton, Captain; S. J. Stewart, 
F'irst Lieutenant. J. H. Signer was afterward Second Lieutenant. Capt. 
Isaac Tibbets organized a company of infantry, and Capt. I. N. Phillips a 
company of Cavalry. During the same summer a regiment was organized 
in Allen and Woodson counties. Orlin Thurston was Colonel; James 
Kennar, Lieutenant Colonel; and N. S. Goss, Major. This was the Sev- 
enth Kansas Regiment, for the defense of Kansas, and was under the com- 
mand of Gen. J. H Lane. While this regiment was with Lane in Missouri 
there were but very few men left at home to protect the settlements, and 
the most of the farming and other work for the maintenance of the families 
of the soldiers was done by the women and children. 

Sacking of Humboldt. — While the .\llen County soldiers were away 
with Lane, a raid was made on the unprotected settlement of Humboldt on 
September eight, i86r by a band of Missouri guerrillas, Cherokee Indians, 
and Osage half-breed Indians, under command of Captains Matthews and 
Livingstone. Matthews had been a trader among the Indians, had married 
an Osage squaw, and lived where Oswego now is. He had great influence 
among the Osages and incited them to take sides with the Southern Con- 
federacy. At Humboldt they sacked the stores and dwellings, carrying off 
all the money and valuables they could find without resistance, all the men 
being absent. 

Burning ok Humboldt. — At the time of the raid in September, Dr. 
George A. Miller was absent trying to obtain authority to organize a 
company of Home Guards. He succeeded in this, and on his return or- 
ganized a company of infantrymen in the town, which was composed of old 
men, boys, and a few of the militiamen who had returned to Humboldt as 
soon as they learned of the raid, to help protect their defenseless families. 
A company of cavalry was also organized in the neighborhood, composed 



22 HISTORY ( )K AI.I.KN AND 

of farmers, aii'l oDnunanded by Caj)!. Henry Dudley. These comjwiiies 
accompanied by Col. J. G. Blunt, went in pursuit of the guerrillas, and 
succeeded in overtaking them, when a skirmish took place, during which 
the outlaw, Capt. Matthews was killed. The Home Guards returned, and 
for several days the cavalry was sent out regularly as a scouting party, it 
being feared that anotlier attack would be made on the town. The infantry 
remained at iicime and were always upon guard. Scjon, however, there 
appearing to be no danger, the cavalry were allowed to return to their 
hoints. Late in the afternoon of the Fourteenth of October, 1861, a body 
()( Rebel Cavalry under command of Col. Talbott, dashed into Humboldt. 
The Home Guards, comprising less than 100 men, were taken completely 
by surprise, and it was impossible for Capt. Miller to get them together. 
The town was soon filled with armed men, who kept up a continual firing 
of guns and pistols. A few of the men b\- running succeeded in making 
their escape, but the others were soon captured and placed under guard. 
It was suppo.sed they would all be shot by the outlaws and the Indians 
who accompanied them. The only resistance offered was by Capt. Miller 
and Charles Halaud. The Captain finally gave up his arms, pleading 
that the women and children might be saved, even though he expected to 
be murdered. The town was then set on fire, but before this was done, 
the Rebel officer ordered his men to allow the women and children to 
remove their valuables and hou.sehold goods from their dwellings, and 
even ordered them to assist. The rebel officers claimed that Humboldt 
was burned in retaliation for the burning of Osceola, by Gen. Lane, and 
the killing of Matthews. Nearly all the buildings were then set on fire. 
The churches were saved, also the Masonic Hall. Of the other buildings 
not set on fire was the house of Dr. Wni. Wakefield, who, when he saw 
that he was in the power of the enemy, invited the officers to take supper 
with him. Among them was Capt. Livingstone. A few other houses 
were saved where there were women too sick to be moved. Among these 
was the residence of Col. Thurston, whose wife was unwell, and Mrs. 
Goodin, the wife of Hon. J. R. Goodin, who sent her to bed and told the 
Rebels she was too sick to be moved. The land office and court hou.se 
building was set on fire, but after the departure of the Rebels the fire was 
extinguished, but not until many valuable papers among the records 
were destroyed. Coffey's store was set on fire, but the Rebels had in their 
excitement pjured out a barrel of black molasses, thinking it to be tar, and 
this did not burn very well, besides which Mrs. Coffey had just been wash- 
ing, and the wet clothes were thrown over the burning portion, extinguish- 
ing the fire. The raiders did not stay long, departing early in the evening. 
The men they had captured were taken a short distance and then released. 
They returned in time to help save some of the burning buildings. During 
the entire lime the women behaved nobly. By their coolness they suc- 
ceeded in making the invaders believe an armed force was on the way from 
lola, therefore they hastened their departure. The land office had just 
been opened, with J. C. Burnett, Register. He managed to speak to his 
sister. Miss Kate Burnett, now Mrs. S. N. Simpson, telling her to save 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 23 

$25,000.00 in land warrants that were in the office. Obtaining permission 
to go to the office for a candle, she secured the warrants and dropped them 
on the prairie in the high grass Judge J. R. Goodin and his wife had 
been absent all day, gathering wild grapes, and were just apjiroaching the 
town from the west. The Judge jumped out of the vehicle and told his 
wife to drive away, but instead of this she went to Mrs. Thurston's resi- 
dence and aided in saving it. Numerous other heroic acts were performed 
bv the women. The better portion of the town was entirely destroyed. 
There were only a few buildings left, and some of these were badly dam- 
aged by the f^re. The only man killed was a farmer, Seachrist, who 
was running away trying to save his mules. He was ordered to stop, but 
not doing so, he was shot and fatally wounded. All the horses that could 
be found were taken by the Rebels. Besides this but little property was 
stolen, and outside the town no damage whatever was done. The Rebel 
force numbered 331 men who were all well mounted and thoroughly 
armed. 

After the burning of Humboldt it was considered to be in danger, and 
a military post was established there. There were no events of note until 
the Price raia in 1864, The militia of the county was organized into a 
battalion, known as the Allen County Battalion, and was composed of six 
companies, three from lola and the northern part of the county, two from 
Humboldt, and one from the extreme southern part of the county. The 
officers were: C. P. Twiss, Colonel: Watson Stewart, Major. Among the 
Captains were J. M. Moore and G. DeWitt of Humboldt, and D. C. New- 
man, of the southern part of the county. This regiment comprised all of 
the able bodied men in the county, between the ages of sixteen and sixty 
years. The militia force of the entire Neosho Valley were commanded by 
Major General J. B. Scott, of LeRoy, and under him the Allen County 
Battalion was ordered to Fort Scott. At the military post of Humboldt a 
block house was built, and a small force of the eleventh Kansas stationed 
there under command of Major Haas. Besides this force. Captains Moore, 
DeWitt and Newman, under command of Major Watson Stewart, were left 
to protect the town against invasion. All remained at Humboldt except 
Captain Newman's company, which acted as scouts and was stationed at 
Big Creek. Major Haas ordered this company to come to Humboldt, 
which Captain Newman refused to do. This gave rise to considerable 
difficulty between the two officers. Major Haas had charge of the govern- 
ment supplies of rations, etc., which he refused to issue to the Big Creek 
company until it should, remove to Humboldt. The stores were kept at 
the German Church, in charge o a Sergeant. Newman's company being 
out of rations Major Stewart made a requisition on the post commander for 
five day's rations for the corapan}- which was refused. Major Stewart then 
ordered the Captain to help himself to the rations and receipt to the Ser- 
geant. This was done, upon which Major Haas ordered Major Stewart 
and Captain Newman under arrest. It was impossible, however, to carry 
out this order, as the militia all took sides with their own officers. After 
the militia disbanded Captain Newman was arrested but was released the 



24 HISTORY OK AIJ.KN A.VU 

next day. After the companies under Major Stewart had remained in 
camp three weeks they were ordered to Ft. Scott, leaving Captain Newman 
and his company, and a few colored men under Captain E. Gilbert at the 
Humboldt post. During the entire period of the war there were a great 
many loyal Indians scattered over the county, they having been driven 
from the Indian Territory by the Indians who were in sympathy with the 
rebels. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 25 



(Ihivtv^^fivc l^cars of ipcacc 



Nearly all the early settlers of Allen county wei'e young men and 
women, full of energy and ambition and hope, and with the return of peace 
they came back to the long deserted towns, to the weed grown farms, and 
bravely set themselves to build up the waste places, to repair the ravages of 
war and enforced neglect. With them came hundreds of other, many of 
them ex-Union soldiers, attracted by the heroic record the State had made 
duing the war and in the long period of border warfare that preceded it, and 
by the opportunity to secure free homes under the homestead and pre- 
emption laws. With ceaseless indu.stry and indomitable pluck the old 
settlers and the new comers applied themselves to the herculean task of 
subduing the fertile but rebellious soil and building up schools and 
churches and all the institutions of a free, self-governing community. The 
statistics presented elsewhere show the rapidity with which this work was 
accomplished. 

As in most of the other counties of Kansas, one of the first things to 
engage the attention and excite the feeling of the people was a fight over 
the county seat. As has been already stated, Cofachique was designated 
as the fir.st county seat by the legislature which organized the county. The 
first Free State legislature removed the county seat to Humboldt, and it 
remained there until after the war. It had to fight for the honor, however, 
almost from the beginning. The first battle occurred March 25, i860, when 
the matter was submitted to a vote of the people, lola being the principal 
competitor. Humboldt people proved to be the best voters, however, 
ca.sting (so the envious lolans declared at the time) twice as many votes as 
they had legal electors. The returns showed 562 votes for Humboldt, 331 
for lola, 72 for Vernon, 4 for Center, and 2 for Cofachique, so Humboldt 
retained the prize. For the next four or five years, the people had other 
things to think of. But as soon as the war was over the agitation was 
resumed and on May 10 of that year another election was held resulting as 
follows: lola 243, Geneva 35, Humboldt 2 and Vernon 2. The county 
seat was accordingly removed to lola, where it has since remained. Prior 
to this l^.st election the legislature had moved the south line of the county 
some four miles north of the original location, thus throwing into Neosho 
county a considerable territory whose settlers would otherwise have voted 
for Humboldt. This fact, together with the fact that the .southern part of 
the county was not so thickly settled as the northern portion and that a 
considerable number of the citizen of Humboldt and vicinity had not yet 
returned from the army, doubtless accounted for the large preponderance 
of the votes in favor of Tola. The contest engendered a great deal of bitter- 



26 IIISTUKV UK ALLEN AND 

uess at Uie time and the feeling continued tor many years afterwards. It 
gradually abated, however, and now, happily, little if any of the old 
antagonism remains. 

\Vhei! the county seal was removed to lola loo lots were donated by 
the t')wn company to the county to aid in the erection of public buildings. 
In July, 1866, bonds were \oted to raise funds to procure a court 
house, and a fninie building, located at the southwest corner of Washing- 
ton and Jackson avenues, where Shannon's hardware store now stands, was 
purchased from George J. Eldridge and fitted up for the use of the county 
officers. This building was used until 1877 when the present court house 
was bought for $i8jo and the old one sold for $500 to the school district. 

In 1868 $10,000 in bonds were voted to build a jail, and the stone 
structure still in use was erected the following year at a cost of $8400. 

In November, 187 1, a tax was voted of $5000 to purchase and fit up a 
poor farm. On February 12, 1872, a tract of land consisting of 160 acres 
in Carlyle town.ship vvas bought from David p-unkhouser for twenty-five 
dollars an acre, and Dr. J. \V. DriscoU was installed as the first keeper. 

The most notable event of the years immediately following the war was 
the coming of the railroads. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas vvas the first to 
arrive, building down the right bank of the Neosho and reaching Humboldt 
April 2, 1870. To secure this road the city of Humboldt voted $75,000 in 
bonds and a few of its citizens bought for $1,^000 160 acres of land (a fairly 
good price considering the fact that there were then thousands of acres of land 
in the county to be had from the Government for the taking! )in order to pro- 
vide the road with depot facilities and right of way. The price was not 
thought to be too great, however, for the luxury of a railroad, and the com- 
pletion of the track was celebrated with elaborate rejoicings. A few 
months later the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston. (now the Southern 
Kansas division of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe) railroad entered 
the county from the north, and its arrival also was celebrated at lola and at 
Humboldt with much "pomp and circumstance", and there vvas no sugges- 
tion that the $125,000 in bonds which the county had voted to secure it was 
too high a price to pay. 

Those were "the good old days" in Allen county. New .settlers were 
coming in every day, money was plenty, crops for the most part were good 
and prices high. Various manufacturing enterprises were undertaken, the 
mostnotableof which perhaps was the King's Iron Bridge Company, to secure 
which the city of lola voted $[00,000 in bonds. Nobody seemed to think 
it incongruous or impossible that an industry which must import from long 
distances at high rates of freight both its fuel and its raw material and 
which was to manufacture a product for which there vvas no market, should 
be located here. And so the Company went to work in the summer of 1871 
built enormous shops (now constituting the first floor of the main building 
of Works No. i of the Lanyon Zinc Company) brought in and set up 
expensive machinery and actually built a bridge or two. It failed, of 
course, and after a year or two moved its machinery to Topeka where 
another bonus was secured. But it made things hum at lola while it lasted. 



WOODSON COrxTIKS, KAXSAS. 27 

For awhile town lots were held at enormous prices, and land adjoining the 
town was sold at figures which were not reached again for nearly thirtv 
years. Of course the bottom fell out when the sliops were removed, and 
the only pleasant thing to remember now in connection with the King's 
Iron Bridge Company is that the courts declared the $100,000 bonds voted 
to secure it forfeited, and that the building which it erected was ot material 
assistance a quarter of a century later in securing the location of an industr\- 
which is a benefit and a pride to the entire countx . 

The collapse of the local boom resulting from the withdrawal of the 
Bridge Company, was followed by the general panic of 1873, and that was 
followed by the drouth and the grasshoppers, — one disaster follc:)uing harci 
upon the heels of another. The people would have soon recovered from the 
collapse of the boom, if the panic had not struck them; the panic would 
not have hurt them much, if the drouth had not come; the drouth would 
soon have been forgotten if it had not been for the grasshoppers. But col- 
lapse and panic and drouth and grasshoppers all together hit us hard, 
bringing a long period of business prostration and actual destitution that 
will never be forgotten by those who passed through it. Only one other 
period in the history of the county can be comparetl with it, and that was 
the year of the terrible drouth, 1860, and that was worse only because there 
were fewer people and they felt more keenly their isolation and distress. 

As has been already stated, the collapse of the boom, the panic and 
the drouth, although bad enough, could have been endured. It was the 
grasshoppers that brought the people to their knees, helpless and well 
nigh hopeless. These pests appeared first in August, 1874. Coming in 
countless miriads, their gossamer wings fairly veiling the sun in their 
flight, they settled down upon the fields and within a month the scanty 
crop that remained after the unusual drouth of the summer was devoured. 
Not the green things only, such as the melons, pumpkins and all the veg- 
etables of the garden, but the dry blades of the standing corn and all the 
other field crops were destroyed. One who has not seen it cannot conceive 
how completely this avalanche of locusts swept the country of everything 
in the nature of vegetation. The result was that hundreds of families found 
themselves facing the winter with nothing to support the lives of themselves 
or of their animals. And so many of them sold their property for the little 
it would bring under such circumstances and left the county, while nianv 
others were forced to the humiliating necessity of accepting the "Aid" that 
came in response to the call that went out from Kansas for help. Societies 
were organized for the relief of the needy, and the county commissioners 
appointed Robert Cook and I. C. Cuppy togoto Ohio and Indiana and solicit 
food and clothing. Some of the later settlers in Allen county think they 
have occasionally seen hard times here; but they dont know anything about 
it! In lola the small frame building (then one of the largest in town,) 
owned by J. W. Scott on the corner now occupied by DeClute's clothing 
store, was rented by the commissioners for use as an "aid depot," and the 
writer of this remember well how the dejected farmers, driving scrawny 
horses, hitched often with rope harness to dilapidated wagons, used to 



2S HISTORY OF AI.LKN AND 

drive up to that store through the dreary fall ami winter of 1S74 to have the 
little jag of "aid," as it was called, doled out to them, shamefacedly carry- 
ing home the few pounds ot bear.s and corn meal and bacon that was to 
keep their families from starvation. That is what the old settlers mean 
when they talk about hard timesi There was only one alleviation, and 
that was the prairie chickens! Whether they came because of the food 
supply furnished by the grasshojipers. or whether the>' were sent as the 
(juail were sent to the famishing Israelites in the wilderness it is not the 
province of sober history to speculate upon; but that they did come, and in 
unprecedented numbers, is indisputable. And they were exterminated! 
The people having nothing else to do, and in desjjerate need of the food 
they supplied and of the money they commanded on the market, trapped 
and shot them ceaselessly and without mercy. That was the beginning 
of the end of the prairie chickens in Allen county. 

In the spring of 1S75, the people, those that were left, plowed and 
planted as usual, but the grasshoppers reaped. The eggs that had been 
deposited in the ground in the fall hatched out in relays through the spring 
and early summer, so that whenever a fresh crop appeared, there was a 
hesli army of grasshoppers ready for it. Having no ivings the young 'hop- 
pers swept on foot over the country, leaving behind them — dust! The wheat, 
the corn, even the prairie grass, every green blade oi any kind, went into 
the insatiable maw of this remorseless army . All through the spring and 
into the summer this continued, and the people were in despair. And then, 
one day, early in June, there was a shimmer of gossamer wings in the sun- 
light, as there had been the August before. The army was departing. 
Whither it went is as little known as whence it came. By the middle of 
the month the last of the innumerable host had disappeared. The people 
plowed and planted again, and providence smiled on their courage and per- 
severance. The early and the later rains came in their .season, and the 
crops raised were so phenomenal that in the plenty of i''^75. the want of 
1874 was well-nigh forgotten. 

In a self-governing community, economic conditions always influence 
strongly the political action of the people. Sometimes with, but oftener 
without reason, the party in power is held responsible for good times or for 
bad It is secure if times are good: and it is very insecure if times are 
bad. And so it happened in Allen County. From its organization, the 
county had been strongly Republican, and that party retained power al- 
most without an effort, until the panic and the drouth and the grasshop- 
pers came. And then, not perhaps because it caused these calamities to 
come, but because it was in power when they came — it had luuch trouble. 
Those who had been its strongest leaders, and many who had been its 
staunchest supporters in the prosperous days, deserted it. There was a 
tiiTie, in 1S74, when some, even of those who remained true to it, were so dis- 
mayed by the opposition against it, that they advised against putting a Re- 
publican ticket in the field. This timid counsel was rejected, and the bat- 
tle was fought, but after it was over, all the Republican party had left was 
honor and two minor county officers, the nearest to total defeat ever suf- 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 21) 

fered b\- that party in the history of the county. In that \ear Hon. John 
R. Goodin, of Humboldt, was elected to Congress on the "Reform ticket," 
the first man not a Republican to be elected to Congress from the Second 
District. 

For a number of years following the visitation of the grasshoppers, no 
events transpired of special importance or interest. A succession of aver- 
age crops soon rest )red noinal conditions and the people pursued the even 
tenor of their way, illustrating in the main the saying "happy is the people 
which has no history." There was a steady, although not a large stream 
of immigration, and the country gradually filled up with a splendid class of 
intelligent, self-respecting, law-abiding and industrious citizens. The his- 
tory that was made was chiefly that of the individual citizen, much ot 
which will be found in the biographical part of this work. 

In 1880, after a lively contest between Humboldt and lola as t(j which 
should gain the prize, a branch of the Missouri Pacific, at first known as 
the F~ort Scott, Wicliita & Western, was built through the county from east 
to west, pa.ssing through lola. and giving birth to the towns of LaHarpe 
and Moran. In 1888, the Kansas City & Pacific Railroad, (now a branch 
of the M. K. & T.) was built through the eastern part of the countv, cross- 
ing the Missouri Pacific at Moran and giving birth to the villages of Bay- 
ard, Elsmore and Savonburg. 

The years from 1882 to 1888, were marked by a great many deeds of 
violence, extending to even loss of life, and much litigation growing out of 
a dispute over the title to a large body of land in the eastern part of the 
county, mostly in the townships of Marmaton, Salem and Elsmore. These 
lands, many thousand acres in all, had been granted to and were claimed 
by the M. K. & T. , and the L. L. & G. Railroad companies, and nearly all 
of them had been sold to individual purchasers, although comparativelv 
few tracts were occupied by those holding the railroad title. The claim 
was made that the railroad companies had not complied with the conditions 
of the grant, and had. therefore, forfeited their rights to the lands. Acting 
on this opinion some three hundred men had entered upon the land, eacli 
one claiming a quarter-section as a homestead. These men formed an or- 
ganizadon known officially as "The Settlers Protective Association," but 
designated commonly as the "Land League." find began a strenuous con- 
test to make good their claim. Eminent attorneys were emploved and in 
many cases physical force was resorted to in the maintenance of what the 
settlers believed to be their rights. Fences built by those claiming under 
the railroad title, were destroyed, a number of houses were burned, two 
men lost their lives, and the growth of the entire county was materially re- 
tarded. Of course the matter got into the courts immediately , and for many 
years the "League cases" made up a considerable portion of the docket of 
the district court of Allen County. Case after case was carried to the higher 
courts, and it is only within the past year that final decision has been ren- 
dered in the last of them. To present all the details of the controversy would 
occupy a great deal ol space, and would serve no good purpose. Let it suf- 
fice to say in a general way, that the railroad title has been confirmed bv 



30 HISTORY OF ALLEX AN'T) 

the courts, and the recollection of the unfortunrite contest and the distress- 
ing events that grew out of it, is rapidly fading away. 

Allen County had a very light attack of the "boom" fever that was so 
virulent in many parts of the State during the 80s. A few spasmodic ef- 
forts were made to inoculate it with the virus, but it did not "take. " 
Neverthele.ss, the county suffered with the rest of the State when the bub- 
ble burst and the reaction came. From 1890 to 1895 things were very 
quiet, indeed. The towns made no growth to speak of, and the population 
of the county showed little if any increase, although those who were here 
added steadily, if slowly, to their acquisitions, and were every yearin some- 
what better circumstances than the year before. In 1895, however, owing 
to the discovery and development of the the natural gas field, an account of 
which is made the subject of a separatechapterof this book, and to the result- 
ing location of large manufacturing enterprises, the county began to gain 
rapidly in both population and wealth. From that time to the present the 
advancement has been most gratifying, and, there is is perhaps not a county 
in the State that is now enjoying a greater degree of universal prosperity. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3I 



^be first alan^ Cities 

Settlement commenced in Allen county before an acre of land had been 
surveyed, and while the Indian title was yet unextinguished, although 
treaties for its extinguishment were pending. About two thirds of the 
county on the north belonged to the New York Indians, and the remaining 
one-third to the Osages. In 1855 Joseph Ludley, with a party of surveyors 
began the survey of the standard parallels of the TeiTitory, finishing it 
February, 1856, with the Fifth standard parallel, crossing Allen county a 
little north of Humboldt. The township and range lines were run during 
this and the following summer, but the subdivison was not completed until 
thesummerof 1859. In the absence of definite "corners" there was naturally 
much uncertainty as to the boundary and extent of territory that could be 
rightfully claimed by individual settlers. The fir.st settlers located in or 
adjoining the timber, and while professing to hold but a quarter section 
often claimed a mile square. The Territorial legislature enacted that each 
settler might hold two quarter section, one of timber and one of prairie. 
This was directly contrary to the laws of congress and gave rise to much 
trouble. To remedy these evils so far as possible the settlers in this county, 
as eleswhere, organized among themselves a,ssociations 'whose business it 
was to settle disputed claims and protect each others rights. The decision 
of these tribunals was always prompt, nearly alwaj'S just and equitable, and 
very generally acquiesced in so that actual violence was seldom resorted to 
in the.se cases. 

In the summer of i860 the public lands in the county that had been 
surveyed were opened up for settlement and offered at public sale in Nov- 
ember of that year, the homestead law having not yet been passed. Owing 
to the great destitution that year amoung the settlers, resulting from the 
failure of the crops, but few vi-ere able to purchase their claims, and to pre- 
vent speculators from bidding them off at the sale large numbers of settlers 
were in attendance and in most cases succeeded in preventing the sale of 
lands on which settlement had been made. 

They were not always able to prev^ent such sales, however, and the two 
or three tragedies which darken the early pages of our county's history 
resulted from this failure. One of these cases was that of a young man 
named Winn who in i860 settled on a claim a few miles west of Humboldt, 
and without filing on it went to Missouri to work. During his absence a 
man named Harris went to the land office at Fort Scott and bought the 
land at private entry. When Winn returned and ascertained the facts he 
immediately procured a revolver and proceeded direct to Harris' hou.se, on 
Deer creek and demanded a conveyance of the land. Some altercation 



32 HISTORY OK ALLKX A.NMJ 

ensued and the two men started off together. Harris was found next day 
with a bullet hole through his head. Winn was arrested, charged with 
the crime. In the preliminary hearing before 'Squire Mattoon, of Geneva, 
he admitted the killing l)ut pleaded self-defense. He was held to bail, but 
popular sympathy was with him, and the war soon after breaking out, he 
enlisted in thearni}- and no trial ever took place. 

A similar tragedy came near being enacted between Anderson C. Smith 
and Anderson Wray, and for a similar rea.son. Wray bid off Smith's claim 
at the land sales at Fort Scott. Smith, who was at his place on Martin 
creek, heard of it late in the evening, and immediately mounted a pony and 
started for Fort Scott, swearing vengeance. He met Wray and his partj" 
in camp on Turkey creek about three or four o'clock in the morning, and 
without a word of warning or a moment's notice began firing at Wra^'. one 
or two shots taking effect before friends could interfere. Fortunately the 
wounds were not mortal. Wray recovered and the affair was afterwards 
amicably .settled. 

A number of .settlers had located on Osage Indian lands in the south 
part of the county before the Indian title was extinguished, and the Gov- 
ernment had ordered them to move off. The order was not obeyed to any 
great extent, and in several instances serious trouble with the Indians was 
narrowly averted. On September 29, 1865, however, a treaty with the 
Osages was finally concluded by the terms of which the white settlers then 
on the lands were permitted to enter 160 acres each at one dollar and twenty- 
five cents an acre. These lands were surveyed in i866-'7 and the settlers 
were enable under the treaty to secure a title to their homes in January, 
1868, after a residence on the part of some of eleven years. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 33 

Some of tbc **jru'5t" ^Ebimjs. 

The first school was opened in Humboldt in 1858, and was taught by 
S. W. Clark. 

The first wedding was that of George W. Young to Sarah Bennett, 
June 28, 1856. 

The first court in the county was held by Judge Cato, in November, 
1855, in Cofachique. He held another term in 1856. 

The first death was that of an Englishman named Broadbent, one of 
the Vegetarian colony, which occurred in June, 1856. 

The first postoffice was located at Cofachique in 1856, but a regular 
carrying route was not put on until the year following. 

Nimrod Hankins made the first assessment of the county in March, 
1857, finding taxable property to the amount of $3^,515.50. 

The first election was held at Cofachique, in the fall of 1856, seven 
votes being cast. Each voter paid a poll tax of one dollar before being per- 
mitted to vote. 

The first practicing physician who located permanently in the county 
was Dr. Burgess, who came in the summer of 1856, and took a claim two 
miles north of Humboldt. 

The legislature of 1855, known as the "bogus legislature," established 
slavery in Kansas by law, and it existed in Allen County in the first years 
of its history in fact, slaves being owned and held here by Henry Sater, 
Giles Sater, James Galbraith, a Mr. Hurlston and a Mr. Dunbar. Giles 
Sater was a free state man and soon set his slaves free. The other slave 
owners, finding the atmosphere unwholesome, returned after a short time 
to Missouri. 



34 IIISTORV OK ALr.KX AND 



Zbc IKcminisccncc of an Ql^ Settler. 

BY I. B. LAWYER 

Oil the ist day ot April, 1857, W. F. Brooks, William Boyd and I 
started from Solon Iowa to go to Kansas with our own conveyance,, two 
horses and a wagon. When we got to Leavenworth we met a man who 
had surveyed a townsite down on the Neosho, they named Lerov, so we 
struck out for the Xeusho River. From Leroy we came on the west side of 
the river to Neosho Falls, thence down to what was afterwards called Law- 
yer's P'ord, (.three miles north-west of now lola). There we camped on 
Saturday evening, and on Monday morning we hought a claim of Mr. Au- 
gustus Todd. The land had not as yet been surveyed into sections, and 
when the government survey was made, it was close to the line where Mr. 
Todd had figured. 

The next news that came was that the land belonged to the New York 
Indians, and that we would all have to leave. This was not cheerful news 
to me as I had bought out my partner's (Mr. Brooks), interest for some 
eight hundred dollars, and as time passed on the land was offered for sale 
at the Fort Scott land oftice and hardly any of us had sufficient money to 
hid in our land which was sold at the mercy ot the speculators. There 
were but few speculators present at the sale, and our land was not sold. 

We now had an opportunity to file on our land, with the privilege ol 
twelve months in which to pay for our homestead, and by the time I bought 
a land warrant from L. L. Northrup, (then running a store at Geneva), and 
at that time land warrants being under par, I procured my land from the 
government for a little kss than one dollar per acre. 

When J. R. Young and I went to the land office at Mapleton to prove 
up, darkness came on before we got home, and coming in on the east side 
of lola, we were stopped by the pickets, (lola being under guard to keep 
the rebels out), and passing through the line into town, we had to get the 
password to get out of town again, and whe'.i we got to my house we ran 
amuck another outpost; so you see we had some thrilling times even in 
free Kansas. 

I well rememl)er the first four acres of corn I raised in Kansas, and 
that was in 1857. I readily disposed of it the following spring for seed 
corn at $1.50 per bushel — ^Joe Colburn buying the last of it at $2.00 per 
bushel. The money those days in circulation was gold and silver, with a 
five-cent piece for the smallest change. 

It may be of interest to some people to know what kind of game we 
had, and, while I think of it I must tell you a joke on myself: One Sun- 



WOODSON' Col'NTlKS, KANSAS. 35 

day morning my wife and I were getting ready to go to J. R. Young's to 
eat some apples that he had brought from Missouri, and looking out the 
west window of the log cabin, I saw two deer in the brush. Not having 
any meat in the house, nor money to buy any, I, of course, thought of my 
rifle first thing, and picking same up dropped one of the deer, and tlie other 
deer stood there until I loaded my muzzle-loading rifle, and I dropped it 
too; but lo, when I reached the side of my game I found they botli had 
strings around their necks. Thej' were pets and had strayed away from 
their owner. Miss Fannie, daughter of Joe Parsons, (Jesse Parsons, now a 
resident of Chanute, was at the time a young man). They took it as a joke 
and said the deer had no l>usiness wandering so far from home, and for me 
to divide with my neighbors. I went home and, as luck would have it, 
Nimrod Hankins and Lawrence Arnold came to call on ns and helped me 
dress them. They were the only deer I ever killed. 

Wild turkey were abundant. I once saw twenty-six go to roost at the 
mouth of Deer Creek, and got one the following morning before breakfast. 

The log cabin we lived in was built by an Arkansas man and, of course, 
had an Arkansas chimney to it, built with .sticks above the fireplace, and 
daubed with mud; and, of course, it had to be repaired every fall. While 
inside that chimney repairing it one day, I saw some wild turkeys in a corn 
patch across the road. I went out and picking out one with a large head 1 
dropped him. I told my wife to go and get it, and we found that the ball 
had gone through the one I aimed for and crippled one more, so we had 
two turkeys that weighed twenty pounds apiece, and only two of us to eat 
them and, of course, we divided among the neighbors. I killed nine the 
first fall r was here, and some of them were plenty fat to fry themselves. 

Prairie chicken were plentiful. They would come off the prairie to the 
timber to sun them.selves on the dead trees, and I could shoot two or three 
of them before they would fly away. 

In the summer of 1857 I heard of a colony that had settled up on In- 
dian Creek, and heard they had started a town and named it Eureka, (1 sup- 
po.se they thought they had found it), so I concluded one Sunday morning 
I would ride up and see the town, and get accjuainted with some of the peo- 
ple. I found the place and found that the town consisted of a hole in the 
ground, (where they had been digging for water), and the people were 
camped along the creek. I rode across the creek to where there was a log 
cabin that a Mr. Fuqua had vacated, and I saw the people gathering 
toward the cabin, .so I rode up to it and a Mr. Spicer, (now of Geneva), 
and Dr. Stone were sitting on a log talking, and I asked tliem if there 
would be preaching there? They said no, it was to be Sabbath school. 
1 was wearing one of those two-story hats I had brought from the states, 
and they mistook me to be a preacher and asked me whether I was one. I 
told them no, but that I was a lawyer, but only by name, so there I was at 
my first Sabbath school in Kansas. Before I forget I must tell you that 
they afterwards changed the name of their town to Geneva. 

The first sermon I heard preached in Kansas was at the residence of 
Martin Brown, father of vSaihuel and Miss Ruth Brown, now of lola. It 



36 irisToKV OK ai,i.p;n and 

was on the farm now owned bj- Mrs. Robert Furdom. I have forgotten the 
man's name now that preached, but he belonged to the cokiny that first 
started Geneva. 

Some years after my wife and I went to Neosho Falls to camp meeting 
with an ox team and farm wagon, took a man along to take the oxen home, 
and we camped in the wagon until the meeting was ov-er. We had plenty 
with us to eat and sometimes entertained the preachers. I don't know but 
what we enjoyed the meetings about as well as though we had gone in the 
finest style. I attended quarterly meeting at Leroy, and was there for the 
9 o'clock love fea.st, traveling a distance of sixteen miles to get there. I 
have farmed it through drought, flood and gra.sshoppers and hail-storms, 
peace and war, and bountiful crops and failures; it would take many pages 
to tell it all, and I have been in many different states in the Union, and 
have even lived in Mis.souri, where the pure air of Heaven is contaminated 
with the fumes of whiskey; so that when I come over into Kansas, and the 
cars glide along over the beautiful prairies, it always seems to me as soon as 
I cross the State line, that I can smell the difference in the air we breathe. 
And, when it comes to genuine comfort, there is no place I have ever been 
where I would rather spend my remaining days or years than lola, Kansas. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



^be lecncb an^ Bar 

When Kansas was admitted into the Union as a State on January 29, 
1861, Allen countj' became a part of the fourth judicial district and vSoloii 
O. Thacher of Lawrence, became the judge of such district, and held the 
courts therein until October 1S64, when he resigned and D. P. Lowe of 
Ft. Scott was appointed to fill the vacancy, but Judge Lowe never held a 
term of court in Allen County. At the November election in 1864, D. M. 
Valentine of Ottawa was elected to succeed Judge Lowe and took the oflfice 
as judge of the fourth judicial district on January 8, iS6s. Judge Valentine 
held all the terms (jf the district court in Allen County during the years 
1865 and 1866 — the several terms commencing as follows: May i, 1865, 
October .-,0, 1865, April 30, 1866 and October 29, 1866. By an act of the 
legislature which took effect March 4, 1867, Allen County was taken from 
the fourth judicial district and placed in a new district then created and 
numbered seven, and it still remains in the seventh judicial district. 

The 7th judicial district, as first formed comprised the counties of 
Anderson, Allen, Neosho, Labette, Woodson and Wilson. Hon. Wni. 
Spriggs, of Garnett, Anderson county, was the first Judge of the new district. 
He was appointed by Governor Crawford March 4, 1867, and held the office 
until January 13, 1868. At the general election in November, 1867, Hon. 
John R. Goodin, of Humboldt, Allen county, was elected for a regular term 
of four years, and succeeded Judge Spriggs. Judge Goodin was re-elected 
in i87i,butin 1874 was elected to Congress and resigned the judgeship 
February i, 1875. Shortly thereafter Hon. W. H. Talcott, of Tola, Allen 
county, was appointed by Governor Osborn, to fill the vacancy caused by 
the resignation of Judge Goodin. At the general election in November, 
1875. Judge Talcott was elected for the term of four years beginning on the 
second Monday of January. 1875, and Honorable Peter Bell, of Woodson 
county, was elected for the "short term", that is to saj', the period inter- 
vening between the election of 1875 and the official canvass of the vote, and 
the beginning of the regular term on the second Monday of the following 
January. Judge Talcott was re-elected in 1879. At the general election in 
1883, Leander Stillwell who then resided at Osage Mission (now St. Paul) in 
Neosho Co., was elected Judge, and was re-elected in 1887, 1891, 1895 and 
1899. Upon the completion of his present term Judge Stillwell will have 
served twenty years on the bench of this district, a longer period of con- 
secutive service in that capacity than stands to the credit of any other man 
in the history of Kansas. 

With scarcely an exception the judges of this district have been 
men of character and ability. Among them all none has stood higher than 



^S ffrsTOKV OP ALtt'N' A.vn 

Judge O. M. \'aleiitiiic, wlio was promated from the district Iti the Supreme 
Bench upon which he served with great distinction for a full quarter of a 
century. Since his retirement trom the Ijcnch, he has been in the active 
practice of his profession as the head of one of the strongest law firms in 
Topeka. Although far advanced in years his memory is unimpaired, and 
the publishers of this history are glad to be able to include in this chajiter 
the following contribution from his still facile pen; 

SiiCiic Walcntinc't' IRccoUcctioits. 

The first term of the District Court which I held in Allen County was 
iield in Humboldt, which was then the county seat, in an old church, which 
had previously and during the latter jxtrt of the war been occupied by Union 
soldiers as barracks. At this term J. H. Campbell was the county attor- 
ney. J. C. Redfield, sheriff; George A. Miller, clerk, and John Francis, 
deputy sheriff and bailiff for the court. All the officers performed their du- 
ties faithfully, and 1 have never seen a more faithful officer than John Fran- 
eis. He was afterwards clerk of the District Court of Allen County, and 
has .since held several important offices, among which were the offices of 
county treasurer and state treasurer. There were present at that court the 
following attorneys: J. H. Campbell, Eli Gilbert, Chas, I'. Twiss.John R. 
Goodin, Qrlin Thurston, Nelson F. Acers, W. S. Newberry and Joseph 
Bond, all resideiits of Allen County, the la.st three being admitted to prac- 
tice during the term. Judge Lowe, of Fort Scott, G. W. Smith, of Law- 
rence, and John G. Lindsay- of Garnett also attended that term. All the 
aforementioned attorneys generally attended the courts afterwards held in 
Allen County, and also the following attorneys generally attended the sub- 
sequent terms; H. W. Talcott and Mr. Sechrist, residents of Allen County. 
Judge R. M. Ruggles, of Emporia, and Joel K. Goodin, of Ottawa, also at- 
tended at lea.st one term of the court in Allen County. Other attorneys may 
also have attended whom I do not now remember. 

Col. Thurston had previously been a state senator from Allen Counl\ , 
and Col. Twiss was then a .state senator from that county. John R. Goodin 
was afterwards judge of the Seventh Judicial District, including Allen 
County, and was afterwards a member of congress. H. W. Talcott was 
also later the judge of that district and county. Judge Lowe was after- 
wards judge of the Sixth Judicial District, and afterwards a member of 
congress. Nelson F. Acers was afterwards a United States collector of in- 
ternal revenue for Kansas. Joseph Bond was also at that time editor of the 
"Weekly Herald," a paper published at Humboldt. As above stated, the 
first term of court which I held in Allen County, was held at Humboldt; 
but the next three terms were held at lola, the county .seat having been 
removed from Humboldt to lola in the meantime. A grand jury was con- 
vened and had a session during the first term, which grand jury found 
and returned several indictments. 

During the terms of the District Court which I held in Allen County, 
many humorous incidents occurred. Among them a prosecution for illegal- 



AYOOBSON CorXTIES, KANSAS. 39 

ly selling intoxicating- liquor, was tried before a jury. The liquor sold was 
beer, and the defense was that the beer sold was not an intoxicating liquor. 
Evidence was introduced tending to show both that the beer was intoxicat- 
ing and that it was not intoxicating. Judge Gilbert was a witness in the 
case and testified tliat he had purchased several bottles of the beer, under a 
prescription from a physician, and had drunk the beer and that it did not in- 
toxicate him. The lawyers had considerable sport over this testimony, and 
one of them suggested that it was like the Dutchman, who said he could 
drink fifty or sixty glasses of beer without becoming intoxicated, but he did 
not know what effect it would have on a man if he should make a hog 0/ 
him.self. Judge Gilbert was a very good speaker before a jury. In one 
case he and Judge Ruggles each made an argument before the jury and 
while Judge Ruggles was an ex-judge of the Fifth Judicial District and an 
eminent lawyer, yet some of the lawyers who heard the argument expressed 
the opinion that Judge Gilbert made fully as good an argument as Judge 
Ruggles, if not a better one. The lawyers also had considerable sport over 
the manner in which Judge Gilbert talked to litigants who wished to em- 
ploy him to make an argument before a jury. The lawyers stated that 
Judge Gilbert informed the litigants that he would make ju.st a common 
speech to the jury for $25.00; that he would make a good speech for $50.00. 
but if they wanted him to make one of his " hell-roarin" speeches, they 
must pay him $100.00. Judge Gilbert had a few favorite phrases which he 
liked to repeat to juries. One was. in illustrating the purity or honesty of- 
a person, or the reverse, he would say that he or she was or was not "As 
pure as the icicle from the purest snow on Diana's temple," or would some- 
times vary this by saying that he or she was or was not "As pure as the 
purest snow on Alpine Heights." Col. Thurston also showed ability in 
trying cases. In one of his cases, which was for a breach of promise of 
marriage, in which he was for the plaintiff, and showed a great deal of feel- 
ing, he tried it extraordinarily well, and made an excellent speech to the 
jury. The jury found a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $3,500 which, 
under the circumstances, the defendant not being a wealthy man, was con- 
.sidered a liberal verdict. At one time while the District Court was in ses- 
sion, a preliminary e.Yamination was had out of court before a justice of the 
peace, in which the defendants were charged with murder in the first de- 
gree. It was claimed that two or three persons had been guilty of stealing 
horses in that community, and that some of the people of the community 
had hanged them until they were dead. The persons charged with doing 
the hanging were then charged with murder. Judge G. W. Smith de- 
fended them. Among his suggestions was that the persons killed had, af- 
ter stealing the horses, been stricken with remorse and that they had 
hanged themselves, but in reply to this, it was suggested that that was im- 
possible for all the persons hanged had their hands tied behind them when 
they were hanged. But Judge Smith replied, as he said a Dutch justice in 
Pennsylvania, where he came from once replied, when it was suggested 
that a person assaulted who had lost his nose in the encounter, had bitten 
it ofi himself; and the other side suggested that that was impossible. But 



40 {flSTDKY OF AI.I.KN AXU 

Ihe Dutch justice replieti that nothing was impossible "niit Got." During 
one of the terms of court wliich I held in Allen County, a person who was 
admitted to the bar, furnished to the bench and bar an oyster supper with 
the etceteras, and the beiich and bar generally attended and seemed to en- 
joy it and to have a good and jovial time. Many stories were told by mem- 
bers of the bar, and Judge John R. Goodin, who was a good singer, sang 
some good songs; but, to the credit of the Allen County Bar, I will state 
that no one of them appeared to become intoxicated. At the term of court 
held at Humboldt, an indictment was found against George W. Stamps for 
murder in the first degree. He was tried at that term and at the next 
term for this offense, and the jury at each trial disagreed. The evidence 
tended to show that he was a Union soldier, and during the war he had 
killed a man in that county who claimed to be and was a rebel sympathizer, 
and in those days it was difficult to obtain a verdict of guilty from any jury 
under such circumstances. At the third term he pleaded guilty of man- 
slaughter in the first degree and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment 
in the penitentiary. He was then permitted to travel over the county to 
obtain signers to a petition for his pardon. He obtained a very large num- 
ber of signatures to his petition and carried it himself to the governor at 
Topeka and obtained a pardon. He was never taken to the penitentiary. 
During the terms of the District Court which I held in Allen County many 
other humorous incidents occurred, which have now passed from my mem- 
ory . 

During those early times we had but few law books in Allen County. 
We had the Kansas Statutes, including the session laws and the compiled 
laws of 1862. We also had Swan's Pleadings and Precedents, Nash's 
Pleadings and Practice, Chitty's Pleadings, Blackstone's Commentaries, 
Kent's Commentaries, Parsons on Contracts, Greenleaf's Evidence, Whar- 
ton's Criminal Law, Wharton's Precedents of Indictments and Pleas, and 
a few others. We had very few of the reports of adjudicated cases. _ The 
first volume of the Kansas Reports was not published until about the close 
of the year 1864, and the succeeding volumes came later. The lawyers, 
however, in those days discussed the questions which they presented to 
the courts and juries, more upon general principles and the law as stated 
in the text books, and less with regard to decisions as found in the reports 
of adjudicated cases than they do now. 

At that time, which was just at the close of the war of the rebellion, 
there was a greater percentage of criminal cases, as compared with civil 
cases than there is now; and the percentage of prosecutions for assaults 
and batteries, assaults with intent to kill or injure, and for murder and 
manslaughter, was also much greater then than now. With these ex- 
ceptions the business of the Courts of Allen County in those days was 
very similar to the business of the courts in that county at present. 

D. M. Valentine. 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 4t 

IbuiubolCt Xawficie priov to ISSO. 

BV HON. L. W. KEPLINGER 

In all that engaged public interest, or went to make up her early his- 
tory, whether it were an incipent county seat contest, an election to vote 
bonds to aid railroads or build machine shops, or a scheme to evade such 
bonds already voted, the lawyers of Allen County were conspicuously at 
the front. To preserve their names in history, and more especially to trans- 
mit to future generations of .Allen County lawyers the memory of their pre- 
decessors who, during and prior to the seventies, drove angling across the 
unfenced quarter sections, of which it was composed, to talk politics in 
school houses, or try lawsuits before justices on the open prairie, is the ob- 
ject of this article. 

Strongly marked characters, full of ambition, for the most part of ex- 
ceptfional ability, schooled and moulded by the conditions which prevailed 
during the civil war, if not actual participants in that great strife, the law- 
yers of Allen County, during the period referred to, were a most interesting 
body of men. No one who knew them will doubt that men like J. R, 
Goodin, Orlin Thurston, J. Q. A. Porter, H. C. Whitney, G. P. Smith, J. 
C. Murray, J. B. F. Cates and H. M. Burleigh, fall easily in the class of 
those who, as congressmen and senators, or in other fields of effort, have at- 
tained distinction. 

The presence of the United States land office at Humboldt made that 
point the chief center of attraction for lawyers who came to Allen County. 
I was better acquainted with those who came there, and it is of the Hum- 
boldt lawj^ers I shall now speak. 

Orlin Orlin Thurston, who came from Ohio about the year 1857, 

Thurston, was the mo.st forceful character of the group, and the one 
most capable of influencing the community in which he lived, 
had his disposition been somewhat different. He was at one time during 
the war colonel of a regiment of State militia, which rendered efficient ser- 
vice on the border during the summer and fall of 1861. He was of medium 
height, strong physique and most resolute purpose, thoroughly practical and 
little swayed by sentiment. He was a most excellent judge of men and af- 
fairs, and never failed to impress others with confidence in his judgment 
and sagacity. As a speaker, though not an orator, he was earnest, forcible 
and impressive. He gave his attention largely to business affairs, outside 
of law, and seldom appeared in court. He once represented his district in 
the State senate, but his peculiarities of temperament and disposition debar- 
red him from the high career for which his strong qualities so eminently 
fitted him. 

His general deportment was that of a person of distinction. All old 
timers will remember the Colonel's stately going with driver and coach to 
and from his river-bank home, atmosphered as it was with unsavory legend, 
aristocratic and repellent. 

Few men ever so little cared for, sought after, or received the general 
good will of the public, especially in his later years. At the same time, 



42 rnsTORY of Ar,r.EN and 

aiuoiij; those he considered his friends, he was the most courteous, genial 
and obliging of men. I am full\ persuaded some people thought ill of him 
because they disliked him vastly more than they disliked him because of 
any evil there was in him. To a very great extent, at least, the trouble 
was he was too much of the Corialanus type. If ever he broke a pledge, 
or spcjke the word that was not true, the writer who was closely connected 
with him for years, is ignorant of the fact and he now lifts his hat to the 
memory of his friend and former law partner, Colonel Orlin Thurston. 

John R. Here was a remarkable man, equally at ea.se in the presence 

GooDiN. of president or bootblack: good company for both and well inter- 
ested in either. He was certainly the most companionable of 
men. l''ew men, and no Kansan, ever had more of the elements of per- 
sonal popularity. Referring to his engaging manner, a client who had just 
come from paying him a fee, remarked in my hearing: " It just does me 
good to pay that man money." He was neither a mone\'-maker nor a 
money-saver. Utterly incapable of close application: never a student: he 
possessed to a remarkable degree the faculty of assimilating the researches 
of others. He never read a book so long as he could find any one to talk 
to, and this was always easy for so brilliant a conversationalist to do. At 
the same time and without the slightest effort, with both tongue and pen he 
framed most exquisitely worded sentences. The chance remark of a juror 
t)n one occasion called forth a half-dozen impromptu verses, which speedih' 
found their way through the eastern press. I noticed them in the editor's 
drawer of Harper's Magazine some j'ears later. 

He was a man of consummate tact, clear head, sound judgment and 
commanding presence. He specially excelled as a speaker. He did not 
orate, he just talked. But such talkl Imagine a Wendell Phillips, and the 
writer has heard Phillips, less learned, less cultured, more florid, in short 
more western, more given to anecdote, abounding in familiar illustrations 
and local reference, engaged in animated conversation with his audience, 
with an occasional and .sometimes a prolonged rise to the impassioned, and 
you have Goodin, the orator. 

Although a Democrat living in a district which was unanimously Re- 
publican, he was kept on the bench term after term until elected to con- 
gre.ss in 1874, in a district in which his partj' was largely in the minority. 
Failing of re-election he resumed the practice of law at Humboldt. In the 
later seventies he was a candidate for governor on the opposition ticket but 
was unsuccessful. Judge Goodin was born at Tiffin. Ohio, December 
14, 1836. He received his education at Kenton, Ohio, and came to Hum- 
boldt in the spring of 1S59. He remained at Humboldt until 1883 when he 
removed to Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kansas, where he remained in 
the practice of law until his death, which occurred in December, 1885. 

Eli Though not quite so early an arrival in Allen County, Eli 

Gilbert. Gilbert came we.st so early his eastern origin didn't count at all. 
He originated in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1821, and after- 
wards came to the then frontier in Iowa, where he remained until 1839 



WOODSON COITNTIES, KANSAS. 43 

when he came to Allen County. He, also was an orator, though not of the 
Wendell Phillips type, and for several years, over a wide extent of territory, 
his peculiar frontier oratory was largely a substitute for law libraries. 

To a new-comer and prospective client who wished his services, not to 
assist in the trial, but because of his reputed influence over juries, he thus 
grav-ely gave rates. " For a few sensible remarks I charge $10.00; for a 
speech $15.00: but one of my regular ' hell-roarers' will cost you $25.00." 
It may be added, however, tliat whichever variety was contracted for, it 
was the last mentioned which was always forthcoming. 

To the eternal envy of all future Allen County lawyers, let one inci- 
dent in Judge Gilbert's career be reserved from oblivion. The necessities of a 
case required that the jury should be convinced the prosecuting witness 
had bitten off his own ear. The Judge's eloquence rose to the occasion. 
Verdict, "not guilty." He was kindly disposed toward all men, convivial, 
full of jokes, stories and remiaisceuces, especiilly of a per-onal nature. 
Shakespeare's most pleasing character, who was in some respects a feeble 
imitator of the Judge, will never know how lonesome he has been all these 
years until Eli Gilbert comes to swap auto-biographies with him in the land 
of shade. 

Judge Gilbert was at one time Probate Judge of Allen County, He 
also represented his district one term in the legislature, where he voted lor 
the right man for United States Senator and, as a consequence, received an 
appointment as Receiver of the United States L,and Office, in the western 
part of the state. He is now uearing his end at Lawrence, Kansas, and all 
who ever knew him will wish him well. 

John John Porter, who came from Ohio in 1867, had left 

Q. A. PORTEK. Kansas about one year before I came. He was elected to 
the legislature in 1868 and, at the close of his term, for 
some mysterious reason, he never returned to Allen County. To this day, 
however, tradition assigns him a foremost place among the young men of 
promise and ambition who came to this country at the close of the war. 
He returned to Cincinnati, where he still continued to practice at one bar 
too many, which resulted in the usual wreck. In 1883 Porter came to 
Kansas City proposing to locate there. Instead he went to Albuquerque, 
New Mexico, where he was soon after found dead in the office of one of his 
old time Humboldt friends, then residing in that city. 

J. B. F. Here was an innovation. All others named came from north of 

Cates. the Mason and Dixon Line, but J. B. F. Cates came from the moun- 
tains of East Tennessee Having neglected to change politics 
when he crossed the political equinox, he Jet politics alone when he came 
to Kansas and gave his attention exclusively to law. He settled at Hum- 
boldt in 1867 and remained there in the practice of his profession until 1S78, 
when he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he speedily took rank 
among the foremost lawyers of that city. He continued in the practice 
there until 1884, when for some reason, for which he has never been able 
to give a satisfactory excuse, either to himself or his friends, he gypsied 



44 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

away to Florida where he abandoned Greenleaf and Black.stone and be- 
came the man with the hoe. After exchanging several thousand dollars 
for a good stock of orange grove experience, he gravitated back to his first 
love, Kansas, and the Seventh Judicial District. Settling teinporarilv in 
Fredonia, he dividevl liis time bet.veen Kansas and Oklahoma, after which 
he came to Chanute, where he now resides within gunshot of old Allen, in 
which he will eventually be found. Being neither dead or othervvi.'^e ab- 
sent, but still on the ground, delicacy forbids that freedom of treatment, 
the subject of this sketch would otherwise receive from his former as.sociate, 
law partner and admiring friend. However, this much shall be said, 
though possibly not equal to some others in s )me respects, yet as an all- 
round lawyer, both in intellectual acumen and legal learning and skill as 
a practitioner, he easily stands the peer of any who came either before or 
after. The writer freely accords him the honor of being the best lawyer and 
worst [lennian in tlie whole grou]i. 

H. C. II. C. Whitney came to Humboldt at the close of the war. 

WniTNKY. Of all the lawyers who came to Allen County Whitney was 

the most ambitious and the writer, who was on close terms of 

intimacy with him, is still of the opinion that in man\- respects his abilitv 

justified his ambition. 

Prior to the war a young attorney of one of the outlying counties in 
E^istern Illinois, he was what might be termed a local partner of Lincoln. 
He evidently had the confidence of Lincoln,, and almost every biography of 
Lincoln contains correspondence between them. 

He was paymaster in the army during the civil war. At its close 
he came to Kansas for the purpose of becoming Congressman, Uni- 
ted States Senator and afterwards President of the United States. He was 
a man of phenomenal memory. The world is indebted to Mr. Whitney for 
one of Lincoln's famous speeches, the one delivered at Bloomington. Illi- 
nois, in 1856, which was reproduced by Whitney from longhand notes taken 
by himself. 

More than any man I ever knew, he was familiar with public affairs 
and public men. There was scarcely a man of prominence in the North 
during the Civil War whom he had not met and with whom he was not 
actually acquainted. Once alter Thurston had returned from a trip East, 
he made this criticism: "When Thurston goes Kast he never meets anybody 
but hotel clerks and porters." It was never that way with Whitney. 
Whitney's appearance and manner were far from being pleasin^:, especially 
to strangers. In this respect there was the strongest contrast between him 
and Goodin. He was at one time in the State Senate but being unsuccess- 
ful in politics he removed to Chicago about '75 or '76 and entered the practice 
of law in that city with W. B. Scates former Chief Justice of Illinois. He 
seemed to succeed exceptionally well for some years, but in the midst of a 
divorce trial in which his client was one of the leading bankers ot the city, 
he was all but fatally wounded in the head by a pistol shot fired by the 
opposing wife. It was years before he recovered and he never resumed his 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 45 

practice. Though by no means an orator, lie was an exceptionally fluent 
and forcible speaker and writer. Since quitting the law practice he has 
written a work on marriage and divorce. Also a most interesting life of 
Lincoln of several hundred pages. He is now living somewhere in Massa- 
■chusetts. 

Thom.as L- Bj-rne was another of those stTiking characters w'hom to 

BvRNE. have known briefly was to remember for ever. Light com- 
plected, flaxen haired, pale blue eyes, lithe as a cat, of most 
nimble wit, one of the kind that could keep the table in a roar, and with 
temper nimbler still. He came to Humboldt in 1868. I recall one incident 
which characterizes the man. Driving up to lola in a hack Goodin and 
Gilbert were regaling later arrivals such as BjTue, Barber and mj'self with 
stories of more primitive times. Finally Byrne broke in "Pshaw, that's 
nothing. Do you see that hill over there?" pointing to the Dave Parsons 
Hill south of Elm Creek whose demolition for cement purposes now 
furnishes employment for hundreds of men, "When I first came to Allen 
County that hill was nothing but a hole in ground." 

BjTne was alwaj-s prominent and quite active in all public affairs. 
His family consisted of a wife, a most estimable lad}' of culture and refine- 
ment, and several children to all of whom he was devotedlj- attached. In 
the spring of '71 without warning he dropped from sight and for no con- 
ceivable reason, and from that day to this "What became of Bj-rne? " has 
been a mystery which remains to be solved in generations to come by some 
literary genius of Allen County who chooses to interweave in thrilling 
romance the .stirring .scenes and picturesque characters of Allen County's 
earh' days. 

H. M. Here too was romance. The son of Matthew Hale Smith, 

Burleigh, a writer of national distinction, he disliked the name for .some 
rea.son and changed Smith for Burleigh. Though rather 
young for the position he served during the war on the staff of some corps 
commander, Burnside, I think, in the army of the Potomac with the rank 
of Major. His appearance was striking, of medium height, spare and 
straight, dark visaged, wicked twinkling black eyes, brisk, alert, with air 
and bearing sugge.stive of dash, rattle of sword and scabbard and jingle of 
spur, always neatly attired, in cold weather with a military cloak with the 
•cape jauntily thrown back to exhibit a trifle of its red flannel lining, such 
was the appearance of the man. 

One picture of Burleigh I shall never forget. An editor by an injudic- 
ious application of an epithet to a newly arrived lawyer converted the writer 
hereof into a prosecuting witness, and him.self into a defendant, in a crim- 
inal libel suit. Upon the trial Burleigh, who in addition to being County 
Attorney, was an excellent reader, for one solid hour read in evidence from 
Dickens to a jury of Allen county farmers, and from that day to this no 
Allen county editor has ever called an Allen county lawyer "Uriah Heap". 

Burleigh was an accomplished gentleman, somewhat literary, much 
above the average as a talker and very fair as a lawyer. Soon after the 



46 HISTORV OF AIJ.EX AND 

incident referredto he went to Atliol, Massachusetts, where he practiced law 
(or some years. Then came an interregnum of mysterious disappearance 
coupled with piratical and sentimental romance. Afterwards he reappeared 
and practiced law in Athol until a few years since when he was found dead 
in his office. 

G. I^. Strongl\' touched with genius, versatile and visionary, active 

Smith and energetic, fearless and tireless, audaciously aspiring and thirsty 
for prominence and notoriety, of verj- e.Kceptional ability as speaker 
and writer, such was Colonel G. P. Smith. Probably no man was ever 
more on the alert for an opportunity to rise and address his fellow citizens, 
and few could do so on short notice with more credit. Lack of continuity, 
both as to occupation and locality, was his most notable characteristic. 
Ohio, Virginia, Eastern Illinois, Middle Illinois, Humboldt, Fredonia and 
back to Ohio. Doctor, soldier, editor, lawyer and farmer, doctor and 
farmer, editor, lawyer and always a politician, such was his hi.story. His 
career was strenuous, stormy and eventful. In '56 he was a leading spirit 
in organizing a Fremont Club in Wheeling and during the fall of that year 
he made an aggressive campaign in West Virginia. On one occasion an 
attempt was made to lynch him but he was rescued by friends though not 
until he had disabled several of his assailants with his knife. 

In '61 Lincoln app inted him collector of customs at Puget Sound, but 
the outbreak of the war offered employment more to his liking and he 
declined the appointment. Aide-de-camp on the staff of General Rosecrans 
with rank of Captain, Major of the 69th and Colonel of the 129th Illinois, 
such was his army career and in each of these positions his energy, force of 
character and courage won for him distinction. 

After the war he edited the Journal at Jacksonville, Illinois, for several 
years. In 1869 he settled in Humboldt, Kansas, as lawyer and farmer. 
Through the seventies he alternated in rapid succession between law, med- 
icine, farming, editorial work and politics and in fact at times combined all 
five. Though fond of mingling with people he was at the same time an 
indefatigable student of general literature, political economy and kindred 
subjects as well as philosophy. No hard day's work on the farm or in the 
office was ever tiresome enough to send him to bed before midnight when 
he had a good book to read, and he never read an inferior book. He held 
it to be the most inexcusable waste of time to read a good book when one 
better could be had. One of his poems entitled "The Gods and I are at 
Strife", written in moments of depression after the death of an idolized and 
ouly daughter and his phenomenally gifted son Byron, and after the 
utter failure of all his plans, may still be seen occasionally in the newspapers. 

His special excellence was as a campaign orator and as such he was 
always in demand. In '64 together with Ingersoll then unknown to fame, 
he campaigned over Northern Indiana. In '71 he represented his district 
in the State Legislature. As candidate for State Auditor he canvassed the 
State some yea'rs later but was on the wrong ticket. In about '85 he 
returned to his starting point in Eastern Ohio where he soon after died. 



^TOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 47 

L. W. Bjni in Morgan county, Illinois, in August, 1841, raised 

Keplinger on a farm, entered the army in August 1861, present with 
Company A of 32nd Illinois (of which John Berry of Erie 
Kansas, was afterward Captain) at the capture of Fort Donelson and 
wherever else the army of the Tennessee won glor\ , including the march to . 
the sea and the gr.ind review at Washington; mustered out in September 
1865. He was a private until three days after the battle of Hatchie River, 
then first Sergeant until January 1865, then Second Lieutenant until 
mustered out. From the time ot receiving his commission until mustered 
■out he was on staff dut\' -^s acting adjutant, or as aide de-camp on the staff 
of General W. W Belknap of the Iowa Brigade. He graduated at Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington, Illinois in 1868; then with Major J. W. 
Powell's "exploring expedition" in Colorado; with Powell and W. N. 
Byers, then editor of the Rocky Mountain News, and some others made 
the first ascent of Long's Peak in August 1868, read law at Bloomington, 
Illinois, admitted to bar in December i86g, had trunk packed for Kansas in 
time to have been there before the close of '69 but was detained until a few 
weeks later by sickness of a relative, was therefore constructively present 
and one ot the sixties, opened office in Humboldt early in 70, first in 
partnership with G. P. Smith; then with Orlin Thurston: then with J. B. 
F. Gates; trom '83 in partnership with J. R. Goodin at Wyandotte, now 
Kansas City, Kansas, until Gooiin's death in '85, since that time and now 
in practice with Hon. C. F. Hutchings at Kansas City, Kansas. He was in 
the Legislature in 1877. Such is the history of the subject of this sketch. 
Keplinger was as different from each one of those heretofore mentioned 
as they were from each other. He was not convivial. He liked to be with 
books rather than with people. He shunned rather than sought after 
prominence. He had a horror of being called on to make a speech. He 
regarded sentiment as of pai'amount consideration and he sought to make 
up in earnestness and industry what was lacking in grace or eloquence. 
He brought with him to Kansas an uncertain quantity of political aspira- 
tion which however was hampered with the notion (which he still enter- 
tains) that the office should seek the man. After years of waiting, a little 
measly office that no one else in the party wanted, sought him. He was 
permitted to write his own platform. He put in this plank "When bad 
men secure nominations the mistakes of conventions should be corrected at 
the polls." The rest of the ticket was elected and Keplinger was defeated. 
But he had his revenge a few months later when the candidate on the State 
ticket at whom that plank in the platform was especially hurled, became a 
sudden inhabitant of South America But all the same the State never 
recovered the bonds he ran off with. 

For all that, however, and though now a resident of Wyandotte 
county, he accords Allen the foremost place in his affections and to her he 
ivill assuredly return when he dies. 



4S HrSTORY OF AI.I.EN AND 

K. A. Mr. Barber was born August, 184S, in Morgan County, Illinois. 

Barber He remained on the farm upon which he was born until 1863 
when his parents removed to Jacksonville where he graduated at 
Illinois College in 1868, standing second in his class; he was admitted to the 
bar in 1870 and in October of that year came to Humboldt where he at once 
entered upon the practice of law with exceptional i)rospects of success, but 
in 1875 he added banking to law, by going in basiness with B. H. Dayton 
under the firm name of D.iyton, Barber & Company, and soon thereafter he 
organized a National Bank which wholly engrossed his attention. The general 
financial disaster of 1893 numtjered this bank among its victims, although 
he continued the struggle until some years later. In 1896 he removed to 
Springfield, Missouri, where he now resides. 

George A. Mr. Amos came to Humboldt in 1868 or 1869 and went 

Amgs into the lumber business. The extermination of private en- 

terprise by consolidated capital which has since driven out 
pretty much all lumber yards conducted by private individuals, innuenced 
Amus to enter the law. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and continued 
in the practice there until 1889 when business connected with the settle- 
ment of his father's estate caused him to remove to Springfield, Illinois, 
where he remained until 1894. He then returned to Humboldt where he 
still remains engaged in the practice. His ability and energy as a lawyer 
soon gave him prominence at the bar and he was elected county attorney. 
That was a time when it was thought to be the proper thing for county 
attorneys to see to it that laws were enforced and Amos did see to it in such 
fashion that Mrs. Nation would have had no occasion to visit Allen county. 

Amos was chiefly responsible for one memorable event in Allen 
county's history. Humboldt's zeal in behalf of the famous "East and 
West road" outran her discretion. She not only voted but she also issued 
the necessary bonds but she never got the road. When payment of the 
bonds was demanded, to borrow the slang expression then current, which I 
trust the severe taste of the future Allen county bar w-ill excuse, she 
•'kicked". A city could be sued only by getting service on certain named 
officers. By a judicious selection of persons who were about to leave the 
State or the world, the municipal machinery was disintegrated beyond the 
power of a Federal Court mandamus to ever put it together again. In this 
way the city was placed and kept under cover lor nearly twenty years and 
until a favorable compromise was effected. Mr. Amos was chief conspira- 
tor in the scheme. 

W. J. Though hardly justified by his prominence at the bar, the 

L.\RiMER romantic incident which made him an Allen County lawer throw- 
ing light as it does upon the vicissitues of life on the frontier 
may excuse the insertion of Larimer's biography in a history' of the Allen 
County bar. 

The Larimer and Kelly families were among the early settlers in Allen 
County. Shortly after the close of the war they in company with several 
other families started in wagons for some point on the Pacific slope. While 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 49 

in Wyoming Territory the train was attacked by the Sioux Indians. 
Larimer was badly wounded but escaped by hiding in the brush. Kelly 
was killed. Mrs. Larimer together with her young children also Mrs. 
Kelly were captured. 

Mrs. Larimer after being a prisoner about two days escaped. Mrs. 
Kelly remained a captive until ransomed about five months later. After 
her release she regained her friends the Larimers. Some time later Mrs. 
Larimer published a book as her own production and on her own account, 
giving a full story of the occurrence which was largely rnade up of an ac- 
count of Mrs Kelly's experiences while a captive. Thereupon Mrs. Kelly 
came to Allen County, attached land belonging to the Larimers and 
brought suit for damages, claiming that the manuscript was the joint pro- 
duction and property of both herself and Mrs. Larimer and was to have 
been published on joint account. This woman's quarrel became a matter 
of general public interest and was prolonged in the courts for several years 
with varying results until the costs equaled the value of the land attached, 
when it was adjusted. 

Larimer having nothing else to do during its progress read law and 
was admitted to the bar. He soon after wandered off to the Black Hills 
where he afterwards serv^ed a term or two as Probate Judge in one of the 
leading counties, after which he resumed practice until his death which 
occurred several years since. 

William Henry Mr. Slavens was born in Putnam county, Indiana, 

Slavens August, 1849, came to Kansas in 1S69, began the prac- 

tice of law at Neosho Falls, Woodson county, in 1870, 
removed to Humboldt in 1876 where he remained until elected county 
attorney in 1878 when he removed to lola. After the expiration of his 
term, he returned to Yates Center. He removed to Kansas City, Kansas, 
where he died in 1897. 

Mr. Slavens possessed in a high degree many of the qualities necessary 
for a successful lawyer. He was bright, genial and likeable, and excep- 
tionally influential with the jury. He represented Woodson county in the 
Legislature in 1884 and 1886. 

J. O. Mr. Fife was born near Plymouth, Ind., September 10, 1854, was 

Fife raised on the farm, was educated at the Indiana State University, 
came to Kansas in 1878 and began the practice of law at Humboldt 
in September of that year. Mr. Fife's qualifications entitle him to a place 
in the foremost rank of those who have been Allen county lawyers. He 
speedily became prominent. In 1880 he was appointed county attorney to 
fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Slavens. In the fall of 
that year he was elected to the same position. In 1SS3 he removed to 
Kansas City Kansas, where he at once established an extensive practice. 
Though by no means wanting as a counsellor, his special excellence is as 
a trial lawyer. Mr. Fife takes an active interest in politics and appears as 
a prominent and influential factor in every congressional and State conven- 
tion of his party. Since his removal to Wyandotte he has been County 



50 illSTOKV OF ALLEX AXD 

Attorney for one or two terms. Of late years he has been extensively in- 
terested in mining operations in Colorado, and contrary to the general rule 
his adventures in that line have been quite successful. 

MiLFORD H. Mr. Donoho was born in Macon County, Tennessee, in 

Do.N'OHO 1S44. came with his parents to McDonounh County, Illi- 
nois, in 1846, served three years in the 47th Illinois Infantry during the 
Civil War. came to Allen County in 1868, was admilleil to the bar in 
1876. From 1881 to 1889 he practiced law and edited the Pilot at Bron- 
son, Kansas. In 1889 he began the practice of law in Kansas City, Kansas. 
Sterling integrity, sound judgment, strong common sense and an innate 
love of justice coupled with a familiarity with the fundamental principles 
of law are his striking characteristics. He is now filling his second term 
as Judge of one of the city courts in Kansas City, Kansas, and has just 
been re-nominated without opposition for a third term with certainty ot 
election. 

©tbcr alien Counts attornefis. 

The publishers of this History regret that they have not been able to 
command the services of so able a chronicler as Mr. Keplinger on behalf 
of the attorneys who came here since Mr. Keplinger removed from the 
county or who lived at lola during his residence at Humboldt and with 
whom he did not feel sufficiently acquainted to include in his article. In 
the absence of such an expert little more can be done than to set down here 
the names of tho.se who made for themselves a permanent place in the 
records of the Allen Countj- bar. 

J.\MES C. Mr. Murray held a prominent place among lola lawyers 

Murray for several years. He went from here to Missouri and is now 
at Harrisonville, Arkansas. 

C. M. Mr. Simpson practiced at the bar a comparatively short time. 

SiMPSOx but he holds a large place in the earlier history of lola for the 
reason that he was for several years clerk of the district court 
and afterwards for a number of years po.st-ma.ster, resigning the latter posi- 
tion, chiefly on account of his health, to go to Pasadena, California, where 
he now lives and where he has taken a prominent place at the bar and in 
politics, having been twice elected to the Senate of the State. 

J. H. Mr. Richards came to lola soon after the war as a young 

RiCH.VRDS lawyer and would probably be willing to admit that he had a 
hard fight of it for several years. When the Fort Scott Wich- 
ita and Western railroad, (now a division of the Missouri Pacific), was 
built through Allen County Mr. Richards, who had been active in securing 
right of way and other concessions, was appointed its local attorney. His 
work was so well done that he was soon advanced to the general attorney- 
ship of the road, with headquarters at Fort Scott where he has ever since 
made his home. While never holding or seeking political office, Mr. 
Richards has taken an active interest in politics and is now recognized as a 
strong factor in the Republican councils of the State. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 5 1 

W. G. Mr. McDonald was perhaps one of the most ambitious 

McDoN.\LD men who ever tried to practice law in lola. He was a man 
of considerable natural ability, but his professional success 
was hampered by lack of early training. He soon gave up the law and 
after holding a subordinate office at the San Carlos Indian Agency in Ari- 
zona for a time, returned and started a newspaper at Kiowa. When Okla- 
homa was opened to settlement he "made the run" and located a claim in 
"D" one of the far western counties. In Oklahoma he engaged activelj' 
in politics and soon achieved a wide reputation for his radical and fearless 
utterances and for the unusual and picturesque oratory which he de- 
veloped. He was shot and killed one day on the road between his claim 
and the neighboring town, by a man with w'hom he had quarreled. The 
man gave himself up, admitted the shooting and claimed self-defense. As 
there was no testimony to disprove this claim he was never punished. The 
very general opinion was, however, that "McDonald of D," as he was 
known all over Oklahoma, was waylaid and shot in the back. 

J. K. Mr. Boyd will be remembered by the old citizens of lola as a 
Boyd little gray cheerful talkative man who seemed to have out lived his 
ambitions and his energy and was simply waiting around "killing 
time" with infinite good humor and patience. He rarely had a case in the 
district court but he was for many years police judge or justice of the peace 
and was much missed when he dieA 

R. H. Mr. Knight came here from Iowa in the earl)' eighties and en- 

Knight gaged at once in the practice as a partner of Oscar Foust. He 
was a man of great energy' and force and was considered es- 
pecially strong as a criminal lawyer. He removed to Los Angeles, Cali- 
fornia, some years ago, where he still resides, and where he has built up a 
lucrative practice. 

B. O. Mr. Davidson was first admitted to the bar here, but soon 

D.wiDSON removed to Hutchinson where he rapidly advanced well to- 
ward the front rank. He afterwards located in St. Louis 
where he now lives and is reported to be doing well. 

A. C. Mr. Bogle came to lola first as stenographer for the district 
Bogle court. He soon resigned that position, however, and engaged in 
the practice of law. He was a shrewd, well schooled lawyer, a 
most likeable man to his intimate friends, but with oddities of manner and 
dress that did not promote his success in gaining clients. Mr. Bogle was 
a southerner by birth and he never felt really at home in the North. After 
a few years, therefore, he went to Macon, Mississippi, where he was when 
last heard from by any of his lola friends. 

J. H. Mr. Fishercame to Kansas from Pennsylvania and began his first 

Fisher practice at lola. He was a man of tremendous energy and great 

determination, and speedily took rank among the first of the 

many bright young lawyers who were then practicing law in Allen County. 



52 IIISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

Becoming dissatisfied with the narrow field that lola offered at that time 
he went to Chaiuite and later to Conneant, Ohio, where he is now engaged 
in the snccessfnl practice of his profession. 

C. E. Mr. Benton also tried in lola his first lawsuit, coming here 

Benton from Illinois. He was thoroughly devoted to his profession and 
had perhaps the most distinctly legal mind of any of his associates 
at the bar. lie applied himself diligently and rose rapidly in his profession. 
He formed a partnership with J. H. Richards and when the latter was ap- 
pointed solicitor for the Fort Scott Wichita and Western railroad Mr. 
Benton was appointed as his assistant and went with him to Fort Scott 
where he has since made his home 

A. C. Mr Scott grew up in lola and after graduating from the Uni- 

ScoTT versity of Kansas and from the Columbia Law School, Washing- 
ton, D. C, he returned here and engaged in the practice of law in 
partnership first with J. H. Ricliardsand C. E. Benton, and afterwards with 
Mr. Benton alone. He went to Oklahoma City when that Territory was 
opened for settlement in 18S9 and continued there the successful practice 
of law. In 1898, failing health compelled him to relinquish the law and 
he accepted an appointment as Professor of English Language and Literature 
in the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the Territory of Oklahoma. 
After one year in that position he w^s appointed President of the institu- 
ti(jn whicli place he has since filled. 

John C. Mr. Gordon grew up in Osage township, Allen County, and 

GORDO.N worked his way up to the practice of the law. He was a man 
of splendid physique and considerable natural ability and he 
soon acquired a good standing as a young lawyer of promise. He lacked 
continuity, however, and after a few years at the law drifted into the news- 
paper business for which he was not adapted. About 1890 he left lola and 
when last heard of by Allen County friends was teaching school in Illinois. 

Nelson F. Mr. Acers was one of a number of unusually clever yoting 
AcERS lawyers wdio came to lola in the later sixties. Handsome, 
delightfully companionable, a speaker of much more than 
average ability, he easily took a place well toward the front rank which he 
held as long as he chose to devote himself to his profession. He suc- 
cumbed to the allurements of politics, however, and after making an un- 
successful race for Congress as the candidate of the Democratic party, he 
was appointed internal revenue collector. For a few years after retiring 
from that office he devoted himself to mining enterprises. These failing to 
return the rewards promised he returned to lola and engaged in the real 
estate busine-ss which now occupies his time. 

Henry W. Mr. Talcott came to lola from the army, slight of figure but 

T.VLCOTT with rare dignity and courtesy and with a knowledge of law 

that speedily .sent him to the District bench and kept him 

there for twelve years. Upon his retirement from the bench he followed 



"WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 53 

bis old friends, C. M. Simpson and R. H. Knight to southern California 
and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at San Diego. 

A close scrutinj' of the court records of the past thirtj- years would 
doubtless bring to light some names not mentioned in this rapid review, 
but it is believed that the names of all who really made a place for them- 
selves have found mention here. 

To comment on those who are now actively engaged in the practice of 
law in Allen County would seem to be hardly the province of history, and 
hence the editors content themselves with placing on record the following 
list of present day attorne^-s taken from the current docket of the District 
court: 

Amos, G. A. Gard, G. R. 

Atchison & Morrill. Gard & Gard. 

Bennett & Morse. Goshorn, J. B. 

Beattv, h. C. Hankins, W. C. 

Baker, J. E. Jacoby, M. P. 

Choguill, W. A. McClain, Baxter D. 

Campbell & Goshorn. Ritter, Chris. S. 

Cullison, R. E. Stover, T. S. 

Cotiley, A. B. Thompson, J. F. 

Clifford, B. E. Thompson, Harry. 

Ewing & Savage. Tudor, H. M. M. 

Foust, Oscar & Son. Thrasher, Geo. C. 



54 HISTORY OP AU.KN AKr> 



<Lbc SwcMsb Settlement 

BV CARL A. KFA'NOI.DS. 

In 1869 some Swedes in Illinois, following the tide of immijrratioii 
Westward in search of cheap homes, were attracted toward Kansas by the 
opening to settlement of the Osage Indian reservation which had been 
ceded to the Government and subjected by it to pre-emption at $1. 25 per 
acre. 

The original settlers were Peter Hawkinson and Swan Olson from 
Farmersville, Illinois, who reached Allen County in October, i86g. Feb- 
ruary 8, 1870, Olof Nelson and son Charles, John B. and John H. John- 
son emigrated from KnoxviUe, Illinois, and on March 12, 1S70, they were 
joined by W. S. Holmes and Xels Olson and families from Farmersville. 
They brought with them little of this world's goods, but possessed un- 
daunted courage, industry and frugality, and set themselves bravely to the 
difficult task of building their homes in a new and undeveloped country. 

But .'iorrovv was in store, not only for these, but all other people who 
had settled here, for the railroads had also seen that these lands were 
beautiful and productive, and laid claim. Finally, in 1876, altera lawsuit 
of national renown, the United States Supreme Court vested the title in 
the Government. This decision was joyfully accepted by the settlers who 
at once redoubled efforts for the improvement and beautification of their 
homes. 

In May, 1870, the first school house was built in what is now Dis- 
trict 38. 

Death invaded the settlement in October, 1870. This caused the loca- 
tion of the Swedish cemetery, now one of the best kept and most beautiful 
cemeteries in the country. 

The settlers having all been reared in the Lutheran church, soon felt 
the need of religious services and so a Sunday school was organized which 
for social reasons, was held in rotation in the homes of the various families. 
Early in the fall of 1870 the settlement was visited by Rev. Andreen of 
the Augustana Synod, and later a catechrist or colporteur came regularly 
and held religious services until February, 1872, when, by the arrival of 
other settlers, the number had increased sufficiently to organize a congre- 
gation. This was done by Rev. S. J. Osterberg, now deceased. A few 
years after the organization a great number was added by those who came 
from Moline and WoodhuU, Illinois. They built their first church in 
1878, now used by the Free Mission Society, of which Rev. Alfred John- 
son is the local pastor. 

In 1898 the Lutheran congregation had so increased as to number 250 



"WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



55 



communicaiii.s and, including the baptized children, more than 450. So 
it was very apparent that they should build a new and more commodious 
church to accommodate this large and fast growing congregation. 

The accompanying half-tone engraving is of the Swedish Lutheran 
church. This handsome edifice was erectetl in 189S and dedicated Mav 
J4, 1899. Its dimensions are 36x54, feet with an addition of 24x26 feet, 
and a steeple 65 feet high. The total cost of the church and all appurte- 
nances will aggregate $3,300.00 to say nothing of the gi'atuitous labor 




which would have amounted to several hundred dollars. The furnishings 
are fine. The bell, one of the largest and best in Kansas, was made in 
St. Louis by the Henry Stuckstade Foundry. The architect was Olof Z. 
Cervin, of Rock Island, Illinois. The builders were Huff Brothers of 
Savonburg. 

This church is three miles west of Savonburg, in the mid.st of the 
Swedi.sh settlement of East Cottage Grove and Elsmore townships. Rev. 
O. Moren. the estimable pastor, is a highly educated gentleman and con- 
tributes largely to the social, intellectual and moral life of this community. 
The vSwedi.sh people composing the congregation are of the best type of 
citizenship, honest, thrifty and provident. 



HISTOKY OF ALLEX AXD 



abe 5)i6Cover\> m\t> development of IRatural Gas 

Natural gas has been kuown to exist in Kansas almost from the earli- 
est white settlement of the State, small quantities of it having been found 
in wells drilled before the war in Wyandotte count}' in search of oil. As 
soon as the war was over prospecting for oil was continued in several of the 
counties of the eastern border, and in many of the wells thus drilled small 
quantities of gas were found. 

Probably the most notable of these early gas wells was the one de- 
veloped at lola in 1873 by the lola Mining Company, of which Nelson F. 
Acers was president. This company had been organized to prospect for 
coal, and .so certain were they of finding it that thej- began at once sinking a 
large shaft. The work on this shaft attracted the attention of some of the 
officers of the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston railroad, (now the 
Southern Kansas division of the Santa Fe), and they offered to bring to 
lola a diamond drill outfit with which the railroad company had been pros- 
pecting at different points along its line, and pay $500 of the expense of a 
deep well. The offer was gladly accepted, and the work was begun in the 
fall of 1872. At the depth of 190 feet a small flow of gas was struck. At 
the depth of 622 feet the drill suddenly dropped eighteen inches, and 
almost immediately the water which filled the space about the drill was 
thrown high into the air and a volume of gas followed which became 
lighted and did considerable damage before it could be subdued. The 
drilling was continued until a depth of 736 feet was reached. This was 
the limit of the apparatus in use, and the work was reluctantly abandoned. 
If this chapter were a speculation on what might have been and not a 
history of what has been, it would be interesting to try to conjecture what 
the past twenty-five years would have witnessed if that drill had gone a 
hundred feet deeper. But the work ceased and the drill was withdrawn. 
And then a singular spectacle was witnessed. Following the drill there came 
a great geyser of water, thrown many feet above the ground with a great 
gurgling and hissing noise. Presently the flow ceased and all was quiet 
for the space of a few seconds, and then the same phenomenon was re- 
peated. And so for more than fourteen years at intervals of from fifteen to 
forty-five seconds it continued to be repeated, and it was a remarkable and 
very beautiful sight, particularly when the gas was set on fire and the 
spraying water looked like a fouiUain of liquid flame. The fame of it 
spread abroad, and as the waters were shown to have considerable medi- 
cinal virtue "The Acers Mineral Well," as it soon came to be known, 
attracted many visitors and became quite a resort. In 1885, however, the 
Neosho river overflowed its banks and the Acers well was filled with sur- 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 57 

face water, the weight of which was too much for the gis to lift and so the 
flow ceased. 

In 1886 the discovery of the great natural gas fields of Ohio and f ndi- 
ana and the remarkable growth of the towns of that region resulting there- 
from attracted general attention all over the West, and the people of lola 
recalled the Acers Mineral Well, and the long years that the gas which 
issued from it had signalled to them of the riches below. And so a local 
company, known as the lola Gas and Coal Company, of which J. W. 
Coutaiit w.is president, and H. L. Henderson secretary, was organized 
with a capital of $50,000, for the purpose of prospecting for gas. A fran- 
chise for supplying the city with gas for domestic and manufacturing pur- 
poses was secured, and with $2,500 raised by an assessment of two per cent 
on the capital stock, the work of drilling was begun. At the end of a year 
the money had been spent with nothing to show for it btit one or two wells 
with a small flow of gas. Hope was still strong, however, and the local 
feeling that gas might be found was such that $3,000 of cit}^ bonds were easily 
voted to continue the prospecting. With this sum two or three more wells 
were drilled, each of which developed a small quantity of gas, but in all 
the wells together there was hardly a supply for fifty cook stoves. At this 
jtincture Mr. Joseph PauUin, then as now a conductor on the Southern 
Kansas division of the Santa Fe railroad, and who had noted the prospect- 
ing with much interest, associating with himself Mr. W. S. Pryor, an ex- 
perienced deep well driller, appeared before the lola Coal and Gas Com- 
pany and propo.sed to buy its plant and franchise and continue the work. 
The sale was made under the condition that the new firm should drill at 
least six wells unless a sufficient quantity of gas to supply the town with fuel 
and light was sooner found. The work contintied, but very slowly, and it 
was nearl}^ five years before the six wells called for by the contract had 
been sunk. And the gross product of all these wells barely stifficed to 
supply one hundred cook stoves. It looked discouraging. Messrs. Pryor 
and PauUin were so firm in their faith that there was a big supply of gas 
somewhere in the vicinity, however, that they determined to sink one more 
well and sink it deep. In all the wells up to this date the gas had been 
found at a depth of from 250 to 350 feet, and in no case had the drill gone 
deeper than 450 feet. It was determined that the next well should go 
down a thousand feet if necessary before the long search was finally 
abandoned. And this determination had its reward. On Christmas day, 
1893, at a depth of 850 feet the drill entered the long sought for "sand" 
and the first natural gas well in Kansas of any real value was opened. 
And so although the existence of natural gas in the State had been known 
for nearly forty years, Christmas day, 1893, may be remembered as the 
date of the discovery of the Kansas natural gas field. 

The fame of the new discovery spread rapidly, and in June, 1894, the 
Palmer Oil and Gas Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, sent representatives to 
lola, leased several thousand acres of land and proceeded at once to sink 
a number of wells. In nearly all of these wells gas was found, the rock 
pressure in each varying but slightly from 320 pounds, the volume ranging 



58 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

from ^,000,000 to 14,000,000 cubic feet daily, and the depth at which the 
"sand" was found varying from 810 to 996 feet. The success of the Pal- 
mer Company attracted other investors, and within four years from the 
date of the original discovery the field had been practically outlined in the 
form of a parallelogram extending from lola eastward a distance of about 
eight miles, with a width of about four miles. Within these limits gas is 
regarded as a certainty, and the wells now drilled are supplying fuel for six 
large zinc smelters, three brick plants, one Portland Cement plant, and num- 
erous smaller industries, besides furnishing heat and light for perhaps three 
thousand private dwellings. Even with this enormous drain but an insignifi- 
cant proportion of the gas which the field is capable of supplying is required. 
It is perhaps not the province of this chapter to speculate upon the life ot the 
field: but it may not be without interest to state that a single well near lola 
has supplied all the fuel that has been required for a large smelter for more 
than three years, and as yet shows no signs of exhaustion. At the rate at 
which it is now being used it is the opinion of experts that the field will 
not be exhausted during the life of this generation, and perhaps not for 
sixty or seventy years. 

.\ number of wells have been drilled in the vicinity of Humboldt and 
gas enough has been found to supply the town with fuel and light for 
domestic purposes and for manufacturing to a limited extent. Nearly all the 
Humboldt wells have shown considerable oil and there seems good ground 
for the opinion that a profitable oil field may some day be developed there. 

As this chapter is going through the press Mr. j C. Noble is sinking 
the first prospect well in Salem township, where he has leased several 
hundred acres of land, and where he hopes to develop another paving gas 
field. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 59 



Cburcbes an^ Scbools 

Among the pioneers of Allen County perhaps an unusual percentage 
were educated, Christian people, and among the very first of the things to 
which they turned their attention after providing for the immediate neces- 
sities of life was the organization of churches and schools. In nearly 
every neighborhood there was a minister of the gospel who had followed 
his parishoners from their old home, and "colporteurs" or missionaries of 
the various churches were frequent visitors. And .so it happened that al- 
most from the beginning religious services of some kind were held at some 
point in the county, at the home of one of the settlers or in the open air. 

The first church regularly organized in the county was the Congre- 
gational church at Geneva, which dates its existence from the summer of 
1858. It has been in continuous and prosperous existence ever since that 
date. 

Probably the second organization was that of the Presbyterian church, 
June 25, 1859. It also has had a long, useful and prosperous life, and is 
now. as it has been for more than forty years, the center of the social as 
well as the spiritual life of the community. 

Other churches were organized as rapidlv as the increase of the popu- 
lation warranted. The Methodist Episcopal church has probablv the 
largest membership, followed closely by the Presbyterian and Baptist, 
although most of the other prominent Protestant denominations are well 
represented. The Roman Catholic church has but two organizations in 
the county, one at Humboldt and one at lola. although a considerable 
number of the communicants of the Piqua (Woodson county) church live 
in this county. 

As in all new countries, the "Camp Meeting" was one of the most 
important features of church work for the first twenty years of the County's 
history. These meetings 'were usually held in the summer or early 
autumn. A large and well shaded grove on the banks of some stream, 
where wood and water and the other necessities for comfortable camping 
could be found, was selected, and there the people would come in covered 
wagons or with tents, and spend two or three and sometimes four weeks. 
Three religious services were held each day and the degree of religious 
fervor excited was often very great. These annual meetings were but the 
earlier and cruder forerunner of the Chautauqua Assemblys which are now 
held annually in many parts of the country, combining religious worship 
and spiritual culture with rest, recreation and social enjoyment. Oc- 
casional meetings are still held in the various groves of the County, but 
the old-fashioned camp meeting, where a whole neighborhood, abandoning 



6o HISTOkY OK AI.LKN AXD 

evervthiiig else except work of the most necessary character, came together 
and remained for weeks at a time, is a thing of the past. 

Wherever the Christian religion has gained a foothold there it may be 
counted as certain that the cause of education is firmly entrenched. The 
pioneers of Allen County lost no time in organizing school districts, build- 
ing school houses and employing teachers for the instruction of their 
children. In tin- beginning, as must necessarily be the case where the 
people are few in number and poor in purse, the school house was poor, 
(although it was usually the best house in the neighborhood), and rudely 
furnished, and the school term la.sted but three or four months in the year. 
But as fast as the ability of the people increased they improved their school 
facilities and extended the length of the term. It may not be amiss here 
to record that without doubt the best of the district schools maintained in the 
County from the j-ears.iSey to 1872 was that at Carlyle, taught by David 
Smith. Professor Smith was an ex-college professor who had been driven 
out of Tennessee during the war on account of his strong Union senti- 
ments, and after a few years in Illinois had come to Kansas. He taught 
first at the Academy at Geneva, and was then employed by the people of 
Carlyle on a contract requiring him to teach ten months each year for a 
term of ten years at a salary of fifty dollars a month. It required a heavy 
tax to meet this expense, for so high a salary and so long a school term 
were unheard of in the County at tliat time. But the result was a remark- 
able school, a school the curriculum of which ranged from the primer to 
the higher mathematics, Latin and Greek, and in which a morality as 
stern as that ever taught by 1;he most rigid of the Puritans was daily incul- 
cated. Having no patience with stupidity, stern to the verge of cruelty 
sometimes in discipline, David Smith reverenced learning almost as he 
reverenced his God, and there was nothing too much for him to do when 
the result was to push a bright boy forward. Declining health and unfor- 
tunate dissensions in the neighborhood compelled the cancellation of the 
contract before the ten years for which it provided had expired. But those 
who were pupils in that school during the few years while David Smith 
ruled it with the authority of an absolute monarch, count the experience 
now as a rare privilege. 

While the common schools of the County gradually improved, there 
was no attempt at grading them or bringing them up to a uniform standard 
until the administration of Mr. Ed. T. Barber as County Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. Mr. Barber had received at the State Normal a 
thorough training in the most modern methods of teaching and school 
organization. He was a young man of fine executive ability, of untiring 
energv, of attractive personality, and with an allconquering enthusiasm, 
and upon his election in 1888 he entered at once upon the work of organiz- 
ing the common schools, and grading them to a uniform course of study. 
He introduced also the "grade privilege" which means so much to the 
teachers. During the four years that he held the office of superintendent 
Mr. Barber labored incessantly and with rare intelligence, and the result 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 6r 

was a stimulus to the common schools of the County that is felt to this da}'. 

Prior to Mr. Barber's administration, as the schools had not been 
graded there had been no classes graduated. The pupils simply went until 
they thought they had learned all the teacher could teach them or until 
they got tired, and then quit. The first graduation from the common 
schools of the County therefore took place in 1889. Since that time nine 
hundred and fifty bo3's and girls have been graduated from these schools. 
The course of study now includes a thorough training in orthography, 
reading, writing, grammar, history, arithmetic, geography, physiology and 
composition, so that the student who has successfully passed through the 
common school is prepared to enter the high school, which in its turn 
leads up to the freshman class of the University. Allen County as yet has 
no county high school, but the place is to a large degree filled by the ex- 
cellent schools of lola and Humboldt, the students from which are fully 
prepared for the University. 

The impetus given to the schools of the County by Superintendent 
Barber has been re-inforced by the excellent administration of the present 
incumbent, Mr. Grant Billbe. Mr. Billbe will be chiefly remembered as 
the originator of the Annual School Exhibit and Contest, which he in- 
augurated in 1900 and which was repeated in 1901 and will doubtless be- 
come a permanent feature of the school work. 



62 HISTORY OF AIXEN AND 



Zbc Criminal 1Rccol•^. 

The early as well as the later settlers of Allen County were for the 
most part orderly and law abiding citizens, and in the forty-six years of its 
history its records have been darkened by' comparatively few crimes of so 
shocking and unusual a nature as to attract general attention and interest. 

The first tragedy to arouse public sentiment after the two or three 
homicides growing out of early land troubles and already recorded, was 
the lynching of E. G. Dalson which occurred on the night of June 27, 
1870. Dalson lived in the south part of the County and was accused of the 
murder of his adopted son. He was brought to lola and placed in jail. 
Late in the night of the above named date three men appeared at the jail 
and demanded admittance telling the sheriff that they had brought a 
prisoner from Neosho county for safe keeping. Sheriff John Harris (still 
living in Ida), opened the door when a number of men crowded in and 
demanded the key to Dalson's cell. This was refused The mob quickly 
overpowered the sheriff, however, and the deputy who had come to his 
assistance, and placing a rope around the prisoner's neck they led him 
away. The next morning his body was found hanging in a deserted house 
on the old townsite of Cofachique. It was reported that before being 
hanged the old man had confessed the crime with which he was charged, 
but said that it was not intentional. He said that he had occasion to 
punish the boy and finding him hard to conquer had thrown him down 
and placed his foot on his neck, with no thought of doing him serious in- 
jury. On raising his foot he found the boy lifeless and fearing the 
consequences of his act he had concealed the body where it was found. 
Dalson had some friends and there was a good deal of indignation over 
his summary execution. Efforts to ferret out the perpetrators of the lynch- 
ing resulted in the arrest of R. T. Stephens, but he was released on bail 
and it appears that he never came to trial. 

As is stated elsewhere the dispute over land titles in the eastern part 
of the County, out of which grew the organization known as "The 
League" resulted in a number of crimes of a more or less serious nature. 
And the singular part of it is that the most serious of these crimes resulted 
from disputes among the Leaguers themselves. Perhaps the most noted 
of these cases was the killing of James Harclerode and Robert McFarland 
by Hugh, Isaac, Joseph and William Guilliland which occurred in 
1884. All the parties concerned were members of the League. Har- 
clerode and McFarland were building a house on land which the 
Guillilands, father and sons, claimed. The latter went to where the two 
former were at work to drive them away and the quarrel which ensued 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 63 

resulted as above noted. The Guillilands were brought to trial and were 
all convicted. Hugh Guilliland and two of his sons were sent to the peni- 
tentiary for life, and the third son was sentenced for three years. After 
serving a few years of their sentence all were pardoned and when last 
heard from were living in one of the central counties of the State. 

Shortly after the above occurrence one Columbus Carter, living in the 
same neighborhood, quarreled with an old man by the name of Grisham 
and in the fight which followed gouged out one of his eyes. A few daj-s 
afterwards Carter was waylaid and shot. It was very naturally suspected 
that a son of Grisham had done the deed, but no arrests were ever made. 

On December 8, 1884, A. W. Ashcraft, a constable, attempted to 
arrest one Voght, at Humboldt, on a warrant charging him with violation 
of the liquor law. Voght resisted arrest and was killed. Ashcraft was 
exonerated. 

On November 23, 1885, J. W. Browning shot and killed A. A. Earle 
in front of what is now the Hotel Thomson in lola. Earle lived at 
Bronson where Browning had been selling organs. Earle charged Brown- 
ing with the ruin of his daughter and forced him to come with him to Ida 
to be delivered over to the officers to stand trial for the crime. From the 
lola depot they drove to the hotel in an omnibus. Earle got out first, and 
as he did so Browning shot him twice, killing him instantly. Browning 
was tried and acquitted, claiming self-defense. He immediately left the 
State and has not since been heard of by any of his old associates. 

On July 9, 1896, the body of Delia Hutchison, a young girl, was 
found in a pond some miles east of Humboldt, nude and shockingly 
mutilated. Jacob S. Rogers, a farmer living near, was convicted of the 
murder, the testimony showing that he was the father of the girl's 
unborn child, the concealment of the lesser crime being the motive for the 
perpetration of the greater one. Rogers was sentenced to a term of twenty- 
one years in the penitentiary. 

On July 4, 1898, Byron Cushman was shot and killed by J. W. Bell 
at Humboldt. Both of the men were said to have been intoxicated. Bell 
was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary- for ten 
years. 



64 HISTOKY OF ALLEN AMD 



leiection IRcturns an& ©tber Statistics 

As has been already indicated in previous chapters of this work, the 
earl}- settlers of Allen county were very largely Free State men and there- 
fore Republicans. The immigration of the years immediately following the 
war, made up as it was to a very great extent of ex-Union soldiers, strength- 
ened this sentiment, and it has persisted so strongly that Allen county has 
been regarded as practically a safe Republican county through all its his- 
tory. The Grange movement in 1874 resulted in the defeat of a few 
Republican candidates for county office, but the "Reform" wave soon sub- 
sided and the Republican party quickly regained its normal majority. 
Even the Farmers' Alliance storm, which swept Kansas as a State into the 
People's Party column in 1892 and kept it there for eight years, did not 
shake Allen county from its Republican moorings, and it was one of the 
very few Kansas counties that never returned a Populist majority. An 
occasional opposition candidate has of course been elected from time to time, 
even from the beginning, but such an event has always resulted from 1 
personal and not a party vote. 

The politics of Allen county has been maintained, happily, on a hi.gh 
plane of honesty and decency. There has rarely been a campaign of bitter 
personal vituperation, and there has never been a serious charge of flagrant 
corruption of the ballot. The administration of the public affairs of the 
county has also been free from scandal, no officer in the history of the county 
hav'ing been called to account for the dishonest use of public funds com- 
mitted to his care. 

The publishers of this hi.story are indebted to Mr. H. M. Miller, ex- 
clerk of the District Court, for the election returns which follow, and to Mr. 
Melvin Fronk, deputy county clerk for the other statistics. It is believed 
that the election returns, showing as they do the name, date of election and 
politics of every county officer since the adoption of the Wyandotte constitu- 
tion, will be found of special interest and value. In the following table 
names of Democrats are marked by an *, names of Populists by a t. Names 
not thus marked are of Republicans. 

Bllen CountB Election IRcturns 

WYANDOTTK CMNHTITUTIUN 

Vote for 244 I Against LW 

HOMESTEAD CLAUSE 

Vote for 201 1 AKalnsi l.« 

Repbesentative iiTH District— Jno. W. Scott. November. 1859. 
FIRST ELECTION IN ALLEN COUNTY UNDEll THE CONSTITUTION DECEM liKU 

Charles Robinson 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 65 



LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 

-I.P.Root --1T5 I *Jolm P. Slough .. --134 

SECRETARY OF STATE ' 

J. W. Robin.son.-- ---175 | *A. P. WalUer laS 

TREASURER 

Wm. Tholen - - ; 176 I »Kobeit L. Pease 135 

AUDITOR 

<i. S. Hillyer - 173 i *Joel K. Qoodin 135 

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS 

Wm. R. Grifflih -- --- 175 | *J. S. Magill- .--135 

CHIEF JUSTICE 

Thos. Ewing 172 I *Jos. Williams 13a 

ASSOCIATE JUSTICE 

S. A. Kingman (four years) 174 | *S. A. Stinson 135 

L. D. Bailey (two years) 164 | *R. B. Mitchell --135 

ATTORNEY GENERAL 

B. F. Simpson -.165 I »Orlin Thurston 141 

CONGRE.SSMAN 

.M. F. Conway 175 I *J. A. Haldeman 135 

DISTRICT JUDGE. FOURTH DISTRICT 

S. O. Tbacher 172 [ »Jas. Christian 136 

SENATOR. TENTH DISTRICT 

P.P.Elder 169 I *Wm. Pennoch - 76 

W. Spriftgs -169 I »Jno. R. Goodin 139 

REPRESENTATIVE TENTH DISTRICT 

W.W.Lawrence — 172 I »Jno. M Beck 130 

.hvcob Morrall 71 *.J. L. Arnold. - 131 

W. F. M. Arnv 173 I »A. R. Morton-.-- - 120 

S. .1. Orawford-—- 172 | *.I. M. Wilson 121 

8. L. G Stone 168 

N.B.Blanton .-179 

REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION, NOVEMBER. 1S61I 

REPRESENTATIVE TWENTY-FIFTH DISTRICT 

John W. Scott 224 i *N. B. Blanton 



*John Mesel- 
REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION. NOVEMBER. 186i 

REPRESENTATIVE FIFTY-FOURTH DISTRICT 

-V. W. J. Brown- 162 I *Jas. Faulkner 86 

REPRESENTATIVE FIFTY-FIFTH DLSTRICT 

»J. H. Campbell 48 | j. A. Christy 13 



General Election. December 6, 18.59— Votes cast. 310 

County Attorney S, A Ellis I Supt. ot Instructions Merritt Moore 

Register of Deeds .I.M.Perkins Surveyor A. G. Carpenter 

tjounty Clerk .1- H. Signor | *Coroner Ohas. Fussman 

Special Eleotion, March 26, 1860— Votes cast tor ticket, 607; 
Votes cast locating county seat. 971 

Probate Judge J. G. Rickiird I Treasurer H. W. Signor 

Sheriff J. C. Eedheld I A.ssessor H. Doran 

General Election, November 1861— Votes cast, 209 

County Attorney ". «S. A. Riggs I Supt. of Instructions Z. J. Wisner 

Probate .Judge J. E. Childs County Clerk M. A. Simpson 

Sheriff J. O. Redfield | District Clerk--- B. P. Pancoast 

Surveyor.- A. G. Carpenter I Treasurer - .,. N. Hankins 

.\ssessor.-- A.Stewart Coroner J.A.Hart 

Register of Deeds E. A. House I 

November, 1862— Votes cast, 369 

Probate Judge - A. L. Dornhurg | Surveyor W. W.Murray 

Clerk District Court -Wm. C. O'Brien Coroner S. K. J. Collins 

Treasurer John Harris As.sessor.-- Enoch Bray 

Supt. of Instructions Z. J. Wisner | 

November, 1863— Votes cast, 314 
Sheriff J. C. Redfield | A.ssessor - i II. Power 



66 HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND 

r,)unt.v Clerk John Francis j Supt. of Instructions I. B. Hitclieook 

Treasurer. John Harris Suiveyor..- -.. W.W.Murray 

Register of Deeds .ilia.s Boland 1 I'or .ner i^hiis. Kussmaii 

Commisioner Isi Dist 'Wm Jones i Commissioner 3rd Dist D.B.Stewart 

Commissioner 2nd Dist H. O. Parsons 1 

November. 1S64— Votes cast. 382 

-Jus. H i^'.impbeU Clerk District Court Geo. A. Miller 

Supt. of Instruction -- -E.K.Lynn 

NdVEMBER. 186')-VotfScast. 3** 

Sheriff - ' F.Coleman Coroner P.T. Corm'll 

Clerk Dist riot 1 '.>lm Francis Surve.vor ..J. M I'mv^in 

Coimty Clerk i .lin F'raneis Commissioner 1st Dist I. M. Mattoon 

Treasurer .lohu Harris Commis.sioner 2nd Dist H. D. Parsons 

Keiri.ster of Deeds .... .ITias. B*>land 1 Commissioner Srd Dist Peter Loni: 

Assessor-- --F. M. Power I 

NOVE.MBEB. 1866 -Votes cast 586 

Sheriff Win Y. Crow j Supt. of Instruction MA. Simpson 

Clerk District Court John Francis I Surveyor G DeWitt 

Probate Judge .._ A. L Dornburjr i County Attorney - N. F. Acers 

November, 1867— Votes cast i56l 

Sheriff John Harris C ironer D. Horville 

Treasurer lohn Francis I Surveyor .-.G. DeWitt 

County Clerk W. F. Wairffoner Commissioner 1st Dist Z. J. Wisner 

Register of Deeds ..G. M. Brown j Commis-sioner 2nd Dist J. L. .\rnold 

Assessor ..lohn Paxson Commissioner 3rd Disc Peter Lon^' 

Ni>VEMBER. 1868— Votes cast 896 

Probate Judge.- lohn Passon , Assessor J. H. Vannuys 

Supt. of Instruction M .<imp.S')ii ' Coimty Attorney N. F. Acers 

Clerk District Court John Francis I 

NovE.MBEB. 1869-\'otes cast 785 

Treasurer i.ihn Francis Coroner -. C. Gillihan 

SherifT lohn Harris ! Surveyor G DeWitt 

County Clerk y Wai^ironer Commissioner 1st tWst Z, J Wisner 

Register of D»t ; •'•. M Brown Commissioner 2na Dist D. Horville 

Clerk District Court — John Paxson ! Commissioner ard Dist Pet-T Lonur 

November. IsTO— Votes cast Ijr.t 

Probate Judge John Pas-<on : Clerk District Court lohn Pa.\soii 

Supt. of Instruction ...if SI. A. Simpson ; County .Vttorney H M.Burleigh 

November. UrTl Votes cast 1460 

Sheriff E C. .\msden ■ Surveyor G. DeWitt 

Treasurer -- W. C. Thrasher I Commissioner 1st Dist Paul Fisher 

County Clerk H. A Needham | Commissioner 2nd Dist Dan Horville 

Keitister of Deeds R. B. Stevenson ! Commissioner ^rd Dist A. W . Hovrland 

Coroner C Gillihan 1 

November. I'<T2-Votes cast r.26 

Probate Judge. John Passon County Attorney •!. C. Murray 

Clerk District Court C.M.Simpson Supt. of Instruction G DeWitt 

November. 1S73— Voles cast li59 

Trea.surer W. C. Tlirasher | Coroner F. Root 

County I'lerk ...H..\ Xeedham Commissioner 1st Dist L Bonebrake 

Sheriff I. L. Woodin I Commissioner 2nd Dist D. Horville 

Register of Deeds G.M.Brown ; Commissioner 3rd Dist A W. Howland 

Surveyor L.J Rhoades ' 

NovE-MBEB. 1ST4— Votes cast 1325 

Clerk District Court C. M.Simpson i Probate Judge 'N. F. .Acers 

•Supt. of Instruction I.E.Bryan Rept. 4Tth Dist E. H Funston 

•County Attorney I. H. Richards Rept. 4*th Dist R.V.Blair 

November. 1873— Votes cast 1205 

Treasurer J.B.Young Commis.sioner 1st I'ist M. Uawlev 

Slieriff ). L,. WiKKlin I l*ommi,ssi.>ner 2nd Dist -L M . Gorrell 

County Clerk T. S. Stover Commissioner 3rd Dist . J. W. Christian 

Register of Deeds G.M.Brown Rept. 47th Dist J. L Arnold 

Coroner C. Gillihan Rept. 48lh Dist S. H. Stevens 

Surveyor G. DeWitt I 

November. 1876— Votes cast 1.t63 

Clerk District Court C.M.Simpson Probate Judge W.G.Allison 

Supt. of Instruction Frank Root Rep. 52nd Dist J. L. Arnold 

County Attorney Pe'er Bell Rep. 53rd Dist- L. \V. Kepliuger 



^■OODSON COUNTISS, KANSAS. 

NovEMBEK. 1877— Votes cast 1258 

Treasurer - I. B. YoutiK I Coroner C. Glllihan 

■Oounly Clerk T. S. Stover I Commissioner 1st Dist Peter Lodk 

Register of IJeeds Jesse Fast | Commissioner '2ml Dist J, D. Sims 

Sheriff - -A Hodgson I Commissioner 3i'd Dlst J. W. Christian 

Surveyor . G. DeWitt | 

November, 1878— Votes cast 1770 

Clerk District Coart Wm Davis | Probate Judge W. G. Allison 

County Attorney W. H. Slavens i Commissioner 1st Dist Peter Long 

Supt. of Instruction- ,- . Frank Root I 

XovEMBEK, 1879— Votes cast 1575 

County Clerk T. S. Stover I Surveyor G. DeWitl 

Treasurer W. H. McClure I Coroner A. J.Fulton 

Register of Deeds Jesse Fast I Commissioner 2na Dist A. J. McCarley 

Sheriff- J.D.Sims | 

November. 1880 -Votes cast 2427 

Rep. 52nd Dist S. B. Stevenson I County Attorney J. O. Fife 

Rep. 53rd Dist I. W. Cox I Supt. of Instruction _ Frank Root 

Probate Judge \V. G. Allison I Commissioner 3rd Dist H. Lieurance 

<_'lerk District Court Wm Davis | 

XovEMBER. IS8I —Votes cast 1«79 

Treasurer \V. H. McClure | Surveyor. G. DeWitl 

County Clerk T. S. Stover i Coroner A.J Fulton 

Register of Deeds J. T. Fast Commissoner 1st Dist G. W. Moon 

Sheriff D. Worst I 

NoVEtlBBB. 1882— Votes cast 22i>5 

Clerk District Conn A.C.Scott I Probate Judge W.G.Allison 

■I'ounty Attorney G.A.Amos Commissioner 2nd Dist A. J. McCarley 

Supt. of Instruction J E.Henderson I 

XOVEMBER, 1883— Votes cast 2302 

Treasurer *H. H. Hayward I Surveyor F. Kelsey 

County Clerk .-. -R.W.Duffy | Coroner A. J. Fulton 

Sheriff * S. Riggs Commissioner 3rd Dist W.A.Ross 

JRegister of Deeds J. P. Duncan | 

XoVEMBEB. 1S84— Votes cast 3193 
Probate Judge . - . W. G. Allison 

Clerk District <:oart - M. P. Jacoby 

Supt. of Instruction .1. E. Henderson | 

NoVEMBKK. l«8S-Votes cast 2M5 

Treasurer » H. H. Hayward I Surve.vor ... --- G. DeWitt 

County Clerk _ R. W Duffy | Coroner A.J.Fulton 

Sheriff J L.Brown Commissioner 2nd Dist H. L. Henderson 

Register of Deeds J. P.Duncan | 

November. 1886— Votes cast 2391 

County Attorney * C. R Benton | Supt. of Instruction *M. E. Chamberlain 

Probate Judge J.L.Arnold j Commissioner 3rd Dist - - W.A.Ross 

Clerk District Court M. P. Jacoby I 

November. 1887— Votes cast 2698 

County Clerk- - - K. W Duffy | Coroner A. J. Fulton 

Treasurer Wm. Cunningham | Surveyor A.O.Christian 

Register of Deeds J. P. Duncan j Comimssioner 1st Dist C. C, Kelsey 

Sheriff D. D. Britton I 

November 1888— Votes cast 3332 

Probate Judge .- J. L. Arnold 

County Attorney H. A. F.wiiig 

Clerk District Court-- M. P. Jacoby 

November. 1889— Votes cast 2417 

Treasurer ..Wm Cunningham j Coroner W. H McDowell 

County Clerk -E. M. Eckley I Surveyor G. DeWitt 

Register of Deeds J. F. Nigh I Commissioner 3rd Dist D. R. Inge 

Sheriff L. Hobart | 

November, 1890— Votes cast 2909 

Rep. 2lst Dist L. B Pearson I Clerk District Court M. P. Jacoby 

Probate Judge J. L. Arnold ] Supt. of Instruction E. T. Barber 

County Attorney H. A. Ewing | Commissioner 1st Dist tWm Braucher 

November. 1891- Votes cast 2725 

Treasurer -G.M.Nelson | Surveyor G. DeWitt 

County Clerk E. M. Eckley I Coroner HA Urown 



HISTORY OF ALLEN ANI> 

Sheiifl L. Ilobarl I Commissioner 2nd Dist E. I. Croweil 

Register of rji-eds. I.l-'.Nisth | 

NoVEMBEB. 1S92 -Votes cast 30t)5 

Rep. 19'.ti Dist L. B. Pearson I Supt of Instruction. H.H.Jones 

Probate .ludife J. L Arnold County Attorney 'A. H. Campbell 

Clerk District Court F.L.Travis | Commissioner Srd Dist E D. Lacey 

XoVEMBEU, ISM— Votes cast 2.i9S 

Treasurer ..G.M.Nelson I Coroner H. A Brown 

County Clerk Jas. WakeUeld I Surveyor G DeWitt 

Sheriff C. C. Ausherman Commissioner 1st Dist N. L. .\rd 

Register of Deeds I.e. Coflleld | 

November. I8114— Votes cast 2953 

Rep. 19th Dist G. DeWitt 1 Clerk District Court 1". L Travis 

Probate J udjje J. 15 Smith 1 Supt. of Instruction HH. Jones 

County Attorney. R.H.Bennett 1 Commissioner 2nd Dist J. M. McDonald 

NovEMBEB lift") -Votes cast 2682 

Treasurer M. L Decker 1 Coroner.. J. K. Jewell 

County Clerk Jas Waketield I Surveyor L. P. Stover 

Sneriff - C. C. Ausherman Commissioner Srd Dist . E. D, Lacey 

Register of Deeds.. J. C. Coflleld | 

NoTEMBEH. 1896— Votes cast 35:B 

ProbateJudge J. B Smith I Supt. of Instruction ...G. Billbi- 

County Attorney -+C. S. Ritter Commissioner 1st Dist tjas. Lockbart 

Clerk District Court H. M. Miller I 

November. 1897— Votes cast 3123 

Treasurer. M. L. Decker | Surveyor L. P. Stover 

County Clerk c. A. Fronk | (Coroner .- J. E. Jewell 

Sheriff H. Hobarl 1 Commissioner 2nd Dist J. M. McDonald 

Register of Deeil- 11. P. Fowler I 

November. 1898— Votes cast 3192 

(!lerk District Court. H.M.Miller ! Probatejudge I. K.Smith 

Supt. of Instruction G. BiUbe j CommLssioner 1st Dist .I.D.Christian 

County Attorney G. R. Gard | 

November, I89ii— Votes cast 3393 

Treasurer Frances Wilson ; Surveyor G. DeWitt 

County Clerk C. A. Fronk 1 Coroner F. D. Teas 

Register of Deeds H. P. Fowler [ Commissioner 1st Dist +Jas. Lockhart 

Sheriff . H. Ilobart 

November. 1900— Votes cast 482.i 

County Attorney * J. F. Goshorn ! Supt of Instruction tHattie Olmstead 

Clerk District Court S. C.Brewster | Commissioner 1st Dist E. H. Tobey 

.judges WHO HAVE SERVED AX,I>EN COUNTY SINCE THE AOOPTION OF THE WYANIxn'TE 
CONSTITUTION! 

Solon O. Thacher.. December 6, 1859 to 1864 I Wm. Spriggs. March to November. ISBT 

D. P. Lowe I Mohn R. Goodin November, 1867 to 1.S74 

One Term of Court. October .1864 I H. W. Talcott November. 1874 to 1884 

D. M. Valentine Novetnber.1864 to 1807 i I,. Stillwell November. 1884 to 



WOODSON COrXTlES, KANSAS. 69 



iScncva 

HY C. L. KNOWLTON 

Geneva is situated in the north-west part of the count}-, between Mar- 
itin and Indian creeks. The location is one of much natural beauty, and 
from its first settlement, the community- has been one of the most intelligent 
and thrift}- in the county. 

The idea of establishing a colony in Kansas territor}-, which resulted 
in the founding of Geneva, originated in St. Johns, Michigan. Dr. Stone 
and Merritt Moore were among the first to agitate the question there, and 
Mr. Moore went to Java, New York, his former home, where he aroused 
quite an interest in the proposition. 

In the .spring of 1857, ^ committee composed of Dr. Stone and Merritt 
.Moore of St Johns, Michigan, and Deacon E. Fi.sk of Java, New York, 
were sent to Kansas to select a location for the colony. After traveling over 
a considerable portion of the then famous Neosho Valley, the}- selected the 
site that is still the City of Geneva. Upon their return home and making 
their report, J. H. Spicer, Geo. F. Wait, E. J. Brinkerhoff, J. M. Mattoon, 
Frank Freidenberg and others from St. Johns, Michigan, left for Kansas. 
This advance guard of the colony, traveling of course by wagons, stopped 
on the bank of Indian creek and decided to call cheir town Eureka. After 
iurther consideration, however, the present name was chosen. 

During the following summer and fall, S. T. Jones, Dr. B. I. G. Stone, 
A. P. Sain, J. C. Redfield, J. M. Mattoon, W. E. Holbrook, Geo. Esse, H. 
R. Sommers, J. R. Stillwagon, P. P. Phillips, E. Fisk, Rev G. S. North- 
rup, P. A. Holman, P. R. McClure, Chas. Vanwert, Geo. Stevens, W. P. 
Samms, Mr. Demings, "Lawyer" Adams and the Stigen waits arrived. 
Among those w-ho settled near Geneva but were not connected with the col- 
ony were the Fuquas on the river south-west of the village, on the land now 
owned by D. R. Inge and J. F. Fry, both now of Neosho Falls, Kansas. 

Anderson Wray, located on Martin creek on the farm now owned by 
D. L. Hutton. He came in the spring of 1855. His daughter, Mrs. Geo. 
Hall, is still living in the township. 

J. K. McQuigg and his brother "Bob" located on the south bank of 
the river, on land now owned by Jacob Heath and parf of Mr. Jones farm. 
They came from Tennessee in the summer of 1855. J. K. McQuigg is still 
a resident of Allen County, living now in lola. 

A. C. Smith located on Martin creek. His sympathies were against 
the Abolition Colonists, and as he had the reputation of backing his opinion 
with his revolver, he was, a terror to the "Yankee Colonists." After the 



70 rrisroRY of ai.len a.vd 

war he moved to Montana, where he studied law, and is still practicing hi* 
profession, making a living by shooting off his mouth instead of his revolvers, 

Jeremiah R. Sencenich settled on the farm east of Martin creek, novir 
owned by Mrs. Lura Leake. He served as second lieutenant in Company 
I), 9lh Kansas Volunteers, during the war. 

C. h. Colman located a claim joining Geneva on the north-east. He 
was captain of Company D, 9th Kansas, and made quite a reputation during 
the war as leader of scouting parties. 

Dennis Mortimer and his brother-in-law, Anthony Fitzpatrick , settled 
on farms south of the village, still occupied by their families. 

During the winter of 185 ■> and 1859, .\ustin Carpenter and his brothers, 
James and J. C. , came to the neighborhood. Austin moved to Johnson 
County, Kansas, after the war, and has held quite a prominent place in the 
politics of that county. J. C. went back to Pennsylvania, where he joined 
the army, serving during the war, holding every office from a private to 
colonel in his regiment. He is now state senator for the district south of 
this. James' family still lives on the farm .settled by him. 

William Denney, who has owned and improved more farms than any 
other man in Kansas, came about the same time. 

A. W. Howland, who has retired from active busine.ss life, having by 
hard knocks dug out a fortune from the soil he came near starving on, dur- 
ing the first years of his resideiK-e here, was among the early settlers. His 
brother, J, H. Howland, came with him. He still owns and lives on the 
farm he first settled and is now extensively engaged in the poultry business. 

Others of the early settlers whose names are readily recalled are G. M. 
Brown, who was several terms Register of Deeds for the county and whose 
death at an advanced age resulted from a railrtjad accident within a few 
yards ot his home in lola; his brother "Dick'" Brown: \Vm. A., Henry and 
Robert Hyde; Henry Grimm and his uncle, Daniel Grimm, who came from 
Nassau, Germany, and Win. Noble, whose daughters, Mrs. James Hersh- 
berger and Mrs. Oscar Myers, are now living in lola. Of the original set- 
tlers J. H. Spicer, J. M. Mattoon, J. P. Dickey and George Esse are still 
living in the village they helped to found. 

Rev. S. G. Northrup wrote to his brother, L L. Northrup, then en- 
gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at Thorntown, Indiana, trying 
to get him interested in the colony, and with such effect that in the fall or 
winter of 1857 L. L. Northrup and J. T. Dickey decided to visit the pro- 
posed site of the colony and judge for themselves. Upon their arrival at 
Kansas City they could not procure any kind of transportation so they 
decided to walk, which they did, making the trip in about four days. While 
here Mr. Northrup contracted to erect and operate a steam saw mill on con- 
dition that the colonists should give him 160 acres of timber land and 
should furnish him all the sawing he could do at $15 per thousand, the 
first manufacturing enterprise in the county to be gi\en a bonus. The mill 
was erected according to contract on the banks of Indian creek, on the land 
now owned by C. N. Spencer. At the same time Mr. Northrup brought in 
a stock of general merchandise, the largest stock theu in southern Kansas. 



"WOODSON COrNTIES, KANSAS. 7l 

He continued to operate both mill and store until 1862, when he sold his 
mill to Goss & Clarke of Xeosho Falls. He then moved to Tola and started 
-another store, his brother Gilbert taking charge of the store here. After- 
wards L. L,. Northrup formed a partnership with J. M. Evans, (father of 
the Evans Brothers, of lola.) who managed tire store until Mr. Evans" 
death, which occurred in 1870. 

It had been the intention of the founders of the colony to establish a 
large non-sectarian college and academy. Elaborate plans had been drawn 
and part of their Professors were among the early colonists. Not one-fourth 
of the three hundred families that were expected came, however. The 
college was never built, yet notwithstanding drouth and famine in i860, 
and the ravages of war from 1861 to- 1865, the original idea was so far 
adhered to that the colonists never lost an opportunity of securing subscrip- 
tion to build some kind of an educational institution. They worked until 
they procured notes and cash to the amount of $2000.00 and the town com- 
pany donated i6o acres of Geneva town lots. In 1866 the Academy Board 
purchased a building then used for hotel purposes, and employed David 
Smith to run the institution. He proved to be one of the ablest instructors 
■ever in Allen county, but on account of differences abotit the management 
of the institution he resigned and moved to Carlyle. where he taught until 
his death. In 1S67 J. M. Evans contracted with the Academy Board to 
erect the building according to their plans, taking for his compensation 
what cash and notes they hid, the building bought by them for temporary 
.school purposes and about eighty acres of their town lots. Just prior to 
making this con'ract the Academy Board deeded the ground upon which 
the Academy is erected to the Presbyterian church, from the erection fund 
of which they borrowed $500, with the understanding that the building 
was to be leased to the Academy Board for ninty-nine years for educational 
purposes. The building was completed during the summer of 1867, and it 
was generally understood that Mr. Evans had to go deep down into his own 
pocket to finish his part of the contract. The Board employed Rev. S. M. 
Irwin to take charge of the .school commencing September 1867. His man- 
agement was very suoces.sful for a number of years. H. L. Henderson with 
Miss Jennie Pickell (now Mrs. Dr. Fulton, of lola) as assistant, then taught 
for one year, and were followed by a Mr. Rhoades and Professors Thomp- 
son and Robertson who each taught one year. Then as an Academy it was 
lieard of no more. The building is still owned by the Presbyterian church 
and used by them for church purposes. Rev. S. M. Irwin is still their pas- 
tor, he having preached for them for more than thirty-four years. 

The original colonists were mostly Congregationalists. The first year 
after making their .settlement, they erected a frame church building on the 
land just west of the townsite. Rev. Gilbert Northrup was their first pas- 
tor. Mr. Northrup was one of the most energetic workers of the colony 
and it was principally by his work that funds for the erection of the Acad- 
emy building were procured, he having donated S500 towards that object. 
He aLso took the lead in raising funds to build the Congregational church. 
Mr. Northrup was succeeded as pa.stor by Rev. Henry Jones, who preached 



•J2 HISTORY OF ALtE.V XKXJ 

until 1S67. In 1866 the church erected a substantial stone edifice. J. P, 
Dickey was "boss" carpenter and Mr. Uptton laid the stone, tended by his"- 
son Joe Upton, the same J. B. Upton who was a f)rominent candidate for 
the nomination of Governor of Missouri four \-ears ago. 

After Rev. Jones' pastorate. Rev. Calvin Gray preached for several- 
years, then Revs. Reid, Norris, Tenney, Morse, McGinnis and Francis re- 
spectively, labored for the success of the church. Rev. Fred Gray is the 
present pastor. 

A postoflSce was established rn 1857 with Dr. Stone as postmaster and 
J. M. ^Iattoon as assi.stant. Dr. Stone held the commission for two years 
after which Mr. Mattoon was appointed, which appointment he held. for 
nearly forty years. During most of the time he served also as Justice of the 
Peace and was for many years County Commissioner. During Harrison's 
administration Postmaster General Wanamaker wrote to Mr. Mattoon stat- 
ing that he was one of four of the oldest postmasters in continuous service 
in the United States and requesting him to send his photograph and saying 
he would be pleased to have him make any suggestion that would be for 
the good of the Postal service. In reply the postmaster stated that he did 
not know of anything to suggest unless there could be some way to raise the 
salaries of the fourth class postmasters. After serving his country for forty 
years, at an average salary of about $100 a j'ear, it was not strange that he 
thought .some plan ought to be found to increase their pay. 

There was at first considerable controversy over claims and some vio- 
lence almost approaching rioting occurred. One of these took place when 
the Fuqua crowd met the colony to settle rival claims of George Esse and 
Len Fuqua to the land now owned by Geo. Lynn. Fuqua used his rifle as 
a club and Mr. Ksse's head still aches when he thinks of the biow he got 
that day. J. E. Redfleld also came in contact with this same gun barrel 
and for awhile it was thought he had received his death blow. Another 
afiray that came near ending fatally was when A. C. Smith got it into his 
head that Anderson Wray had wronged him. Smith owned the claims 
now owned by J. D. Sims, Wray owned the claims south of him and had 
gone to Ft. Scott for the purpose of entering his claim. Smith heard that 
he had also entered his. Just at sundown Smith saddled his mule, took 
his revolver and started to Ft. Scott. Next morning just at sun up. Smith 
rode into a camp near Turkey creek in Bourbon county and finding that 
Wray was with them he went into the tent where Wray was and shot him 
through the thigh before any of the bystanders could interfere. 

Dr. Stone was the first physician to locate here, He practiced until 
about the beginning of the war. After him Dr. Southard practiced for 
some years and then returned to LeRoy, Kansas. In 1866 Dr. J. F. 
Knowlton came and practiced until his death in 1S82. Since then Doctors 
Ganze, Campbell and Wilkins practiced here until they were called to take 
a higher seat in their profession. 

After J. M. Evans' death, T. L Elliot traded for the stock of goods 
owned by L L- Northrup and the Evans estate and did a good business 
until 1SS2 when he moved to Colonv. Since Elliot's removal, C. L. Knowl- 



WOtnjSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. -J T, 

Ion has been in the general merchandise business at the same old stand. 
D. D. Spicer has a good stock of hardware, and has succeeded to the post- 
mastership which his friends wish he may continue to hold as long as did 
Mr. Mdttoon. 

J. D. Leavitt has a grocei\v and feed store and is apparently doing well. 

R. B. Warner is ringing the old blacksmith shop that was built in i860 
by P. R. McClure. 

Geo. Esse runs the hotel which he built with the e.xpectation of mak- 
ing his fortune boarding college students. 

While the extravagant expectations indulged by the founders of Ge- 
neva have not been realized, yet the village has been what they intended 
first of all it should be, and that is a moral, law-abiding. God-fearing town, 
"a good place to live in." 



•flola 

( AcltBo^vlcdgement is jfratefully m;ide to Mr. W. A. L'ow;in for all tlv.it pirt iif ilie following 
sUetcli i-el.itinK' to the early history of lola. — Ediior.s) 

In the fall of 1858 the settlers on the Neosho River finding that on 
account of inability to get good well water, the town of Cofachique would 
prove a failure and believing that the county .seat of Allen County should 
be as near as practicable in the center of the county decided to locate a new 
town which should have as many advantages and as few disadvantages as 
possible. Accordingly in January 1859 a meeting of all those in favor of 
the new enterprise was called, the meeting being held at the residence of 
J. C. Clark near the mouth of Deer Creek. John W. Scott was elected 
president of the new town company, John Hamilton vice- president, J. M. 
Perkins Secretary, James McDonald treasurer, A G. Carpenter, B. I. G. 
vStone and H. D. Parsons, directors. 

Among those present at this meeting besides those above named were 
Wm. C. Keith, W. H. Cochran, J. C. Redfield. Daniel Horville, J. C. 
Clark, Simon Camerer, J. F. Colborn, L. E. Rhodes, James Faulkner, Eli 
Lorance, W. M. Brown, Nimrod Hankins, W. F. Brocks, John A. Hart, 
J. T. Cornell, Carlyle Faulkner, J. M. Faulkner, J. B. Lampkin, M. A. 
Simpson, J. C. Parsons, Rufus Perkins, H. D. Parsons, Wm. Lewis and 
Aaron Case. 

Two quarter sections north of Elm creek and east of the Neosho river 
owned by J. F. Colborn and W. H. Cochran were selected and A. G. Carpen- 



74 HISTORY OK ALLEN AND 

ter, a brother of Honorable J. C. Carpenter, now of Chanute, was appointed 
surveyor. 

"lola" the Christian name of Mrs. J. K. Colborn was cliosen as the 
name of the future town, The land was surveyed and the newtownsite like 
many Kansas enterprises was on a broad g^uge. Four blocks were set 
aside as a public park on which the future Court House was to be erected, 
avenues loo feet wide surround it. The stock in the company was 
divided into fifty shares and each shareholder was to get twenty lots but he 
was not to get a deed to any until he had put up S300 worth of inipr )ve- 
ments. This was to prevent men from securing control of a great number 
of lots and holding them for speculative purposes without contributing to 
the support of the town. A block was set aside for school purposes, two 
lots at the south-west corner of the park were reser\-ed for a hotel, others 
for churches, a college, and to secure the location of the United States land 
office. One hundred lots were donated to the county to "permanently locate 
the county seat at lola," other lots were offered to any one who would 
build on them. 

The first house to be erected in town was built by Bolivar Buckner 
Bayne, a relative of Gens Bolivar and Buckner of Kentucky. This was a 
log house which di.sappeared several years ago but the frame addition to 
which yet .stands on South Washington avenue and is now occupied by 
Mr. Chase as a restaurant. It was bought by J. M. Cowan in July. 
i860, and still remains in the family. 

The first frame house was built by J. F. Colborn and became the birth- 
place of the first lola baby, Mi.ss Luella Colborn, now Mrs. \V. P. North- 
rup, of Wallace, Idaho. 

In i<S6o James Faulkner and Aaron Case moved their stoies from 
Cofachique to lola. Both were small general stores. B. B. Bayne opened 
a dry goods and notion store and J. M. Cowan a grocery store. In the 
winter of i860 and '61 Messrs Howell & Brewster opened a general store. 
Soon afterwards L. L. Xorthrup moved to lola from Geneva. E. A. Howes 
also opened a small stock of notions and in the fall of i860 Dan Horville 
opened a stock of clothing. Later Urs. Gillihan and Packard emptied 
their medicine cases together and the result was the first drug store. 
This passed to Gillihan & Cowan (S. J. Cowan) then to J. M. Cowan & 
Son, then to S. Ridenour & Co. then to John Francis, then to John W. Scott, 
then to Campbell & Burrell. 

Of all the first business enterprises but one, Xorthrup Bros, survives, 
the others having wound up business and quit. 

It is a remarkable fact that for over thirty years there was not a busi- 
ness failure in lola, and it well illustrates the kind of men that have made 
the city what it is now. 

The first bank was started by the leading men of the King Bridge 
Company but retired when the Bridge Company died. 

The second bank was started in 1869 by L. L. Xorthrup, first by simply 
receiving and taking care of the money of his friends and selling his perso- 
nal checks against his deposits in Xew York. The business however soon 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 75 

became large enough to justify a separate establishment and "The Banking 
House of L. Iv. Northrup" was opened in the small brick building on the 
west side of the public square where it remained until destroyed recentlj- 
to make room for the M.isonic Temple when the name was changed to the 
"Xorthrup National Bank" and the business moved to the new National 
Bank building. 

L. L. Northrup, now deceased, was a man of large means when he 
located in lola and to this he added very largely during the civil war by 
the great advance in price of goods so that at the time he entered the bank- 
ing business he was perhaps the wealthie.-.t man in this part of Kansas. A 
hard worker, he gave personal attention to every detail of his business with 
such faithfulness that he generally wrung success from e\erything he 
undertook, and so it was that he had the perfect confidence ot all with whom 
he did business and whei the financial crash of 1873 came he kep this bank 
open and met all deminds. It is believed that but two othsr banks in the 
State braved this storm and b )th of them have since failed. 

The first real estate office was opened by Geo. A. Bowlu.-> in i<S6S. To 
this he added fire insurance and finally in 1885 he established The Bank 
of Allen County of which he is still president and manager. 

The first blacksmith shop was .started by J. F. Colborn. The first 
wagon shop by Geo. J. Eldridge. The first hotel by Mrs. Ross. The first 
grist mill D. R. Harvey, saw mill Wood & Means and a Mr. Jay, Furnit- 
ure and undertaking Joe Culbertson, bakery \V. H. Richards, tin shop 
J. J. Casmire who later added a stock of Hardware. 

In i860 Miss E. G. Hancock opened a private school in her own build- 
ing near where the Star Livery barn now .stands. 

The first public school was taught b)- Miss Hester Walters a sister of 
John Walters, in the building at the corner of West and State streets. In 
this building was also held the first term of the District Court after the 
removal of the county seat to lola. It was also used for some time as a 
nieeting place for the Presbyterian church. 

Soon after the building of the L., L. & G. railroad through lola a 
company was orginized to prospect for coal and a diamond drill was hired 
and the "Acers Well" drilled, the L. , L. & G. railroad paying half the ex- 
pense. 

Next the King Bridge Company located a branch of their works in the 
building now used by the Lanyon Zinc Company. The town voted bonds 
to the amount of $50,000 to secure the location of the works. A few bridges 
were built in the time the shops were in operation, the largest being the one 
across the Kansas river at Kansas City, Kansas. The company soon found 
the business a failure and moved to Topeka. lola then refu.sed to pf-y the 
550,000 bonds and suit was brought to collect them, the case going to the 
Supreme Court of the United States, where the town was successful. The 
bonds however are still outstanding and there are occasional inquiries about 
them. 

The next enterprise was a large grist mill which was begun in what is 
now Gear's addition. The contract was let and the building finished to 



76 HISTORY OK AI.I.KN AND 

llie second slory. Then the promoter started to his old home for his mone\- 
and never returned, it beini; supposed that he was murdered by the Bend- 
ers. The stone work was afterward torn down and the window sills were 
used in the Norlhrup and Cowan buildings on Washington avenue. 

In 1887 the lo'.a Carriage and Omnibus Company secured the old King 
Bridge shops, raised it to two stories an 1 began the manufacture of carriages 
on a large scale, but the business proving a failure was wound up and in 
1896 the buildings were leased to Robert and William Lanyon for smelting 
works. 

The effort to build up a town cost its pronu^ters many thousand dollars. 
Allen County^ accepted the one hundred lots which were sold and thelnoney 
was used to pay for a building for use as a court house. 

The public .square was originally intended for the court house but the 
county being slow about using it for tliat purpose a plan was started to cut 
it up into lots and sell them to pay the King Bridge Company bonds. In 
1872 an act was passed by the legislature authorizing the sale. The board 
of cotmty commissioners met and relinqtii.shed all the county's rights; the 
city council did the same in behalf of the city. The owners of property 
facing the square agreed to quit claim any interest they might have, and 
finally the lola Town Company authorized its president to deed the prop- 
erty to John Francis, Daniel Horville and Geo. A. Bowlus, trustees, to sell 
the same and pay off the bonds. By this time, however, the Bridge Com- 
pany began to move and it was decided to contest the validity of the bonds 
in the courts rather than pay them, and so the whole plan was abandoned 
and the propert)' returned to where it was before. 

"The Schemes That Failed" would be an appropriate title for a cliap- 
ter which should attempt to give in detail the industrial iiistory of lola from 
1887, — or indeed from the beginning for the matter of that, — to 1896. 
.Ambitious and energetic, the business men of the town, from the very day 
of its founding were always casting about for the establishment of some 
enterprise that might furnish employment to labor and thereby bring lola 
a greater support than that afforded by the country trade. Some of the 
more notable of these, — the prospecting for coal, the location of the Bridge 
Company, the establishment of a Carriage Factory, — have already been 
noted. Innumerable smaller enterprises were undertaken from time to 
time, puslied with all possible zeal as long as there was any thing to push, 
only to be abandoned at last. To set out in detail all these undertakings, 
if not an impossible task, would still be a tedious and profitless one Let 
it suf^ce to say that at the end of thirty-five years of almost incessant effort 
lola remained what it had been from the beginning, a country village, 
a fairly- good trading point but nothing more. The census of 1895 showed 
a population of 1565, and the most sanguine among all her citizens would 
not have dared to predict that he would live to see that number doubled. 

But with the discovery of natural gas, — the story of which is told in 
detail in another chapter, — all that was changed. Almost immediately the 
attention of men with large capital was attracted by the splendid opportunity 
which this discovery opened for investment in manufacturing enterprises. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 77 

and trom that day to this the growth 'of lola has been rapid and continuous, 
until it now stands well up toward the head of the list of Kansas cities in 
wealth and population. 

The first of the great industries to enter the field was the Robert 
Lanyon's Sons' Spelter Company. Robert and William Lanyon, brothers, 
constituted this firm, and in 1896 they completed the first zinc smelter ever 
erected in Allen County. They were followed a year later by W. & J. 
Lanyon, who also built a zinc smelter. (Both these firms afterwards sold 
all their interests to the Lanyon Zinc Compan}- which has since operated 
and largely extended their properties.) Following them, in rapid succes- 
sion, came the lola Brick Company, the lola manufacturing Compan\- (now 
The lola Works of the Pittsburg Foundry and Machine Company, and the 
lola Planing Mill Company), the Geo. E. Nicholson smelter, the Star 
Brick Company and the lola Portland Cement Company. As this chapter 
is written The Standard Acid Company (^William Lanyon) is erecting a 
large Sulphuric Acid plant, and the Lanyon Zinc Company is preparing to 
build a Sulphuric .Acid plant and Zinc Rolling Mills. What the establish- 
ment of these industries has meant to Ida may be seen by reference to the 
statistics of wealth and population appended to this chapter. It has meant 
in brief that lola is no longer a country village but a flourishing city, des- 
tined to be, if not already, the manufacturing metropolis of Kansas. 

Responding to the needs of the increased population, in 1900 the city 
voted SSo.ooo in bonds for the erection of water-works and an electric light 
plant. These were completed April i, igoi, and are now in successful 
operation. 

The educational interests of lola have been from the beginning gener- 
ously advanced and good schools have alwa\-s been maintained. The 
present High School has for years carried a course of study that prepares 
its students for the Freshman class at the State University. It is well 
supported by three splendid ward schools, the four buildings having been 
erected at a cost of $80,000. Thirty-one teachers are employed and the 
enrollment for the current year reached the total of 1705 pupils. In addi- 
tion to the public schools, the lola Business College, established in 1899 by 
the Fesler Brothers, is in successful operation. 

ist B.APTisT The first church to be regularly organized in lola was the 
Church First Baptist church which was organized in the summer of 
i860 at the residence of Joseph Culbertson by Rev. Harris 
and Rev. Sands. Rev. H. K. Stimson, vState Missionary supplied the pulpit 
at intervals for 'Some time but the members finally disbanded and the rec- 
ords were lost. In November i S69 Rev. A. Hitchcock of Humboldt and Rev. 
L. D. Walker of Fort Scott reorganized the church with a membership of 
thirteen. Rev. A. Hitchcock was called to the pastorate and filled the place 
for three months after which the church was without a pastor until July 
1871 when Rev. M. D. Gage of Junction city came here and reorganized 
the church under a state charter with twenty members. He remained with 
the church as pastor until April 1873. During the year 1872 the church built 



78 HISTORY Cjr Al.LKN AND 

and dedicated tlie edifice now occupied by the ciiurcli, at a cost of §7,000. 
Since that time the pulpit has been occupied by the following pastors, Rev. 
I. N. Clark from April 1873 to October 1873, Rev. T. C. Floyd, from Jan- 
uary 1874 to April 1876, Rev. David Fielding of Ottawa filled the pulpit 
during the summer of 1876 as often as his health would permit. Rev. J. W. 
Aitoii, from July 1877 to May [878, Rev. J. N. Wiman, from January 1879 
to August 1879, Rev. T. C. Coffey, from December 1880 to April 1883, 
Rev W. S. Webb from July 1S83 to May 18S6, Rev. C. N. H. Moore from 
Xovember 1886 to March 1891, Rev J. F Huckleberry from February 1S92 
to September 1892, Rev. M. F. King from October 1892 to April 1897, Rev. 
H. G. Fraserfrom August 1897 to February 1899, Rev H. A. Doughty from 
September 1S99 to September 1900. Rev. G. W. Shad wick the present pas- 
tor was called in November 19 10. The membership of the church at present 
is about two hundred, 

PkESBVTEki.\.n Tile First Presbyterian cliurch in lola was organized 

Church June 24th 1864 in a grove on Deer creek, three and one-half 

miles north of lola, by Rev. E. K. Lynn, Rev. Austin 
Warner and Elder J. M. P^vans, of the Carlyle church. About twenty persons 
were enrolled as members, of whom Mrs. Susan Post is the only one who yet 
survives and who has maintained continuous membership. The first ser- 
vices of the church were held in the small house on the corner of West and 
State streets and later in the court house then on the north-west corner of 
the square. The first church building, a brick structure, was completed in the 
spring of 1868 and was rebuilt on the same site in 1891. In 1899 the church 
bought a new site on east Madison avenue where it is expected that a large and 
handsome edifice will soon be erected. The first pastor was Rev. E. K. 
Lynn, who served the church from its organization until 1869. Others 
succeeded him as follows: Rev H. M. Stratton from October 1870 to January 
1873. Rev. J. W. Pinkerton from March 1S73 until his death in Febrnarv, 
1875. Rev. S. G. Clark from July 1875 to April 1878. Rev E. S. Miller 
from February 187910 May 1S86. Rev. W. H. Hyatt from May 1887 to 
October 1891. Rev. Johnston McGaughney for mo.st of the year following. 
Rev. Squier from February 1X93 to May 1898. Rev. J. M. Leonard from 
June 1898 to the present. The church now has over two hundred members. 

United liRETHRKN The United Brethren Church was organized in the 
Church spring of 1892. The present church building was 

dedicated in 1898. The church has been served by 
the following pastors: Revs. J. L Robinson, I^. W. Stone, L. D. Wimmer, 
E. A. and C. V. King (husband and wife), X. L. Vc/.ie and F. M. Gillett. 
the present incumbent. 

Methodist Episcop.-vl The records of the Methodist Episcopal church 
Church are not complete and the exact date of the first 

organization is not known. It is remembered, however, that Methodist 
services were held in the home of Mr J. F". Colborn in September 1859 and 
it .seems probable the church was organized, at least as a mission, then or 



■\VOODSOX COUNTIES, KAXSAS. 79 

soon afterwards. Of the original membership, only Mr. I. B. L,avvyer yet 
.survives. Services were held for a time in lite building on the corner of 
West and State streets, the first public building erected in lola and used as 
a school house as well as a place for religious meetings. Afterwards class 
meetings were held in a stolie building which formerly occupied the present 
site of H. Klaumann's business house. The first quarterh' meeting in lola 
of which any record remains was held in this building May r, iSbo. The 
present building was erected in 1870. As this chapter is written a new and 
handsome structure is under erection. It will cost $10,000 and will be the 
first large and modern church edifice to be erected in lola. The present 
membership of the church is 375. The pastors have' been as follows: 
Revs. N. P. Bukey, i860; Thos'. Willett, 1861: W. T. Travis. 1862; 
W. Kiinberlan, 1863; C. Meadows, 1864; A. B. Walker, 1865-66; C. K. 
Tobias, 1867; G. L. Williams, 186S: E. A. Graham, 1869-70; W. W. Welsh, 
1871; L. M. Hancock, 187-'; Thos. B. Palmer, 187;; H. K. Muth, 1874-76 
J. S. Kline, 1877-80; D. T. Summerville, 1880-81, S. S. Weatherby, 1882- 
83; R. M. Scott, 1884-86; N. B. Johnson, 1887-88; J. B. Ford, 1889, A. S. 
Freed, 1890- 92; Isaac Hill, 189,:; James Hunter. 1894-95; I- R- PnlHam, 
1896-97; A. B. Bruner, 1S98-99; John Maclean, 1 90 j, the present incumbent. 

Christ Ri:formki) Was organized by Rev. D. B. Shuey. .superintendent 
Church of Missions, on July 29th .S83. The following named 

pastors have served this congregation. Rev. vS. A. 
Alt June I.- 1884 to October i, 1889. Rev. J. R. Skinner October i, 1889 
to April I. 1890. Rev. W. E. Shaley August 27, 1890 to December i. 1892. 
Rev. L. S. Faust July I, 1893 to September I, 189S. Rev. D. B. Shuey 
September i, 1898 and is the present pastor. 

The present church and parsonage lot was purchased on May 17. 1884. 
Present church building 30x50 erected in 1888 

St. Timothy's This parish has held services with greater or 
Episcopal. . less regularity since about 1878, at which time it 
was organized under the direction of Bishop Vail. 
Rev. Holden was the first minister, and held services monthlv for 
.several years. The membership of the church was very small, 
and there were considerable periods during which no regular ser- 
vices were held. With the gi-owth of lola, however, the church 
was materially strengthened, and in 1901 a small, but handsome 
church was erected, in which regular services were held bv Rev. George 
Davidson, the pastor in charge 

Catholic The first Catholic .services ever held in lola where held 
Church March 10, 1897, by Father Weikman, in charge of the Hum- 
boldt church. He conducted services regularly each month 
tliereafter until October, 1900, when he went to Europe and was succeeded 
by Father Donohue, who is now in charge and who holds religious services 
every two weeks. The church has bought the old Methodist church and 
parsonage and will be giVen possession as soon at the new M. Iv church is 



So HISTORY oF AI.I.EN AND 

ready for occupancy. Some seventy-five or eighty taiiiilies in lola acknow- 
ledge allegiance to the Catholic church. 

Srcond Bapti.st The Second Baptist Church (colored) was organized 
Chukch November i8, 1S76, with Rev. Samuel Clark as pastor. 

Considering its small membership it has done much 
good work, having early secured a church building which served it until 
1S99 when a new and more commodious one was erected. The member- 
ship at present is 38. 

.A.KKICAN Mktiio!)IST This church has been organized for several years 
CiUJKCH. and has done much good among the colored people. 

It owns a church building of sufficient size to ac- 
commodate its congregations, and holds regular services. 

The first news paper established in Tola was the Xeosho Valley Regis- 
ter, which was founded in 1866 by W. H. Johnson, now publisher of the 
Salina, Kansas, Sun. After running it for about two years, Mr. Johnson 
sold the paper to H. W. Talcott and Nelson F. .-^cers. Mr. Acers soon 
sold his interest to his partner and Mr. Talcott conducted the paper for 
some numths, selling it then to M. M. Lewis and H. E Mitchell, who 
changed the name to the State Register. Lewis & Mitchell had evidently 
bought the paper "on time" and were unable to meet the deferred payments, 
for after about si.x months under their management it returned to the owner- 
ship of Judge Talcott, who restored the old name, Neosho \'alley Register. 
In 1871 Judge Talcott again sold the paper, this time for good, to G. M. 
Overstreet and W. G Allison. They conducted it for about a year and 
sold it to Lewis Walker. The ne.KC owners wers G. D. Inger.soU and H. A. 
Perkins who changed the name of the paper to the lola Register. They 
were succeeded by .'\lli: on & Perkins, and they by Perkins & Rohrer. In 
1S82 Mr. Perkins bought the interest of his partner, Mr. S. Rohrer, and a 
few weeks later sold the entire plant to A. C. and Chas. F. Scott 
and Edward Rohrer, the name of the new firm being Scott Bros., & Rohrer. 
In September, 1SS4, Chas. V. Scott bought the interest of his brother, and 
about a yeir later he purch.ised that of Mr. Rohrer, since which time he has 
been the sole proprietor. The Register remained a weekly until October 25, 
1897, when the growth of lol-i warranted the establishment of a daily edi- 
tion which has since been continued. The Register has been Republican 
in politics since its foundation and for the greater part of that time has been 
the official paper of Allen county and of lola City. 

The second paper of permanent importance to be started in lola w.xs 
the Allen County Courant, which was founded in 1H83 by H. A. Perkins. 
After running it for about a year Mr. Perkins sold it to \\'. G. Allison and 
G. D. Ingersoll. Mr. Allison later sold his interest to Mr. John Gordon. 
The paper was then sold to Hamm Brothers, who consolidated it with the 
Allen County Democrat, a paper which had been started in 1886 by Mr. J. 
J. Randx). In 1SS9 the consolidated Courant and Democrat were sold to 
Chas. F. Scutt and consolidated with the Register. The Courant was 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 8 1 

Started as a Republican paper but became Democratic upon its purchase b}- 
Hamm Bros. The Democrat was Democratic from the beginning. 

The organization of the Farmer's Alliance resulted in the establish- 
ment in 1S90 of the lola Farmer's Friend. The paper was owned by a 
stock company and A. H. Harris was the editor and publisher of the paper. 
During the next three years there were numerous changes in the name at 
the head of the paper, A. H. Harris being succeeded by Harris & Wixson, 
they by Wixson Brothers, they by Bartlett & Weber, they by Welker & 
Weber. In 1893 the paper passed into the hands of C. vS. Rilter who has 
since remained editor and proprietor. It has always adhered to the 
Populist party. 

The Allen County Herald was established in 1890 by S A. D Cox. 
This paper was but a side issue of the Humboldt Herald and the proprietor 
gave it but little personal attention, leasing it to first one and then another. 
It therefore led a precarious existence and in 1893 was consolidated with 
the Farmer's Friend. During its life time the Herald was of the Demo- 
cratic faith. 

The Western Sentinel was established as a Democratic paper in 1896 
by J. B. Goshorn. In 1899 the paper was sold to Mr. L. I. Purcell, who 
changed its name to the Allen County Democrat. Later Mr. M. Miller 
was associated with Mr. Purcell in the publication of the paper. In 1900 
Mr. Miller retired and Mr. Purcell associated with him Mr. W. W. French 
and Mr. H. D. McConnaughty and began the publication of the Daily 
Democrat. This venture not proving successful, was abandoned after three 
months and the firm was dissolved, Mr. French retaining the Weekly 
Democrat which he .still publishes. 

The lola Daily News was started in 1896 by Mr. Ed. S. Davis. After 
being published about a year it was bought by and consolidated with the 
Daily Register. 

The lola Daily Record was established in 1898 by Mrs. Jennie ]?urns. 
After having been published for a little more than a year the paper got into 
financial straights and Mrs. Burns retired from its management, being- 
succeeded by A. P. Harris, as editor, W. C. Teats as business manager, and 
R. W. McDowell as circulator, who are at present in charge of the paper. 

Statistical liable 

Showing ©rowtb in iPomiliition anO TRUealtb of UUen County ana llola Citg 



YE.ll 


(I$jU; 
to be 1 


1 the Couu 
obtained. 

I'OPULATI 

-\; 8tfJ4 
10116 


ity and the (' 
-Editoks ) 


iW reeordsare 

ALLEN 
VALUATION 
S 2312829 


incomplete. 

COUNTY 
YEAK 

1887 

1888 

1889.- 

189D -.. 

1891- 

1892 

18S3 

1884 

1895 


the following a^iures b 

POPULATION 

14648 -. 

13818 


leinttalUhat are 

VALUATION 










1:1128-29 
1315975 
-- U0HI391 
2ilIO(i21 
193425fi 
I9IS4-I.5 
1895314 
1990.i6fi 






1.3347 

- 12713 




ISVi 






18T6.- 
1877- 
1878- 

i«rn 


--- 12960 -- 

- --12679 

— 12372 

---. 12770 

— .13726 


3466170 

32-542.n 

- 3360110 


18<t0 


..-.10417 


-- SWigOO 



82 HISTOKV OF Al.I.K.N AND 

VBAK WIl'UI.ATM.N VAl.lATl'lN VKAll l"i iIMI.ATH >X VAI.UATHiN 

18*11 -lO'lSS i(lu5iH5 |89'j I41S3 337P16" 

1S82..-- 1109*< 23!ln7ll 1897 14441 _ :)362:!I5 

1883 1'«>t2 . •i)774«S lf96 1S905 381871U 

1S84 14173 . 2.V>lil6U 180,) 17483 , 408933: 

ia85 14540 . 264WI85 19C0 1992:) 56:)6:i-23 

1886 1570H .. 2««9020 

IOI.A I'lTV 

1S79 966 t 1890 -. _ ._.l."iOS __. 2."i6U'5 

1S80 ---10(11 1891 - - 1513 - :rMlr> 

1881 814 189'.' 1621 ■.M994.'i 

1882 U17U l«;)48n 1^9! 1433 245ll8:i 

1S33 14811 .. 19)32U 1894 1585- 258970 

1814 - - 15(i(l ... 220083 1895 15'j7 ... 2493f)5 

18« IBIfl . 244952 18915 1800 - 24S570 

1S83 ---1451 2<15;9 1897 2145 - - . 259210 

!887 1712 2461)48 1898 3531 .-- -.-- 5(i73fi0 

1888 l'8i 249120 1893 4112 549930 

1880 ...1087 226767 19110 61,53-- 980430 



fll>oi*an. 

BY MRS. H. L. HASSETT 

111 the suiniiier of iSSi, the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company built 
the long desired railroad through Allen County. The citizens of Manna- 
ton township, eager tor improved facilities, at a mass-meeting in the Wal- 
nut Grove school-house, had voted the necessary bonds. This company 
agreed to locate a depot within a mile of the middle of the township, but it 
was uncertain for a time what site they w'ould choose. At first all trains 
stopped on the corner of N. G. Brown's section. Those living two miles 
west at Fair Lawn, were eager to have the station there, but largelj- 
through the influence of the late Dr. Henry M. Strong, the company decid- 
ed on the present location, midway between the two places. Where 
Moran now stands corn and oats were growing luxuriantly. James Meade 
and Win. Finley owned most of the land north of the track. These gen- 
tlemen, aided by Dr. Strong, P. J. McGlashan, C. P. Keith and others, 
advocated that site, but John A. Epling, Ezra Rhodes, James Armstrong 
and George McLaughlin, hoped to see the business part of the town south 
of the half section line followed by the railroad. The latter secured the 
services of G. DeWitt, and had their location surveyed and recorded as 
Moran, while the railroad company had their men do the survej'ing north 
of the track, and it w-as recorded Moran City. The blocks on the north 
side are smaller than those on the south, so the streets fail to connect. In 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 83 

two or three years the business houses were all on the north side. When 
application for a postoffice was made it was named Morantown, and not 
until 1900 was that changed to Moran. L. M. West was the first post- 
master. Notwithstanding its variety of names, the new town had a healthy 
growth. David Mitchell opened a lumber yard, which in 1882 he sold to 
S. C. Varner, who still carries on that business. The Farmers' Restaurant, 
erected by West & Davis, was the first business building. Robert Dawson 
was the first merchant. His store was on part of what is now known as 
"the burnt district." E. F. DeHart & Son had a stock of general mer- 
chandise on the south side, and later enlarged their building and kept a ho- 
tel, known as the "Commercial House." The first hotel and livery on the 
north side belonged to Riley Daniels. They, too, were on the'burnt dis- 
trict. N. S. Smith built a livery barn, where that business is still contin- 
ued. It has changed hands several times, but is now owned by George 
Moore. L. H. Gorrell & H. B, Smith were the first blacksmiths. The 
site of their shop is still occupied by Mr. vSmith, who now deals in wagons 
and farm implements. L. B. Kinne, in the fall of i88i, opened a grocery 
and drug store. He has been and still is, one of the m^it public-spirited 
and successful business men in the place. J. E. Hobby opened a grocery 
about the same time, and is one of Moran's substantial business men. Old 
Mr. Southard bui-lt a store where the Moran Bank now stands, and dealt in 
general merchandise. In the low attic of that building his daughter, Miss 
Abhie vSouthard, taught the first private school in Moran. W. J. vSteele 
was the first hardware merchant to locate here. H. B. Adams and Chas. 
Mendcll purchased his stock and building in 1889. In 1895 Mr. Men- 
dell bought out .Mr. Adams, and the business is still continued at the old 
stand, but in far more commodious quarters, for Mr. Mendell in i -joo put 
up a new building on the old site, which is well adapted to his needs. 
The second floor is a public hall, and supplies a much-needed convenience. 

Mitchell and Housted were the south side hardware merchants. Af- 
ter changing hands two or three times, this stock of goods was purchased 
by S. C. Varner, who had already opened up a store of that kind, and who 
still continues that business. He also for years has engaged in other 
branches of mercantile business, and has done considerable building in dif- 
ferent parts of town. The first meat market was located in a small build- 
ing on the south side of the square. Its owner, Mr. Devons, soon became 
discouraged and quit. A little later, W. C. Carter and Wm. Finley opened a 
meat market, which after changing hands once or twice, was bought, in 
1885, by Joshua Rumbel. He or one of his sons continued in the business 
until 1900, when W. J. Rumbel sold out to E D. Rapp. The elevator was 
built by Mr. Rosch, who soon sold it to A. W. Beck. It has had several 
proprietors, and is now under the management of Bailey Palmer. J as. 
Fuhvider was the first barber. His shop was in his residence, which still 
stands. The Misses Fairman were the first milliners, but the}' were not 
long left without rivals, as Miss Minnie Ross and Mrs. Seldomridge, each 
soon claimed her share of patronage. 

Union religious services were first held in the depot, .\fter the erec- 



84 HISTORY OK A1.I.I;N AND 

tion of the school house it was used till the Presl>yteriaii cluirch was com- 
pletetl, when it was no longer needed for such purposes. 

Deceniljer lo, 1S92, the Presb> terian church was 0rg.Mii7.ed with nine- 
teen members, who were cared for by Rev. E. S. Miller, of lola. In i8Hf, 
they built a church which was dedicated July 20, 1884 The union S. S. 
had its home there until each of the denominations represented withdrew 
and established its own service. In 1895 a parsonage was built north of 
the church. The ministers who have served this cluirch are Revs. Ruther- 
ford, King. Wilson, Millarti, Hawkins, Evans, Cantrall and Barr. Rev. 
F. W. Mitchell, a graduate of Princeton seminary is now the pastor. His 
people are united in him, and the church is prospering. It has eighty- 
five members. 

In 1S84 the Methodist Prote.stant church was organized, with about 
twenty members. Their first pastor was Mr. Wayland, and largely through 
his persistent efforts, their church was the second one erected in Moran. 
Their parsonage, the second one in town, was built just south of the 
church. They have since sold it, and built one more commodious, on the 
east side. There are fifty names on their church roll. They have had as 
pastor Revs. Wayland, Voung, Brown, McAdams, Daley. Lane, Buck- 
iier. Chamlin, vSlater, Hinshaw and Mellors. Rev. R. H. N. McAdams 
who now has charge of the church has been here two years. He is earnest 
and faithful, and his work has been blessed. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1882, and with 
thirty-five members. In the fall of 1884 they built a church which was 
dedicated free of debt, in 1889. They provided a parsonage in 1883 which 
has made a good home for some excellent ministers. Those who have Ijeen 
shepherds of this flock are Revs. Anderson, Stradforth, York, Swartz 
Means, Bruner, Emerson, Siess, Holtz, Howard, Riess, Moore and 
McNabb. The present pastor is Rev. G. B. Mehl, who has proved a zeal- 
ous, untiring worker. His labors have been blessed. The church now 
has one hundred and thirty-five members. 

In the summer of 1883 the Christian church was organized by J. 
Shively at the school house, with a membership of fifteen, and reorganized 
in the Presbyterian church in the winter of 1885, by Henry Martin, the 
first pastor. In 1887 they built a house of worship. They now have sev- 
enty-five members. They have had as ministers Elders Dunkleberger, 
Lamb, Porter, Moore, Cash and Klinker. 

The Baptists met and organized in the Presbyterian church. In 1892 
they organized in the Christian church, with about twenty members. 
That same year they built, and built well. It is to be regretted that this 
church has been exceptionally unfortunate in losses, by death and removal. 
It is three years since they have had a settled pastor, and for a year they 
have not kept up regular services. They have enjoyed the ministrations of 
Elders Trout, Woods, Day and Collins. 

In the early days of Moran a German Reformed church was organized, 
but they never built here, and finally disbanded, most of their members 
identifving themselves with theii church at Allen Center. Rev. S. A. Alt 



\VOOr).SOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 85 

was the faithful p.istor of this flock till 1889, when Rev. Mr. Skinner was 
his successor. Rev. L. S. Faust, ol lola, was iu charge when the church 
disbanded. 

All our churches have sustained heavy losses by death and removal. 
Most of them have active Sabbath schools, and live young people's organi- 
zations that are doing good work. 

In 1877 Dr. Henry M. Strong removed from lola to his farm, which 
is now owned b}' A. J. Eflin, and from that time to the fall of 1882 was 
truly a good Samaritan to any sick neighbor, refusing to accept any re- 
muneration for medical services. How many he helped and how deep was 
their gratitude eternity alone can reveal. In the fall of 1882, J. E. Jewell, 
M. D., located in Moran. In the spring of 1884, Dr. G. B. Lambeth loca- 
ted here. Again and again some third physician has tried to gain a foot- 
hold, but after a short time has sought some other place in which to prac- 
tice his profession. 

In the fall of 1882 a school house was built east of the square, and the 
first teacher was Mr. Ed. Muth. School opened with a larger number on 
the roll than was shown by the census taken in August. As the town 
grew the school building was found inadequate, so in 1884 the original 
building was removed to make A place for a main building of two rooms, 
and the original has since been known as the north wing. The school did 
good work, and its increasing efficiencj-, as well as the growth of the town, 
made it necessary in 1892 to enlarge its quarters, so the main building was 
raised. This gave five rooms, but as only four were then needed, the 
north wing was unu.sed for a year. In 1893 the need of a high school was 
so pressing that the proper steps were taken, and three years added to the 
course of study. That the school has done good work has been repeatedly 
demon.strated here, by the scholars who have left it to take their places 
among the respected workers and citizens of Moran. Not a few of its 
scholars have gone out to teach others what they learned here. Many a 
home is blessed by the influence that can be directly traced to the Moran 
school. Those who have gone to higher institutions of learning have 
proved without exception, that their Alma Mater was one of which to be 
proud, and she has had good reason to be proud of them. Prof. C. W. 
Kline is now its principal, and his efficient corps of assistants is made up of 
.Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Collins, Miss Keith and Mrs. Thomas. The school is a 
credit to the place. Those who have taught in it are Messrs. Muth, 
Johnson, Carter, Courtney, Coulter, Fogleman and Kline. Messrs. Ad- 
ams, Russ, Smith, Mayhu, and their wives; Mesdames Anderson, Millard, 
Barton, Collins and Thomas; the Misses Newman, Gay, Culbertson, Spen- 
cer, Brown, Pember, Ireland, Bryden, Corn, Donica, Esse, Rennells, Fuss- 
man and Keith. , 

An enterprising town like Moran early felt the need of a newspaper of 
its own, so a company was formed, in which prominent and public-spirited 
citizens took stock, and the Moran Herald came into existence. Henry 
Armstrong was its editor, and its first issue was in 1883.. Two or three 
years later G. D. IngersoU bought the paper, and later it changed hands 



86 HISTOKV OK AI.I.KN AND 

several times, being successively owned by Leo. Fesler, \V. G. Allison. 
Smith & -Matthews, and Jay Matthews. In 1897 it was purchased by C. C. 
Thomas, who still owns it. His faithful efforts and careful attention to 
business, have secured for it a place in the front ranks of papers of its kind. 

In 1887 the M. K. & T. built a road that gave direct communication 
with Kansas City and Parsons. This was a distinct advantage to the town 
in many ways, and greatly increased the shipping facilities for stock 
raisers. 

In the matter of Ijanks, Moran hus been ([uite unfortunate. W'inans & 
Post, from Erie, opened and closed their bank in iS,S8. They paid up all 
tlieir liabilities. S. C. Varner established the Peiiple's Hank in 1888. 
which suspended in 1896 Later all depositors were paid. The Moran 
bank after five or six years existence went into the hands of a receiver in 
i8g8. It has paid up all claims with interest. In 1899 the Moran State 
Bank was incorporated, and a long and prosperous life is anticipated for it. 

The year 1897 was a disastrous year for Moran. Several fires did 
much harm, but the one most sweeping did its w )rk on Sabbath evening in 
August, when nearly all the buildings on the west side of .Spruce street 
ea.st of Randolph, were destroyed. Mauley's hall, Ross <.Sc Augustine's of- 
fice and store room, Stoddard & Young's millinery, Twineham's harness 
shop, the Virginia hotel, Stephenson's racket, Willoughby's furniture store. 
Young's real estate office and Strickler's restaurant, were left but smoking 
ruins. The burnt district still remains a sad reminder of that terrible con- 
llagration. 

There is no dearth of societies here. The A. O. U. W. and Degree of 
Honor, the M. W. A., Free Masons, Odd Fellows and Rebeccas, Knights 
and Ladies of .Security and Fraternal Aid, are all represented. The Home 
Coterie, a literary organization, has lived through eight happy and pros- 
perous years. 

A history of Moran which said nothing about its music would indeed 
be incomplete. Few towns of its size have possessed so many musical and 
music-loviuj; people. In 18S2 or 1883 the Moran orchestra was organized 
by P. J. McGlashan, who was at all times its leader. The charter mem- 
bers were P. J. McGlashan, first violin; Wm. Wheeler, second violin; S. N. 
Steele, cornet; H. H. Smith, bass viol; Miss Abbie .Southard, piano. After 
the marriage and removal of .Miss Southard, Miss Floy .McGlashan filled 
the position of pianist. In the early days of the town W. H. UeHart or- 
ganized a brass band, and a little later S. N Steele organized another. In 
about a year they consolidated. The orchestra and brass band gave their 
first concert in the Presbyterian church before it was plastered, and from 
that time it only needed to be known that the Moran Orchestra was purposing 
to give 4 concert to insure an interest far and wide. A full house on the 
appointed evening could always be assured, and in the audience could al- 
ways be found people from lola, Savonburg, and other places more or less 
remote. Those annual concerts were the musical events of the year, and it 
is a cause of siucere regret, that removals and death so lessened their num- 
bers that in 1900 the Moran orchestra disbanded. There have been several 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 87 

nuisic teachers here, but for two j-ear.s Miss Floy McGlashan has held her 
place as first. Those who receive invitations to her recitals are counted 
fortunate, and on the rare occasions when her scholars give a concert, a 
large attendance is certain. The present Moran brass band, made up of 
young men, is a comparatively recent organization. Ever\' member has 
joined the M. W. A. 

The contrast between-^Moran eighteen years ago and now is marked. 
It looked then, like many another new town, as though a few dozen large 
boxes had been scattered about carelessly, in which the people were stay- 
ing a few days. Now the town shows that it is regularly laid out; two rail- 
roads pass through it, giving easy and swift communication, to it from all 
points; its school house is comfortable and convenient; there are five 
churches; two telephone companies have offices here, and one of them a 
central station. George Moore owns the livery, and is proprietor 
of the Pennsylvania House, a substantial brick building. The 
Moran State bank owns its commodious brick home. Oral Spencer and 
George Shopshire have each a restaurant. E. D. Rapp owns the meat 
market on Cedar street, and Smith & Knight are proprietors of the market 
on Randolph street. C. B. Keith handles coal and grain. L. B. Kinne 
deals in drugs and groceries. P. J. McGlashan and J. E. Hobby each 
handle groceries, boots and shoes. Frank Messenger carries a good stock 
of general merchandise. S. C. Varner keeps dry goods, groceries, hard- 
ware, queensware and implements, besides dealing in grain and lumber. 
F. E. Twineham keeps harness. Walter Lacey is the jeweler and watch- 
maker. H. B. vSmith deals in wagons and implements. Charles MendeU 
has a fine hardware and tinware stock. The Farmers' and Mechanics' 
Lumber Company are doing a good business. J. F. Willoughby deals in 
furniture. John Hurly is the blacksmith. George Shopshire and W. R. 
Dougherty have each a barber shop. Latham has an egg-packing estab- 
lishment. Mrs Cobb and Mrs. Homer Varner have each a millinery, and 
Mrs. Young and Mr.-^. Minnie Kinne are kept busy in their dress-making 
establishment. 

Moran has now a number of beautiful residences that improve its ap- 
pearance much; but best of all, it has many homes — homes in the truest 
sense of the word, from which goes forth an influence for good at all times, 
and in all directions. 



88 IIISTOUY OF AI.I.KN AMP 



Savonbuvo. 

BY C. .A. Ki:VNOLDS. 

Savoiiburg is located in the extreme southeast corner of Allen county, 
one mile north ol the Neosho county line, and four miles west of the divis- 
ion line between Bourbon and Allen counties. 

The town was founded in 1879, at whicli time the post-office was 
established with John Keen as postmaster. Mr. Keen was the first mer- 
chant, and kept store until iSSi. when he was succeeded by A. Linville. 
In 1S83 Mr. Linville sold out to L B. Murray, who continued the bus- 
iness till 1888. In the eirly spring of 18S8, Chas. Nelson, who was destined 
to play an important part in the building of the town, rented the business room 
of L. B. Murray, and in the early part of May removed from Warnersburg, a 
school district three miles west, about one-half of his stock of general mer- 
chandise. Mr. Nelsi:)n enjoyed a good business from the start, which was 
greatly increased by the patronage of the various gangs of laborers engaged 
in the building of the Kansas City, Parsons & Pacific, now known as the 
M. K, & T. railway, which was completed to this point August ist of this 
year. 

About this time there came a corps of engineers, surveying a route for 
the Kansas, Nebraska & Western railroad, which was at that time the con- 
struction company of the .Santa Fe railway the line of definite location be- 
ing some 600 feet south of Main street. The engineers were seen followed 
by an agent, who came to secure right of way and land for a town site, and 
options were obtained upon .•'40 acres. Shortly after the Santa Fe encoun- 
tered the financial shoals which terminated in a receivership for the com- 
pany, and the project came to naught. In March, i88g, the options which 
had been secured by the company expired. It was then determined by the 
people of the vicinity that it would be advisable to organize a town com- 
pany, and proceed to the building of a town. Accordingly a charter was 
procured, and March 24, 1889, the Savonburg Town and Improvement 
Company formally opened for business, with an authorized capital of §25,- 
000, and under the direction of the following officers: Chas Nelson, presi- 
dent; R. G. Cravens, vice president; L. B. Murray, .secretary; J. T. Bulter- 
field, treasurer. Board of Directors: Chas. Nelson, R. G. Cravens, W. T. 
Huff, S. Huff, Wallace Young, T. B. McGuire, D. Freed, D. W. Craddock 
and J. T. Butterfield. 

Twenty-five acres of ground were at once purchased and platted and 
money raised to erect three business rooms. Charles Nelson then sold his 
stock of merchandise to D. W. Craddock and. upon recpiesi of the Town 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 89 

Compauj-, consented to give his time and energy to push the newly jilatted 
village, which he did zealously and with creditable results. 

As is characteristic of most new towns, Savonburg experienced many 
set-backs and met with no little discouragement, not only to the people al- 
ready here, but to prospective residents as well. The principal difficulty 
experienced at the beginning was the lack of a depot and other railroad fa- 
cilities, without which business was paralyzed and progres.sion greatlv 
handicapped. Nothing but a small platform 8x20 feet alongside the main 
track, and a spur switch 400 feet long had yet been provided, and rival 
towns were therefore privileged to make the assertion that no better facili- 
ties ever would be provided for "the burg" by the railway company. 

Notwithstanding these difficult problems and numerous other hard- 
ships, a little flame of righteou: indignition kindled within the hearts of 
the few brave residents — a flame which was never extinguished by its own 
reaction. 

In March, 1890, complaint having been made by Charles Nelson in 
behalf of the people to the State Board of Railroad Commissioners against 
the M. K. & T. Railway, the representatives of the railway were cited to 
appear and show cause why they should not be compelled to provide the 
needed facilities. It had been shown before the hearing that for eight 
months previous, the company's receipts at this place were $1,000 and over 
per month. The company very wisely decided to at once erect a depot, 
stock yards, sw'itch, etc., and never has it had cause to regret the money 
here invested, as Savonburg for the past ten years has borne the well-mer- 
ited reputation of being the best shipping point on the division. 

When these necessities had been granted by the M. K. & T. people, 
the town was, for the first time, squarely upon its feet, and upon equal 
terms wiih competing points. Rivalry was then laid aside, and all joined 
hands and worked together for the upbuilding of the town and community. 
Thus step by step, vSavonburg has advanced from an insignificant hamlet 
to a substantial country town of about 300 inhabitants, remarkable for her 
business interests, and particularly as a shipping point for live stock, grain 
and broom corn. The town enjoys an immense trade from the west, from 
the prosperous Swedish farmers of East Cottage Grove and Elsmore town- 
ships, and recei\es a large volume of business from the country tributary to 
the town in all directions. 

Many merchants and residents have come and gone within the past 
decade which has marked the town's career. Some have crossed the Dark 
River into eternity. Where others have gone, we do not know; and still, 
a goodly number of the pioneer merchants and citizens are with us today, 
most of them, happily enough, blessed with the comforts of life. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway officials manifest their interest 
in Savonburg by keeping pace with the rapid progress of the town, and 
making such improvements as are demanded from the business public from 
time to time. The recent remodeling and doubling in size of the depot at 
this point is evidence of this fact. The stock yards are also well equipped. 



go IIISTOKV OF AI.I.KN AND 

R. B. Oliver is the present local freight and ticket aiieiit; C. E. Aldrich night 
operator. 

The Savonburg Record was established April r, IS9''^. by C. A. Reyn- 
olds. The paper is wiiiely circulated, and prosjierous Previous to the es- 
tablishnient of the Record, the Trio-Xews, by E. A. Jordan, the Sentinel, 
by T. V. Campbell, and other newspapers suspended puldication, after a 
limited existence. 

The school house was built in 1889, and a few years later enlarged to its 
present size. The district has always employed the best teachers obtain- 
able, and as a consequence, is reputed to be one of the best graded schools 
in the county. U. R. Courtney principal, and Mrs. A. V. Lodge assistant, 
are the proficient instructors now in charge. There are two churches in 
Savonburg, the Methodist Epi.scopal, H. I. Dodsoii pastor, and the 
Friends' house of worship, L. W. McFarland, pastor. The members of 
the Christian church hold ser\'ices at the school house. The Mt. Moriah 
Methodist Protestant church is one mile south of town; James M. Frame is 
the local pastor. 

There are, perhaps, as many lodges in Savonburg as any town of com- 
parative size in the state — Masonic. Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Rebekah, 
Workmen, Degree of Honor, Woodmen, Royal Neighbors, Knights and 
Ladies of Security, and A. H. T. A., all of which are en a sound basis, and 
have large memberships. 

vSavonbuTg is graced by the presence of man)- sihery-haired veterans 
of the civil war, than whom there are no better citizens. 

Savonburg Post No. 421 G. A. R., O. P. Matsoii commander, is a 
worthy and substantial organization. 

Since the building of the town her residents have all been, and are 
today, self-sustaining. It has never been the misfortune of any at this 
place to seek the county's aid for maintenance. Idleness is unknown, and 
loafers are conspicuous only by their absence. 

The question of incorporating the town has been but little agitated, 
and steps have never been taken in that direction, probably for the reasons 
that the best of order is maintained, and the streets and the walks are well 
looked after by the citizens who possess that sense of public pride which 
needs no prompting by a mayor or city council. 




lOI.A HIOH SCHOdL 




AIJ.KN COUNTY COURT HOUSE 



s 



; 5 



r\ JT ^ 




HUMIiOI.DT HICxH SCH(«1I. 




STONY LONESOME 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 9I 



1butnbol^t. 

This is a thriving business town, situated in the southwest part of the 
county. The location is a desirable one, on the level valley land, on both 
the east and west banks of the Neosho river. The business portion of the 
town is on the east bank of the river, and about one-half mile from its bank. 
Coal Creek forms part of the southern limits. The two railroads are the 
Southern Kansas Division of the A. T. & S. F. on the east side, and the 
Missouri Kansas & Texas on the v,'e.st side of the river. 

The population of Humboldt is about 1400, and the town at present is 
about at a standstill, though there are prospects of increased progress in 
the near future. There are here some of the best business houses in the 
county, and the town enjoys a large and prosperous trade. The Neosho 
river furnishes an abundant water power, which has long been utilized 
for manufacturing purpo.ses. The citizens are of a substantial class and 
progressive. 

In the fall of 1856 B. M. Blanton, a Methodist missionary, in making a 
trip through southern Kansas, became impressed with the idea that this 
was an excellent point for the foundation of a town. He returned to Law- 
rence and told his brother, N. B. Blanton, and J. A, Coffey of this selec- 
tion, advising them to locate a townsite. In March 1S57, J. A. Coffey se- 
lected the site and with the aid of a pocket compass made a temporary sur- 
vey. He found an abandoned log cabin there; it had been built the spring 
before by some claimant who abandoned the country. In the fall of 1856 
Charles Baland. who was sick, abandoned the claim near there, and moved 
into the cabin, where he spent the winter, and in the spring, intending to 
leave the country, he presented the cabin and his claim to the land to Mrs. 
E. H. Young, but finally decided to remain, and located another claim 
where his farm now is. Coffey finding a claim on the land paid $20 for it, 
to secure peaceable possession. He then returned to Lawrence, where he 
and Blanton met a Geruian colony, which was induced to help them form 
the town. 

The German colony was organized in Hartford, Connecticut, during 
the winter of 1856-7, and consisted of E. M. Serenbets, Jacob Schleicher, 
William Lassman, John Frixel, Franz Trontz-Landerwasser, A. Senner, H. 
Zwanziger and N. Kemmerer. All of these with the exception of the last 
named, who did not come until a year later, arrived at Lawrence in .March 
1857. There they were met by Blanton and Coffe\% who induced them to 
locate on their townsite. The Humboldt town company was organized, and 
the town so named in honor of Baron \'on Humboldt. Among the members 
were J. A. Coffey, N. B. Blanton, F. M. Serenbets, J. H. and W. H. 



92 



inSTDUY <)I" AI.I.ICX AND 



Siguor, Dr. Hartniaii mul A. I). Searle. The German portion of the col- 
ony arrivfd May loth 1S57, an.i were soon followed by Coffey, Blanton and 
others. 

The first house built was of loos, bnilt for J. A. Coffey, at a co^t of 
$25. It was located on Bridge street, on the cast side of the river. The 
next house was built southwest of Coffey's in the summer of 1857, and was 
known as "Bachelor's Hall." It was occupied during the summer bv Dr. 
Cx. A. Miller, R. M. Works, J. W. Sperring, J. H. and H. W. Signor, B. 
H. Whillow and W. W. Pollock. During the same summer, a man by 
the name of Clark, built a two-story log hotel. In June J. A. Coffey 
opened a store in a cabin in the timber near the river. Tliis store was 
soon after sold to W. C. O'Brien. 

During the summer of 1857, Orlin Thurston, a yoiing attorney, was 
persuaded to locate at Humboldt, and put up a steam saw-mill He soon 
began sawing lumber, and then building began on the prairie portion of the 
townsite, where the business center now is. 

Before this most of the building was in the timber along the river. In 
the spring of 1858, Charles Fussman opened a tiushop, in a log cabin in 
the timber. 

The first frame building erected was on the corner of Eighth and 
Bridge streets, which was a residence and store of J. A. Coffey. It was af- 
terward part of a cigar manufactory of VV. H. Holtschneider, destroyed du- 
ring the fire of 1883. 

In the spring of 1858, a steam saw and grist mill was opened by W. C. 
O'Brien. The mill was hauled from Jefferson City, Mo., and required the 
use of nine yoke of oxen and one span of horses. It took fifty-four days to 
make the trip both ways. The mill was in operation by May ist, and had 
one run of burrs. It was the first grist mill in the county. 

During 1858 the town grew quite ripidly. Prominent among the set- 
tlers of that year was John R. Goodin, who afterwards distinguished himself 
as a district judge, and as a member of Congress. 

The first physician to locate in Humboldt, was George A. Miller, in 
1857. His office was first in a tent, and his sign "physician and surgeon," 
was nailed to a jack oak tree. 

The postofiice was established in 1858, and A. Irwil appointed post- 
master. A postal route had been established froui Lawrence the same 
year. Before that time the mail was brought from Fort Scott by private 
carriers. Among them were S. J. Stewart and a young man named Dot- 
son. The mail was w-eekly until 1S65, when it was changed to tri-weekly, 
and not long after to daily. 

The first brick was made at Hutnbolt in 1859, on the place later owned 
by Capt. O. S. Coffin, adjoining the town on the south. 

Prior to the year i860, meetings of the town company were held at 
Lawrence, and some of the membeis never moved to Humboldt. On June 
20th, however, the company reorganized and was incorporated under the 
name of the Hutnboldt Town Association, which was composed of N. B. 
Blanton, J. A. Coffey, J. H. Signor, George A. Miller and W. C. O'Brien. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 93 

The townsite was entered on Nov. i6, i860, bv J. G. Rickard, in trust for 
the Town Association. 

In 1S61 the United States land office was removed to Humboldt from 
Fort Scott. N. B. Blaiiton had been elected a member of the first state 
legislature, and all his work had been in the interest of Humboldt. He 
voted for both Lane and Pomeroy for U. S. senators, securing from them 
the promise that the land office should be removed to his town. J. C. Bur- 
nett was regi.ster of the land office, and Charles Adams, son-in-law of Lane, 
was receiver. Senator Lane gave them orders to select a new location. 
Humboldt finally secured it, but the Town Association had to give 200 lots 
in order to obtain it. The removal was effected and the office opened for 
business September 23, 1861, in a building on Bridge street, the old red 
frame structure -Ahich was then used as a court house as well. 

From the foundation of the town to the summer of i860 its growth was 
quite rapid. There was then a population of perhaps 300, and there were 
about fifty buildings. The drouth of that year had such an effect upon the 
country that for the remainder of the year and earlj- in 1861, the town 
progressed very slowly. During all its earlier history, Humboldt was 
more prosperous than most of the Kansas towns, having such a large trade 
with the Indian tribes on the south and west. 

In 1 861 , the war broke out, and most of the able bodied men having en- 
listed in the army, but little building was done. Then in September of 
that year, the town was robbed, and about one mouth later was burned by 
rebel raiders. Only a few buildings were left, and until the close of the 
war, but few new buildings were erected. 

The first building of any consequence that was erected after the raid, 
was the "red store," on the corner of Bridge and Eighth streets, now occupied 
by E. W. Trego with a hardware stock. The lower storey was built by 
Col. W. Doudna, and the upper one by the Masonic fraternitj-. This was 
followed by a few more buildings. 

In 1866, the town began to progress quite rapidly, and a number of 
fine structures were erected. Among them were the school house. Catho- 
lic church, the brick block on Eighth street, and a number of other good 
buildings. During the next three years, the growth of the town was quite 
rapid. 

In 1865, a treaty was effected with the Osage Indians which permitted 
actual settlers to enter 160 acres each, at $1.25 per acre. This land was 
sold in 1868, and the landoffice being at Humboldt, brought an immense 
trade to the town, which made it for some time one of the most thriving 
business places in the state. 

On April 2nd, 1870, the M. K. & T. R. R. was completed to the 
townsite. To secure this road, the citizens voted $75,000 in bonds. The 
citizens also bought, for $13,000 160 acres of land on the west side of the 
river, of which the\- gave to the railroad company ten acres for depot 
grounds and right of way, and the remainder was divided into lots, of 
which the railroad companj' received one-half. 

In October 1870, the L. L. & G. R. R. (now the Southern Kansas divi- 



94 IIISToKV Ol-- ALI.HX AND 

sioiiof the A. T. & S. F. )was fini.shecl to Humboldt, and the event was cele- 
brated the following month. The years 1870 and 1.S71, were marked by the 
rapid growth of the town. Large numbers of buildings were erected, some of 
them taeing constructed of brick and stone. Property greatly increased in 
value until it was almost impossible to buy lots. An iron bridge was built 
across the Neosho river by the Humboldt Bridge Company, which was 
composed of some of the leading men ol the town, and various other im- 
provements were made 

In 1872 the improvements of the town were not so rapid, and the in- 
flated prices of property began to decrease. In 187,^ the great financial 
crash seriousl\ effected the business of Humboldt, and this was followed by 
the general devastation of crops by grass hoppers the following year, which 
resulted very disastrously to the town, some of the merchants failing in bus- 
iness, while many of the citizens moved away. Then followed a dull pe- 
riod, but before it commenced the town had arrived at nearly its present 
proportions. For the last twenty years, while it is true that at no time has 
there been any great jirogress, Humboldt has always held its ground as a 
prosperous business town. 

vSince the burning of Humboldt by the rebels in 1861, noted in tlie his- 
tory of the county, there have been very few fires. The last serious one 
occurred on the night of January 1 1 , 1883. About 8 o'clock a fire was discov- 
ered in the brick building owned by Dayton, Barber & Co. . on Bridge Street. 
The lower floor was occupied by the grocery store of Charles Lehman, and 
the upper story by law offices, and the Independent Press printing office. On 
the same floor H. I). Smith and family and Mrs. Lydia Sniff resided. All 
had gone to church and left the lamp burning in the (printing office, and it 
is supposed it exploded. The building was soon in flames, and to prevent 
the fire from spreading further, the cigar factory on the east side was torn 
down. On the west was Curdy's double store, over which were law, in- 
surance, and real estate offices, as well as dental rooms. This building 
was soon co\ered with men who, by hard work saved the building. The 
greater part of the goods, furniture and fixtures, were carried from all these 
rooms, except Smith's private rooms and printing office, the contents of 
which were all destroyed. The damage to the goods, as well as to Cur- 
ily's building, was great, but most of the property, except Smith's, was in- 
sured for nearly enough to cover the losses. 

The ravages of the fire were soon repaired, and the town did not suffer 
any permanent .setback on account of it. The years that followed have 
been for the most-part, i|uiet and uneventful, marked by but slight changes 
either in the business or the population of the city. The discovery of gas 
has resulted in the establishment of a flourishing industry, the Humboldt 
Brick Company, and the discovery of oil, although as yet not in market- 
able quantities, leads to the hope that further prospecting may yet develop 
a large supply which will be of great commercial advantage to the town. 
For the present Humboldt remains, as it has always been, a good country 
town, enjoying a much better than usual trade on account of the excellent 
country around it, and affurding a delightful place of residence. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 95 

(5as Cit\) 

111 the summer of 1898 Mr. li. K. Ta3-lor, who owned a tract of land 
on the line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, sunk a well and developed a 
large flow of gas. He sold forty acres of the land to the Cherokee-Lanyon 
Spelter Company and twenty acres to the Prime Western Spelter Company. 
These companies at once began the erection of zinc smelters. Mr. Taylor 
then had the remainder of the tract laid out into town lots, naming the 
place Gas City and filing the official plat October :>7, 1898. 

The town has grown rapidly and several hundred people now make it 
their home. It has a post-office, and is connected with Ida by telephone. 
The Mi.ssouri Pacific suburban train service also puts it in close touch with 
lola, and it is on the line of the electric street railway which is projected as 
this chapter is written and will doubtless be in operation when this volume 
appears. 

TLalbarpc 

BY J. O. ROBERTS 

The building of the Fort Scott Wichita and Western (now the Missouri 
Pacific) railway was responsible tor the birth of the town of LaHarpe, the 
plal of which was filed in 188 1. J. C. Reeder was the first station agent, 
and he was succeeded by C. H. Hackney. 

The first businesss house in the village was built by Hackney & Sons, 
who engaged in the business of buying grain. 

For many years the growth of the town was very slow, and until 1898 
it remained a mere hamlet, with a post-office and a few small stores. 

The discovery of gas, however, gave a splendid impetus to the town, 
and since then it has grown rapidly under the stimulus of the great zinc 
smelters of the Lanyon Zinc Company. By the spring of 1899 the in- 
crease in population was such as to warrant incorporation as a city of the 
third class, and the fir.st officers elected were the following: S. S. F'orney, 
mayor; C. H. Hackney, G. G. Fox, J. E. Stansbury, F. M. Davis, L. H. 
Daggett, councilmen; vS. Malcom, treasurer ; E. L. Runyan, clerk; J. Q. 
Roberts, attorney; E. C. Moore, police judge; Lee Chew, Marshal. 

In 1898 a new school building was built, a commodious structure re- 
placing the small district building, and excellent .schools are maintained. 

The first church building was erected by the Methodist Episcopal de- 
nomination in 1885. In 1890 the Presbyterian church was erected, and in 
1 90 1 the Protestant Methodist church building was completed. All three 
societies are reasonably strong. 

LaHarpe is situated near the geographical center of Allen county, is 
apparently right over the strongest gas pressure in the state, is surrounded 
by a rich agricultural country, and her citizens feel that there is a bright 
future in store for their town. Why not? 



HISTORY OF ALLKX AN'IJ 



i£lsmorc 

KV JKSSE. P. ni'CKlCK. 

In the spring of 1887, the present busy little town of Klsniore was not 
in existence. At that time its site was an open prairie, and people who 
wanted more than a s ick of flour or a package of coffee, must necessarily go 
to Humboldt, Tola, or Fort Scott for their need^, or go without. The coun- 
try surrounding at that time was sparsely settled, mo.st of the land being 
owned by non-residents, and lying open and uncultivated, except now and 
then a leaguer had broken out a small patch, built a cheap box house and 
settled down to fight the railroad comp.iny through the courts for the land, 
believing, true or not, that the land hid never b-jen honestly earned by those 
claiming ownership, and that some day it would be opened by the govern- 
ment for settlement. 

At this time Old Elsmore was the center of attraction for people in 
Klsmore township They went there for their mail, to vote, to buy grocer- 
ies from the little country store that was run by different men at different 
times among whom were W. D. Cox and J. G. Kenyon, both of this place 
at the present writing. Along in the tall of 1886, the talk was heard that 
a railroad might be built from Kansas City to Parsons and that it would 
pass through Allen county, and forthwith the repre-entative men of Els- 
more township began to figure on gettin.g it through this township. After 
the usual preliminary survey, resurveys and talk of better routes, the pro- 
moters of the Parsons and Pacific Railway Company decided that if Osage, 
Marmaton and Klsmore townsliips would each vote to take twenty thous- 
and dollars of common stock in the company, at par and pay for ic in 
twenty year 6 per cent bonds, they might be able to build the road this 
way; any way, they would like for the people to vote on the proposition, 
and they did. The result was favorable to the bonds. Among the consider- 
ations, however, the Parsons and Pacific Railway Company was to build a 
depot and maintain a station, telegraph office and slock yards within one- 
half mile of the center of Klsmore townshiji, and when this agreement is 
consideied, it is easy to account for the present location and town of Kls- 
more. 

About Aug. 25, iS,S8, Messrs. W. D. Cox, H. \V. Cox, X. L. Ard, O. 
P. Mattson, J. L. Roberts and J. A. Nicholson, purchased of the owners of 
the S. K. quaiter ot section 7, 26, 21, twenty acres in the southwest corner 
of said land, and proceeded to lay off and plat the town of Klsmore. The 
first business to be established was that of W. D. Cox, who m<3ved his 
countrv store from Old Klsmore to the rii»ht of way near the southwest cor- 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 97 

ner of town and sold goods of every dTScription to citizens ol the comiiui- 
nity, as well as furnishing the contractors who were building the road many 
of their supplies. As soon as the town site was platted, W. D. Cox moved 
his store to the place where he now carries on busine.ss. E. Peters followed 
with a little store on the south side and later built where the M. L- Decker 
residence now stands, and carried a verj- good general stock. The business 
changes of the town have been many , but in almost every instance the change 
has been to the advantage of the town. L. T. Donoho was the first post- 
master, J. L. Roberts the first hotel proprietor. The Fisher Lumber Co. 
were first to open a lumber yard, securing free lots from the town company, 
but losing them through failure to fulfil their part of the agreement. On 
their withdrawal came J. H. Osborn & Co., of Humboldt, who opened and 
maintained a yard that has been one of the strong firms of the town and at 
the present time one of our best firms. Winfield Samuel was our first drug- 
gist. Following him were ,Springer, Butler, Barton, Braden & Rees, and 
then S. H. Braden, who at present owns the fine brick building occupied 
with his large .stock, equal to that of almost au)'- store in the county. In 
the fall of iSgoThos Bettesbuilta block of four large business rooms, which 
were occupied by Lardner, Love Bros., general merchandise, E. Butler, 
drugs, and Martin & Adams, general merchandise. In 1892 J. P. Decker 
& Co. purchased of Martin & Adams their stock of merchandise and con- 
tinued in the Bettes block until 1895, when the Decker block on the south 
side of the street was built and occupied by them. 

By this time the town was making a strong growth and despite the hard 
times of '95, '96 and '97, new buildings were built and new firms con- 
tinued to locate until at the present time we have four general stores as fol- 
lows : Smith & Sons, McCaslin & Kincaid, the Elsmore Cash store, (J. P. 
Decker) and A. M. Tippie. W. D. Cox & Son now handle hardware and 
implements, grain, coil, furniture and undertaking goods. Krokstrom 
& Nelson have a large stock of hardware, implements, wagons, buggies, 
harness, etc. H. S. Richards is our harness maker and carries a good 
stock of goods. Mrs. H. S. Richards and Miss Carrie Rice each have a 
choice line of millinery. J. H. Ward does the barber and laundry work 
of the town; W. S. Samuels provides the soft drinks, candies and cigars 
to the trade and also feeds the hungry short order lunches. Mrs. Sparks 
conducts our hotel and enjoys a splendid trade; G. H. and H. E. Blakely 
recentl}' purchased J. G. Kenyon's livery business and combining it with 
that of the Star livery barn, built a large new barn and do a thriving 
business. Besides W. D. Cox & Son. W. W. Moffitt and W. L. Higin- 
botham each do a grain business and find plenty to keep them busy. C. 
W. Nelson, J. T. Barron and C. W. Mosier are our blacksmiths; C. H. 
Woodard and A. C. Snyder our carpenters; Milton Watson our painter; 
Palmer and Rogers, our masons. 

The fraternal societies of the town are the A. O. U. W., M. W. A., 
K. and L. of S., and the F. A. A., all flourishing insurance societies with 
a membership of about 250 persons. The Elsmore Creamery Company, 
composed of about twenty of our farmers and two or three town men, was 



gS HISTORY OF AI.LKX ANT) 

oigaiiized in 1896. H. F. I.iidlum was its first p;esi(lent and J. P. Decker 
its first secretary. At the present time J. M. Hill is president and J. P. 
Decker still continues as secretaiy. The company has • its main plant 
here and has stations at Hayard, Kansas, and vSlark, Kansas, and dues 
a large amount of business in a year. The State Bank ol Elsmcre was 
organized in 1899 and opened for business in August of that year. A. F. 
McCany, of Humboldt, was its first president and still retains that 
position. S. H. Braden was the first cashier, but resigned his po.sition 
January i, igoo, to better look after his drug business, Frank Goyette 
purchasing the larger part of his stock and becoming cashier, still retaining 
the position. 15. F. Ludlum is vice president and Mrs. Nannie Govette, 
assistant cashier of the institution, which is doing a conservative, safe 
busine.ss, its deposits at the present time exceeding $20,000, its loans about 
$15,000 and its surplus and undivided profits reaching about $600. The 
capital stock of the bank is $6,000. 

In the early days of the town the Elsmore Eagle maile its appearance 
and while a creditable country paper, did not pay its way and was finally 
allowed to die, the lola Register getting its subscription list. Mr. L. E. 
DeHaven was editor and publisher and made the money to keep it goin.g 
during its lite teaching the local school. In 1896 A. F. McCarty came 
from Mapleton and started the Elsmore Enterprise and it soon became 
popular with the people of the community and w.is doing a fair business, 
when in 1897 Mr. McCarty secured control of the Humboldt Herald, 
abandoned the Enterpri.se and moved to Humboldt. In February 1899 
A. F. McCarty and J. P. Decker concluded to revive the Enterprise and 
formed the Enterprise Publishing Company, Mr. McCarty furnishing the 
plant and Mr. Decker managing and conducting the paper. In F'ebruary, 
1900, Mr. Decker became owner and proprietor of the plant and paper and 
is conducting it at the present time, business being very good with him. 

The Elsmore mill, J. T. Ralston proprietoi , is another enterprise that 
is doin.g a successful business, dealing in grain and feed as well as doing 
grinding and a custom business. The trade of the town extends west half 
way to Humboldt, east into Bourbon county and north and south easily 
merts Moravi and Savonburg half way, doing an especially large grain, 
broom corn, produce and life stock business. A list of the leading 
business firms would include J. A. Nicholson who knows more about 
broom corn and hauls more of it than any other Allen county firm and 
Elsmore easily ships more of this commodity than all other t<>wns in the 
county and more than any two other towns in Southeastern Kansas, the 
shipments from here the past season being more than 400 tons. 

In 1S83 Wood Hull school district was organized, the school house 
being built at a location one-half mile south of the present town site and 
H. W. Cox taught the j'outhful mind such branches as are common to 
our country schools, and in 1889 the district voted for removal to I^lsmore 
and favorable to another room, which was built and L. E. DeHaven and 
Miss Etta Alford were the first teachers. (They afterward married ) 
Again, in 1895, the room for our young became too crowded and a third 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. gg 

room and teacher were added, new studies taken up and our school made 
rapid growth. In iSgg the patrons of the district realized that the schools 
might be impro\-ed and Prof. Ramsey, of Redfield, was employed. He at 
once took up the matter of a course of study thai could be carried on 
systematically, and prepared one which was accepted by the board of 
education and which, when completed, fits the graduates of the Elsniore 
schools for entering the State University. 

About the first of January, 1889, the U. B. society with Bro. Avling 
as pastor met and organized and elected a board of trustees and circulated 
a subscription paper for a church, but failed to get enough sub-icribed and 
the matter was dropped. The same spring they organized a Sunday 
school. Rev. Ayling was followed by Revs. Finch and Cleaver, when in 
i8gi another effort was made to build a church and failed till in the 
summer of 1S95 the corner stone was laid,, and under the Rev. Kirk- 
patrick the following Ma>' the U. B. church of this place was dedicated. 
The following year they built a parsonage under Rev. Christlieb who was 
followed by Rev. Stone. The first Methodist minister who preached at 
this place was R. S. Barber whom the Moran charge under W. Emnierson 
sent here as a supply in the spring of 1890. In the fall of the same year 
Bio. Barber resigned to go to school at Baker University at Baldwin, 
Kansas. By special request Rev. C. H.. Ganntz, of the Erie circuit, came 
in November of the same year and preached the remainder of the con- 
ference year, holding services on Saturday evenings. On the 9th of 
January, 1901, the Methodist church was organized with thirteen charter 
members, namely: C. D. Willoughby and wife, W. B. Tramell and wife, 
Timothy Hurlbert and wife, H. W. Cox and wife and daughter, Lizzie, 
G. W. Smith and wife and Marrv Bettes. The following members were 
elected as trustees: C. D Willoughby, W. B. Tramell, H. W. Cox, W. 
U. Cox and Timothy Hurlbert. It was decided at once to erect a church 
and, accordingly, Rev. Gramly and H. W. Cox were directed to solicit 
subscriptions which met with hearty response and in the following 
February the corner stone was laid, Rev. Brant, of Parsons, officiating. 
About the same time L. W. Keplinger, of Kansas City, Kansas, donated 
four acres of ground one half mile east of town to the M. E. board of 
trustees for a cemetery. Early in the same spring the cemetery was platted 
and ready for use and on July 10, 1891, Thomas Davis was carried there 
the first to his last resting place. September 27, 1891, the M. E. church, 
size 28x48, costing $1,300, was dedicated. President Ouayle of Baker, offi- 
ciating. The following Sabbath an M. E. Sunday School was organ- 
ized and has been an evergreen Sunday School. The following year 
under Rev. B. F. Cargy a parsonage, 24x24, was built at a cost of $200. 
By some delay and the sale of the parsonage, owing to a change 
in the circuit and the pastor residing at a more central point, the church 
was released from all debt in the spring of igoo and papered and repainted. 
The church has had the services of the following pastors: C. H. Gramlv, 
B F. Cargy, Wm. Leaser, J. K. White, J. S. Budd, J. H. Carter. The 
present pastor is H. I. Dolson. 



msi'imv (II' AI.I.ICN AND 



JBioovaphice 



LI'iON'ARI) I{. I'lvARSo.N. -11 IS :i vvfll allcsled niiixiin lliat tlu- 
^icMtiR'ss ol a stale lies not in its macliiiR'i v ol government, nor even 
in its institulions, but in the sterling (|iialities of its iiulividiial citizens, in 
their ca])aeity for lii^;h and niisellish elfcit and their devotion to the [inhlic 
j;ood. The ^;oal toward which he has hastened diirinj; liis many years of 
loll and endeavor is that which is attained only l)y such as have by jiatriot- 
ism ami wise counsel j^iveii the world an impetus toward the j;ood; siicli have 
gained the right and title to have tluir names endiirinnly iiiseribeil on the 
bri^;ht pajjes of histor\ . 

Leonard H. I'earson, who is interested in a>;rienltural ])ursuits in Allen 
County, liis home beiii^; in Salem ti)wnship, was born July 2, 1.S32, in 
Jefferson conntx-, New York, and traces his ancestry back to one of tlie old 
Ouaker families of Couueclicul. In ii);,; Joliii I'earson was ilriven from 
Ivn>;land on account of his ieli;;ions belief. He lauded at lyynn, Mas- 
sacliusetts, and shortly afterward went to Rowley, Massachusetts, where 
lie estal)lislied the first tiillinn mills in America. vScveral families of the 
I'e.irsons also came from luiKland to escape the yiiaker persecution at 
about tile same lime and settled in the I'enn colonv. The early I'eaisous 
inter married with the families of Cowdrys, I'osters, Dexters, Morrow's 
and Kendalls. Ivdward. the >;randfaher of our subject, was a farmer. 
Two of his maleriiat uncles, Harmon, were soldiers in the Revolutionary 
war. One was killed in the battle of Cow]kiis. Mdward I'earson had 
four sons and four daujjhters: Austin was l)orn ia iSii and ilied a few 
years ago in New York, leaving a family; lyeonard, who m.ide liis home 
in Jelfersou county, New York, also passed away a few years ago, survived 
by his f.imily: Ira, the father ol our snbjecl; Ivdward, the youngest brother, 
died in TifVin, Ohio, leaving two children. Of the sisters, Hattie was born 
ill 170.1, Sally was born in 1794, Almira was born in 1747 aiul Anna was 
born in i.Sod. All have now passeil away, 

Ira I'earson, the father of our subject, was a native of Otsego county , 
New York. 1 1 is birth occurred October 11, 171)9. At the age of twenty- 
four he was united in marriage to Kli/a Ann Harmon who became the 
mother of five sons and two daughters. The father was a Democrat in 
earl\- life, but on account of his opposition to slavery he became a staunch 
.\bolilionist. He and Corte/. Overtoil and Chas. Dickev wrote their ballots 



VVOOI>SON COt'N'TIUS, KANSAS. |m| 

rtii'l iii'irclic-'l ill line tf) vote for liiniey for pre-,ifleiit, when to Ije an Aboli- 
tionist wart to incur ridicule. When sixty-four years of aj^e Ira Pearson 
offered his services in the defense of Washinjfton, hut on account of his 
advancerl years he was not received as a member of the army. Charles 
Ivdwin I'L-arson, his eldest son, was born September 2, 1826. Ihirinjj the 
Civil war he joinc. the Union army and was killed in the battle of Gett)s 
f>ur>; while faithfully sC-rvinx his country. Adelia, the second child, was 
born March 8, 1H2H, and died unmarried; Leonard 1},; I^ydia K. was born 
November f.5, 1834, and resides with hei brother I^eonard. Horatio C. 
was born Xovemf>er 28, 18.^7, and fell in the second battle al IJnll Kiiii 
August 30, 1862. Albert anrl Alfred, twins, were born March 22. 184 r, 
The former was wounded and ca]*tured at the second battle of Hull Kun, but 
was aj^ain with his rej^iment at Gettysburg. Soon afterward he returned 
home broken down in health by his experiences in a Confederate prison. 
Alfred died in 1874 at his home in Downer's Grove, Illinois. 

Leonard Hloomfleld I'earson, whose name introduces this review, spent 
his early life assisting his father in his blacksmith shop. In winter he 
attended the district scliool. His early privileges were supplemented by 
studying in the Helleville Academy in Jefferson county, New York, which 
he entered when twenty years of age, working his way through four years' 
of school by his own efforts. In i8^j2 he removed to Illinois and for ten 
years, at intervals, sailed '»n the great lakes. The family was noted for 
loyalt\ and during the progress of the war of the Rebellion Mr. I'earson 
of this review joined the boys in l^lue of Company C, One Hundred arul 
Thirty-second Illinois Infantry under Captain Haker, Colonel T. J. 
Pickett. It was suppwed when he enlisted that his soldier brothers were 
all dead and now he placed himself at the front willing to give his life, if 
need be, as a rans'jm to his country. He was srjon i>romoted to the rank 
of sergeant and was on duty in Kentucky and Missouri, being kept on 
scouting and out|)Ost duty until the time rjf his discharge in 1864. .Sof»n 
after he was discharged he was offered one thousand dollars to re-enlist, 
but he had entered the army from patriotic impulses and would not re-eidist 
for money. Returning to Illinois he was for some time a resident of 
l)\i I-'age county and on the i8tl) <>i November, 1870, he started from there 
to Kansas. He reached Allen county November 22 and located on the 
O. J. Johnson farm in Humboldt township. There he remained one year 
when he traded his team and wagon for an eighty-acre farm in Section 
thirty Salem township. When he took up his abode there the tfAal of his 
improvements was a ten by twelve box liouse. He now owns three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of valuable land, a greater part of which is under 
a high state of cultivation, yielding to him an excellent income. Many 
modern improvements and accc-ssories have been added to the i)Iace whi< li 
indicates his careful supervision. 

In 1867 Mr. Pearson was united in marriage to Jane C. Dixon, u 
daughter of Robert and .Mary (Wilson) Dixon. .She was b'^rn in Fer- 
manaugh 'ounty, Ireland, in 1839. Her father died of cholera at iVnvner's 

firove, Illinois, in IX'',? 'I"li<- (hil'ln-!! of Mr :ni<\ \Ir- !'■•:<: -,.,11 nrc- 



I02 HISTOKV oi' ArjJCM A.VIJ 

Alice K., wife of Frank Pettit, by whom she has two children, Charles; 
P. and Ralph, their home being in S.ilem township; Mary K., wife of 
Willis Pettit, brother of Frank, and a resident of Elm township; Grace E. 
and J. Stella who are still with their patents. Two children, Georj^e 
I. and Rarrie M., died in infancy. 

Mr. Pearson cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 
1864 and has snpjiorted each presidential nominee of the Republican party 
since that lime. He is recognized as one of its leaders in Allen county, 
and has taken a deep interest in political affairs since long before he 
attained his majority. In i S90 his party honored him with a .seat in the 
House of Representatives. The Republicans were greatly in the minority 
and could carry tn rough no measure alone. He was placed on the railroad 
committee and introduced the alien land bill which passed both houses of 
the assembly and became a law. In 1892 he was re-elected and became 
a member of the "Douglas" house which House the "Populist House" 
locked and barred from the Capitol as their solution of the dual house 
question. Mr. Pearson carried the sledge with which the "Douglas 
House" battered down the House door and look forcible possession of the 
chaml)er, February 15, 1893. He was again placed on the railroad com- 
mittee and was chairman of the fee and salary committee, and al.so the 
committee of cities ot the first and second class. During this session of 
the legislature he introduced an amendment to the constitution that all 
taxes paid by the railroads for school and county purposes should be paid 
in monej' instead of work, and providing where municipalities, towns or 
counties had voted bonds in aid of railroads the taxes paid for school and road 
purposes should be divided among the districts, cities or counties, the money 
to be paid per capita in such manner as the legislature might direct. Mr. 
Pearson is still an earnest, honest conscientious worker for the good of his 
party and the upbuilding of the commonwealth. He has ever placed 
the party's welfare before self-aggrandizement and he is widely known as 
a patriotic citizen whose devotion to the general good is unquestioned. 
Over his public career and his private record there falls no shadow of 
wrong or suspicion of evil and he is justly entitled to the high regard of 
his many friends. 



KEVSICR. — This Allen county family is of recent date as to settlement 
in Kansas, having entered the .state for the purpose of a residence in 
March 1881. In May following Benjamin Keyser, the head of the family, 
brought his household to Allen county and established his home in 
lola. Benjamin Keyser had been reared a farmei in the east and to this 
pursuit did he devote himself the few years he lived in Kansas. He 
became the owner of a tract of land on Deer Creek, at Wise po.st office, and 
the last acts of his life were devoted to its culture. Once strong and of 
j)owerful physique Mr. Keyser was in the state of decline when he left 



WOOIJSON COfXTIKS, KANSAS, IO3 

his native Maryland for the west. Kansas was too new for him at that 
date and his hopes and expectations were not as rapidly realized as he felt 
they would be and this condition induced a further and gradual decline in 
health. January 9, 1889, he was stricken with apoplexy while reading his 
paper and passed away without regaining consciousness. 

Benjamin Kej^ser was born in Frederick county, Maryland, October 
24, 182 1. He was one of thirteen children and a son of Philip and 
Elizabeth (Cannon) Keyser. The latter's children and grandchildren are 
as follows: Sophia, who marrieil Samuel Heffner and died in Frederick 
county, Maryland, leaving Lewis, John and Sophia A. (Link); Margaret, 
who died single; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Crist and died in 
Frederick county, with issue as follows: Margaret, wife of Thos. Chilcote; 
Philip; Jo.seph: Charles; Henry; Celia, wife of Hens. T. C. Green, of 
Washington, D. C. ; Luther and Melsino, who married Clayton S. Smith: 
John Key.ser, who died in Frederick county, and left the following 
children: Ephraim; William; Mary; Charles; Eugene; John; Dallas; 
Lewis and Nettie; Lewis Keyser, who died near Harpers Ferrj-, Va., and 
left Fannie; James; Elizabeth; Naomi; Joseph; Charles; Martha; Ernia; 
John; George and Alice; Samuel Keyser, who died in Frederick county 
was the father of Walter; John; Margaret; Mary; Annie; George; Katie; 
Richard; Virgie and Cliffie; Jacob Key.ser, who died in Lincoln, Neb., 
leaving Philip, Mary, Annie, Jennie, Fannie and Lewis; Ann Catherine 
who married Daniel . Wachtei and died in Frederick county, with issue as 
follows: Margaret, Sophia, Elijah and Mary; Joseph Kej-ser, who died 
in southern Pennsylvania and had two sons, names not known; Benjamin 
Keyser; Cornelius, who died in Baltimore, Maryland, with no children; 
Sarah, who married Henry Wachter and died in Frederick with the 
following children: Nathan, Howard, Sidney, Isaac, David, Emma, 
Charles, Newton, Annie and Mary; Savilla Keyser, who married Jacob 
Siiook and died at Boonsboro, Maryland, left children as follows: A. 
Clayton, Scott, Marshall, Wallace and Harlin. 

Philip Keyser, the father of our subject, was born in Washington 
county, Maryland, in 17S3, was married there and removed to Frederick 
county where all his children were born. He was a blacksmith, but was 
engaged chiefly in farming and was a prominent citizen of his comuuinity. 
His success in business was of local note and his sons represented various 
lines of industry in their choice of livelihoods. He was a Democrat. 

Benjamin Keyser pa.ssed his first fifty-nine years in Frederick county, 
Maryland. He was married there March 24, 1846, to Fredrica Elizabeth 
Zeigler, a daughter of Michael and Johanna (Schaffner) Zeigler. Michael 
Zeigler was born in Germany in 1783 and his wife was born in the same coun- 
try in 1795. They were married in 1818 and the next year they came to the 
United States. They were accompanied by a sister of Mr. Zeigler and a 
brother of Mrs Zeigler (wife and husband) who settled near Philadelphia, 
Pa. Michael Zeigler settled in Frederick county, Maryland, and i)a,ssed 
the remainder of his life upon a farm. He died in March 1S52 and his 
widow died in November 1S63. Their children were: Hanna, who is a 



I04 HISTOKV OF AI.LKN AND 

maid and resides in Frederick county; Henry, who died in P'rederick City, 
Maryland, with issue as follows: Edward, Mary, Charles, Eugene, Clara, 
Kate, Annie, William, George, Clarence and Fannie: Fredrica, widow of 
Benjamin Keyser, born November i6, 1824; Susan, who married Isaac 
Wachter and died in Delaware, Ohio, left the following children: Annie, 
Alice, Frank, Lue an i Daisy; Christian Z;:figler who was killed in a 
railroad accident in the mountains of Pennsylvania in 1856, and died 
without heirs; Rebecca, who married John Hobbs and died at Nauvoo, 
Illinois, with a deceased daughter, Alice, as issue; Mary C, who married 
Ezra Staley and died near Frederick City, Maryland, with issue as tollows: 
Minnie, Annie and Charles; and Louisa M., who died in Frederick City 
unmarried. 

The childred of Benjamin and Fredrica Keyser are Chas. H., born 
March 25, 1847, resides in Pitkin county, Colorado; Milton \V., born 
April 29, 1849, married Mary C. Mitchell and is one of the large farmers 
of Edwards county, Kansas; Alice J., born January 2, 1852, resides in 
lola; Franklin A. , born June 29, 1854, resides in Mineral county, Colo- 
rado, and Anna M., wife of L. \V. Duncan, born March 9, 1S62. 



REASOX M. CUNNINGHAM is a representative of many important 
business interests of Allen county. Since 1885 he has been a resi- 
dent of Humboldt, where he has been the promoter of many enterprises 
which contribute not alone to his individual prosperity but also advance 
the general welfare by promoting commercial activity. A native of 
Indiana, he was born in Daviess county on the 22nd of March, 1856, his 
parents Ijeing Reason and Susan E. (Prewitt) Cunningham, the former 
born in Indiana in 181S, the latter in Kentucky in 1S21. The father was 
a farmer by oocupation. In 1870 he removed to Kansas, arriving in 
Humboldt on the 19th of April, after which he purchased a farm near 
Leanna in the southern part of the county. Both he and his wife are still 
living, their home being in Humboldt. The father has attained the age 
of eighty-two, while the mother is seventy-nine years of age. They were 
parents of eight .sons and three daughters, and two sons and one daughter 
have passed away. IClbethel B. was a soldier in the Civil war. He served 
for 'three years with Company I, Sixtieth Indiana Infantry, and then 
veteranized, remaining at the front until the cessation of hostilities. He 
participated in many battles but escaped the enemies' bullet, although he 
came nearly losing his life from the explosion of his ammunition box. 
The other children of the family are Mrs. Sarah E. Dickerson, who 
resides on a farm near Leanna; Robert H., an agriculturist; I. N., of 
Moline, Kansas; G. D. and W. S., who are residents of Mnmboldt, and 
Ollie, who is with her parents. 

In taking up the personal history of Reason M. Cunningham, Jr. , we 
present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably 



WOODSON CtlUNTIES, KANSAS. I05 

known. He was fourteen years of age at the time of hib parents removal 
to Kansas. After completing a common school education he continued his 
studies i!i the Fort Scott Normal and in the State Normal of Emporia. 
Kansas, providing the me.ms for his tuition and other expenses by teaching 
at intervals and by farm work in the summer. For fifteen years he 
followed the profession of teaching, and was regarded as an excellent 
educator, having the ability to impart clearly and impressively to others 
the knowledge he had acquired. In 1885 he came to Humboldt, where he 
engaged in teaching through the winter, while in the summer months he 
followed the insurance business. Ultimately he dropped his educational 
work and has since given his attention to the insurance and real estate 
business, in which he has met with very desirable success. He has con- 
ducted many important realty transactions and is the owner of considerable 
valuable property, having a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near 
Humboldt, together with his residence, and other business property in the 
city. He also owns the grounds and ice plant building on the banks of 
the Neosho river and is a stock holder and the secretary and treasurer of 
the Humboldt Telephone CimpAuv. These various interests bring to him 
an excellent income, which classes him among the well-to-do citizens of 
the county. 

Mr. Cunningham was married on the 27th of May, 1883, to Miss 
Nancy H. Booe, of Neosho county, a daughter of William Booe, who was 
a native of Indiana, whence he came with his family to Kansas in 1879. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born five children, four of whom 
are yet living: Gertrude L., Vera M., Clay D. and Helen E. The third 
child. Glen, died at the age of eleven months. At the time of his 
marriage, Mr. Cunningham removed to Erie and purchased lumber of 
A. L. Taylor to build his house. That was before the day of railroads 
in this localit}', and he had to haul his lumber by teams from Osage 
Mission. 

In his political views Mr. Cunningham has ever been a stalwart 
Republican, and takes an active interest in promoting the party's welfare. 
He has served as a member of the county central committee, and for three 
terms filled the office of township clerk, while at the present time he is 
notary public. As a citizen he is progressive, lending his aid to any 
movement calculated to prove of benefit along material, social, intellectual 
and moral lines. He has made marked advancement in his business career 
through the possession of those unyielding elements which ever conquer 
success. 



JOHN H. GARDNER, of Humboldt, whose connection with the 
" interests of that city date back to 1S70 when, he came to it from Wash- 
ington, D. C, was born in Ann Arundel count\-, Maryland, July 4, 1840. 
His parents, John and Anna Hall (Watson) Gardner, were natives of the 



I06 HISTORY or ALLKX AN'H 

same state, his father beiii^^ bom in Ann Ariindel county. His gniiid- 
parents were also native MarylaiKl people. John and Anna H Gardner 
were the parents of seven children, viz: Win. L., who died in Maryland 
in 1897; Ivlizabelh C, wife of James Crogen, of Washington, I). C: 
Charles T. , of Allen county, Kansas; Anna H., wife of Thos. J. Webster, 
died in Lis x\ugeles, Calilorni.i; J. H.; Richard and Abner, of Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. John G irdner's first wife died in 1849 and by a 
second wife he reared seven children all of whom reside in Maryland. 

J. H. Gardner lelt the old Maryland home during the war and went 
to Washington, D. C, where he was in the employ of the Adams E.xpress 
Company during a period of the Civil war. .Succeeding this he engaged 
in the fruit and provision business in that city and was so connected in a 
business way till 1870 when he decided to come west. On the 6th of Max- 
of the last named year he came to Humboldt, Kansas. It was his intention 
to return to the Capital City but, seeing a good opening for carpenters — 
and having learned that trade in his youth and early manhood — he 
decided to remain and found work at once. He formed a partnership with 
his brother-in-law, Webster, to engage in contracting and the firm had in 
their employ the first two years a half score of men. In 1872 he engaged 
in the meat business and for twentv-five years was the leading butcher 
and meat man in the city. He not only killed and cut up meat on the 
block but killed and cured and did a considerable business as a packer, as 
well. He was amply rewarded for every effort put forth in the line of his 
business hut as .soon as he stepped aside to aid his friends, by endorse- 
ments or by a lift on some enterprise with a doubtful future, he got into 
the mire. The harder he tried to extricate himself from these burdens the 
deeper their own weight carried him into the bog. In time he was forced 
to yield up his business and much of his accumulations to satisfy his 
creditors. 

Harry Gardner has not alone been prominent as a business man. He 
brought strong Republican proclivities with him from Maryland and as 
Allen was a strong Republican county he found use for his politics and 
real sympathy for his faith. He has been a formidable candidate lor a 
county office on more than one occasion before Republican conventions 
and was nominated for county treasurer in 18S7 but was defeated by a 
combination of circumstances for which his reputation was in no wi.se to 
i)lame. 

Mr. Gardner was married in Humboldt in 187S to Alice J. Smith, a 
daughter of Thos. D. and Julia A. (Maxwell) Smith who came into Allen 
county with her family from Illinois in 1S69. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner's 
children are: Charles R. , J. Thomas, Hazel, Mildred and Morris. 



WOODSON COl'XTIES, KANSAS. IO7 

GEORGE W. MOON is one of the the most substantial farmers of 
Allen county and represents a line of business that contributes in a 
greater degree to the substantial growth and prosperity of the country than 
anv other calling to which man devotes his energies. He was born in 
Hamilton county, near Cincinnati, Ohio, on tlie 22nd of Dec.--mber, 1838. 
His father, Milton Moon was a native of New York, and by occupation 
was a farmer. His mother, Julia Mullen Moon, was a native of New 
Jersey, and a representative of a Quaker family. When twelve years of 
age Milton Moon accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he was reared 
and continued to make his home until his death which occurred in 1886, 
at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife died in 1866 at the age of sixty- 
five years. 

George Moon remained at home until about twenty years of age, when 
he began learning the milling business, serving as an apprentice under 
a Mr. Miller, of Union county, Indiana. He was emplojred in that 
capacity until the outbreak of the Civil war. He vi'as then yotmg, of 
courageous spirit and unfaltering loyalty, and in defense of the old flag he 
enlisted as a member of Company B, Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry. He was 
made first sergeant. He little imagined the hardships and privations that 
were in store for him, but wherever he was found he was alwa\-s loyal to 
duty and to the Union cause. The regiment with which he was connected 
was sent directly to the front and was engaged in several skirmishes. He 
participated in only two pitched battles, — the engagements of Stone River 
and Chickamauga. At the latter he was captured and he experienced all 
the horrors of the southern prisons. It was on the 19th of September, 1863, 
at the burning of Reel's bridge that he was captured and taken to Bell 
Isle, just opposite Richmond, Virginia. After remaining at that place for 
about two months he was transferred to Richmond, being incarcerated in 
Ivibby prison, a large tobacco house which the rebels had transformed into 
a place in which they might confine those who through the fortunes of war 
had fallen into their hands. The prison was very crowded and dirty and 
the soldiers only had about half rations, and though he considered the 
hardships very great, the conditions in Richmond were far better than 
those at Danville, Virginia, whither he was sent after three months spent 
in Libby prison. At Danville he remained for two months and was then 
transferred to Andersonville, where he remained for seven months. The 
conditions at that place were too horrible for description, for many of the 
prisoners were crowded into an open space with a high stockade all around 
with nothing to shelter them from the hot summer sun of the south. This 
prison was so crowded that they had hardly room to lie down. They had 
scarcely anything to eat and the sanitary conditions were the worst 
possible. The poor food and impure air brought death to many of the bo3's 
in blue. Sickness visited them and the sufferings were horrible. Mr. Moon 
entered that prison a strong man, but was almost a skeleton when he came 
out. He could hardly stand alone, but the bayonets and bullets of the 
guard forced him to move when the comtnand was given. The sufferings 



Io8 HIS'l'dKY i>K AI.LEN AND 

aiul horrors of that prison are beyoiul description and only those who 
experienced incarceration there can fully understand the situation. When 
the men were taken prisoners they were robbed by the guards of all the\ 
possessed, including tents, blankets and much of their clothing. .\ 
promise was given that these would be returned, but they never were. 

Mr. Moon was taken from Andersonville to Savannah where he 
remained for a few days and was then sent to Charleston, South Carolina, 
wliere, after a month spent upon the race track, he was transferred to 
Florence. He experienced there a repetition of the horrors of Anderson- 
ville. After remaining at that point for three months .\lr. Moon was taken 
to Wilmington. North Carolina. The Ihiion forces were so near, however, 
that the prisoners were rushed on to Goldsboro where relief came to them. 
After suffering everything tliat human nature could endure, the subject of 
this review was at length paroled, sent to Wilmington and passed through 
the Union lines. He was then taken to Columbus, Ohio, and given a 
thirty days' furlough that he might return home, as he was greatly in need 
of rest and of those necessities of life which contribute to health and 
strength. On the expiration of his furlough he reported at Columbus and 
was there vvlien the news of General Lee's surrender was received in May. 
1865, and returned to his home with a record paralleled by comparativeU- 
few of the thousands of brave men who defended the nation in her hour 
of peril. 

Returning to his home Mr. Moon resumed work in the employ of the 
man with wliom he had learned his trade several years before. For three 
years he remained in this man's service as a most trusted and competent 
workman, and then started for the west, arriving in Humboldt on the ist 
of April, 1868. He purchased a farm two and one half miles west of the 
city and has since resided here, giving his time and attention to the devel- 
opment of his farm in Allen county, and has acqun^ed a comfortable 
competence for the evening of his life. He keeps the soil in good condi- 
tion by the rotation of crops and he is most progressive in all of his 
methods, while the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his 
careful supervision. 

Mr. Moon was united in marriage in March, 1S67, to Miss Rachel 
Danzenbaker, a native of Indiana. Unto them have been born five chil- 
dren, but their eldest, Emma, died at the age of eighteen months. The 
others are: William, who is now married and living on a farm; Charles 
I. , who studied telegraphy, but is now farming; Frank, who is pursuing 
a course of study in the Wichita College, and also devotes a part of his 
time to teaching, and George, who is with his parents. Mr. Moon has 
always been a stalwart Republican and has been elected as county com- 
missioner, in which capacity he served for three years. He was township 
treasurer for two terms, and has also been township clerk. He received 
the nomination of his party for representative, but in that year the Fusion 
ticket won, he being defeated by a very small majority. He is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic and in this way maintains associations 
with his old armv comrades. His has been a well spent life of activitv. 




^^^^.^^^^y^^^-^^^^. 




WOOnSON CnT'XTrF.S, KANSAS. lot; 

energy and honesty in all of its relations. As a citizen he i*^ as trne to his 
country as when he followed the .stars and stripes on the southern battle- 
fields. His business methods have ever commended him to the jniblic 
confidence and support, and he is now regarded as one of the valued 
representatives of the agricultural interests of Allen county. 



FRED. J. HORTOX, .Allen county's famous gas driller, has been the 
direct cause of more supreme happiness on the part of Lola's "original 
set" than any other person, living or dead. A few references, only, will 
establish this claim beyond the pale of successful contradicdon. He is all 
but the discoverer of gas at Ida. It was he who opened the first great 
well at the "Northrup ford" and, for a few years, it was his drill, only, 
whose regular "thump" announced to the populace of Elm Creek valley 
the continued development of their gas field. At an hundred different 
points, in Allen and adjoining counties, has he penetrated the "sand" and 
more than sixty times has he brought to the surface that precious article, 
the greatest of Allen county's resources. In the discovery of the Ohlfest 
w-ell the citizens of LaHarpe were wont to believe their locality the center 
of the gas deposit in the valley and when the Remsberg "invincible," 
south of the city of Gas, burst forth both LaHarpe and lola felt a jealous 
pang and vied with each other in their claims to its jurisdiction. 

Fred Horton is a new-comer among the citizens of Allen county. He 
came to our state in the interest of the Palmer Oil and Gas Company and, 
for a time, was regarded among our temporary sojourners, only. His 
continued success in the determination of the extent of Allen county's gas 
territory led to his decision to take up his residence in lola, where he is 
regarded among the permanent and substantial citizens. 

Our subject was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, October 31, 
1864. His father, Hector Horton, was a successful farmer. He was born 
in the town of Hector, New York, in 1819 and died in Tioga, county. 
Pa., in Juh-, 1807. In early life he moved down into Tioga county, 
Pennsylvania, and was there married. He was one of the prominent men 
of his communit}', lived an honorable life and left an estate at his death. 
He was married to Permelia Emmick, a daughter of William Emmick, 
whose early home was near the site of Morris, Pennsylvania. Seven 
children were born to this union, viz: Charles A., of Butler county, 
Pennsylvania; Frank, of Freeport, Ohio; Anna M., wife of A. C. English, 
of lola, Kansas; George E. , of Freeport, Ohio; Fred J., our subject; Mary 
J., deceased, and Bert L. Horton, who maintains the old home in 
Pennsylvania. 

The Hortons offer no apology for their Americanism. They were of 
the first families who left England for the Colonies and their de.scendants 
have filled our states and territories with some of the best blood of the 



no HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

ages. Thos. Horton, grandfather uf Fred J. Hortoii, sjieiit his life around 
Seneca Lake, in Xew York. He was first a boatman on that lake and 
afterward a distiller, with his factory at the head of the lake. He married 
Miss Anna Cully and died in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, leaving sons 
and daughters, viz: Kli/.abeth, of Jackson county, Mich., is the wife of 
John Kimball: Hiram, who died in Tioga county. Pa. ; Susanna, of the 
same county, is Mrs. Jerre Houghton; Thomas, of same county; Hector; 
Sallie A., who married P. G. Walker and resides in Tioga countv, Pa.; 
Semantha, wife of E. H. Hastings, of Wellsboro, Pa., and K/ra Horton. 
who died in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. 

Fred J. Horton was reared chiefly on the farm. Belore he reached 
his majority he had some experience in the lumber woods of his native 
state. The schools of the country district and those of the little clean 
county seat of Wellsboro gave him his educational equipment. He went 
into the Ohio oil field about 1885 and remained there eight years, as 
employe two years and as prospector and driller and in the business of 
development six years. At times he was associated with a brother or 
brothers and his efforts were productive of varying degrees of success. His 
operations were in Wood county and around I^ima, Ohio, and it was in 
that country that he came into contact with the Palmer Oil and Gas 
Company. The latter firm arranged with him to come into Kansas and 
develop their field and he reached Allen county in the fall of 1894. On 
October ist of that year he began erecting the first rig at the "Northrup 
ford" and at the end of a fortnight he had uncovered a flow of gas that 
fairly startled our people. 

Mr. Horton is not only a developer of our gas re.sources but an aid in 
the promotion of other enterprises as well. He owns an interest in the 
Brooklyn Park addition to lola and put in, and is the owner of, the gas 
plant, or system, in both Highland Place and Brooklyn Park. He is one 
of the directors of the Kansas Brick Company, with plant at Chanute, 
Kansas. In 1898 he erected a commodious residence in lola and the 
same year made substantial improvements upon his farm in Elm township, 
Allen county. 

March 16, 1889, Mr. Horton was married in Monroe, Michigan, to 
Minnie F^, daughter of James Carroll, of Waterville, Ohio. Their chil- 
dren are FIthel F". and Ruth Horton. 

The Hortons are Republicans in politics. Hector Horton, father of 
our subject, became a Republican early in the history of that party and his 
sous found it to their financial well-being to support the principles of the 
same party. The Knights of Pythias, the F:iks and the Masons have each 
a claim upon the social tendencies of our subject. 



WOODSON COUNTIHS, KANSAS. Ill 

ELMER C. REMSBERG. — Among the enterprising niercliaiits and 
progressive and reliable citizens of lola is Elmer C. Remsberg, who 
is now condncting an implement store. He was born near Middktown, 
Maryland, June 7, 186 ?. and his father, J. P. Remsberg, a native of the 
same locality, was born April 10, 1836. John Remsberg, the grandfather 
of our subject, was born in Maryland in 1796, the family homestead being 
situated about five miles from the battle-field of South Mountain, where 
occurred one of the sanguinary engagements of the Civil war. J. P. 
Remsberg was reared upon that place and there followed agricultural 
pursuits until 1876, when he came with his family to Kansas, locating in 
Elm township Allen county, where he made his home until the spring of 
1900. He then removed to lola, w^here he now resides. On the 14th of 
Kebruarj-, 1861, he was united in marriage to Mi.ss Louisa A. C. Coblentz, 
who was born in Maryland June 7, 1838. She was a daughter of David 
Coblentz, also of Maryland, who was a first cousin of George A. Bowlus of 
the Bank of Allen County, at lola. Mrs. Remsberg died in Allen county 
July 19, 1890, leaving five children. Elmer C, Mary C, John D., Aaron 
T. and Simon, all of whom are living in this county. 

Elmer C. Remsberg spent the first fourteen years of his life in Mary- 
land and was then brought by his parents to Kansas, where he was 
reared. After completing his education he began teaching in the LaHarpe 
district in 1S82, and followed that profession continuously until 1892, when 
he secured a position with C. H. DeClute, for whom he acted as clerk, 
remaining in that establishment until April, 1899. In February of the 
following year he purchased of A. W. Beck the implement store and stock 
and has since carried on business along that line, meeting with good 
success. His business methods are commendable and therefore increase 
his patronage, and he is now enjoying a large and constantly growing 
trade. 

On the i6th of May, 1894, Mr. Remsberg wedded Miss Efiie Lemasters 
who was born July 10, 1871. in Johnson county, Indiana, and is a daughter 
of L H. Lemasters, a native of Indiana. To them have been born two 
children: Mary L- and Everett L. Mr. Remsberg is a member of the 
Reformed Church. In politics he is a Republican, takes a very active 
interest in the growth and success of his party, and has several times 
served as a member of the central committee. For one term he was a 
member of the city council, and is now clerk of the board of education, 
which position he has held for three years. He has been called to office 
l)y those who recognize his 'ability and in the discharge of his duties he has 
shown that the trust reposed in him is well merited. 



"C^LIAS BRUNER.— Actively identified with the industrial interests of 
-'— -' lola, Mr. Bruner has been until recently engaged in the flouring 
business in connection with W. E. and G. S. Davis, and in the 



112 insTOKV OK .\i,i.i:n and 

iiiaini(acture and sale of lumber. He was born in Lancaster county. 
Pennsylvania, June 15, 1.S46, and is a son of Jacob Bruner, who 
was born in the same county, about the year 1814. The father was a 
wagon maker, following that trade in Reynoldsville. Pennsylvania. He 
married Louisa White, of Lancaster county, and died in 1849, leaving 
several children. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Church 
and took an active part in the work. About 1851 or 1852 his widow 
married Jacob Bender. By her first marriage her children were Mary, 
who resides in Annville, Pennsylvania; Elias; Elizabeth, wife of Henry 
Di.ssler, of Hphrata, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. There were also 
three children by the second marriage: Jacob, who was probably killed in 
the great strike in Chicago in 1886; Anna, who died in Annville, Penn- 
sylvania, at the age of twenty; and John, a blacksmith of Annville, 
Pennsylvania. The mother of this family died March i, 1897, at the ripe 
old age of seventy-three years. 

Elias Bruner began learning the machinist's trade at the age of 
thirteen years, serving an apprenticeship to his uncle, Peter Bruner, of 
Brunersville, Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen he went to Canton, 
Ohio, where he remained for one year in the employ of the Malleable Iron 
Works. After visiting Louisville and Indianapolis, he retnriud home and 
was again employed by his uncle, l)Ut after a short time there passed, he 
removed to Kokomo, Indiana, and soon afterward came to Kansas, arriving 
in this state in December, 1S65, having traveled the entire distance in a 
wagon. He settled near Erie, Neosho county, where he engaged in farm- 
ing and in working in a saw mill. When a year had passed he came to 
Alleu county and entered the employ of D. R. Hovey, who at that time 
operated a sawmill and planing mill near lola. After Mr. Hovey sold out 
to G. S. Davis & Company, Mr. Bruner continued as engineer in the 
mill. In 1S71 he purchased an interest in the plant, thus entering into 
partnership with VV. E. and G. S. Davis, continuing at the old place until 
iSSo, when they removed theit machinery to the more convenient site and 
building which they occupied until 1900 when they sold it, with all the 
water privileges attached, to the city of lola, and retired temporarily from 
actwi-e business. 

On the i;,th of January. 1872, Mr. Bruner wedded Miss Drucie Davis, 
daughter of K. S. and Drucie (AUcock) Davis, the former born in 
Augusta, Maine, in 1806, the latter in Marietta, Ohio, in 181 1. Mrs. 
Bruner is also a native of Marietta, born May 19, 1848. They now have four 
children: Lettie, who was born October 8, 1874, and is the wife of L. L. 
Northrup, of lola: Clara, born September 13, 1879: Freddie, who was born 
November 2X, 1S82, and died at the age of one month, and George, born 
September 20, 1890. The family is one well known in lola and the 
members of the hou.sehold enjoy the high regard of many friends. Mr. 
Bruner has been a life-long Republican, and as every true American citizen 
should be, is well informed upon the issues of the day and does all in his 
jjower to promote the growth and insure the success of the party which he 
advocates. 



WOOIX-iOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. II3 

I . 'LIA.S W. ARNOLD, one of the well known and permanent mechanics 
-*— ' (jf lola, has passed a quarter of a century in Allen county, having 
come into it in 1875. He was an Ohio emigrant, from Wayne county, 
where he was born on the 9th of April, 1851. His father, George Arnold, 
was a farmer and carpenter, who was brough*; to Ohio when a child from 
the state of Maryland. The early residents of Wayne and Stark counties, 
Ohio, well remember George Arnold as a mechanic for he handled the 
saw and the hammer in the two municipalities nearly half a century. 

Daniel Arnold, our subject's grandfath-r, was the founder of the 
family in Ohio for it was he who crossed the AUeghetiies from Maryland 
just after the war of 1812 and began the initial work of opening up a farm 
in Wayne county. He died and is buried in the Buckeye state. 
George Arnold was an only child. He was born in 1812 and died in 
1898. He married Mary Spake, whose father, John Spake, was from the 
state of Pennsylvania, and served in the war of 1812. Mary (Spake) 
Arnold died in 1900 at the age of seventy-six j-ears. She was twice 
married, her first husband being Jacob Plum. George Arnold was also 
twice married, his first wife being Mary Bowman. The family of Plum 
children were: John, deceased, who served in the 120th Ohio Infantry; 
Elizabetli, who married William Cordray, died in Wayne county, Ohio. 
The first family of Arnold children is composed of John Arnold, who 
resides in Wayne county, Ohio; Levi, of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Hiram and 
David, deceased. Eli and Hiram served in the 4th Ohio regiment, the 
latter dying in the service. The younger generation, which includes our 
subject, are: Elias W. ; Jennie, wife of Calvin Taggart; Mary; Amanda, 
wife of Jerre Houk, of Wayne county; Daniel and Charles, of Wayne: 
Jacob, whose whereabouts are unknown; and Elberta, who married John 
Trout, of Wayne county, Ohio. 

E. W. Arnold practically grew up in a carpenter shop. He had 
completed his trade by the time he had acquired a fair common school 
education and at the age of about twenty 3'ears he undertook the seriou.s 
side of life. He made no pretentions to any other calling before he came 
west and the first few years he was in Allen county he picked up a few 
dollars here and there as the opportunity occurred, in this waj'. Twenty 
years ago mechanics were more numerous in Allen county than jobs and 
Mr. Arnold found it necessary to employ other means, at times, to supply 
the wants of his family. Gardening and a little truck patch business here 
and there and doing odd jobs at anything and for anybody is not an exag- 
gerated statement of his experiences for a few years in Kansas. When he 
became able to buy a lot and improve it, and then sell, he struck his first 
money-making project. The town property he acquired in this way he 
finally traded for a farm which he moved onto and cultivated with some 
degree of profit, a few vears. In the spring of 1900 he erected a couple of 
residences in Jones' addition to lola, returned to the city and resumed his 
trade. Toward the development of lola he has built, on his own account, 



"4 



IIISTOKV OK AI.r.MN AND 



seven lioiises not to say auj^lit of the nian\ he has been connected with 
merely as a mechanic. 

Jainiary 22, 1874, Mr. Arnold wa- married to Lonisa A., a dauH:liter 
of Aaron Altluid. The latter married Margaret Jones and died in Stark 
count> , Ohio, in December, 1S95, at th-r ajje ol sixty-seven years. His 
wife died in 1866 at the age of thirty-four years. The Altlands were from 
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio where they settled early. John 
Altland, Mrs. Arnold's grandfather, was born in 17C/1 and died in 1^71. 
He was a farmei and was married to Susan Kckroate, who died in 1875 at 
the age of eighty-one. Aaron Altland's children are: Louisa A., born July 
20, 1853; and Andrew and Josiah .\. Altland, of Stark county, Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold's children are: Clark Warren, born August 
II, 1875: Edna, born May iS, 1884; Odella, born April 25, 1888; Almeda. 
born April 14, 1891. Three children, Aaron, Ethel S. and George S. 
Arnold, are deceased. 

Eli .\rnold has been one of the industrious citizens of his community. 
His sympathies have always been with the struggling, honest toiler for he 
felt that he was one of them. His life has been in every way honorably 
spent aiid he has done his best with the resources at his command. 



JASPICR S. TTRXER — In the early spring of i8Ssa new man succeeded 
Mr. AUaway in charge of the Santa Fe station at Ida. He was an eastern 
man but had absorVjed western ways and western customs in his association 
with the Iniilders of the Union Pacific Railroad from Junction City to 
Denver ami in his sub.seqnent association with men <.f the craft on other 
lines and in other departments of the work. The year 1SS5 marks his ad- 
vent to the service of the Southern Kansas Railroad Company, now the 
Santa Fe Railroad Company, and he was, consequently, in the probationary 
stage of service when he came to lola. We refer, in these preliminaries, 
to the person whose name introduces this review, Jasper S Turner. 

Mr. Turner was born in Medina County, Ohio, February 17, 1842, and 
passed his boyhood there. The country was all he had an opportunity to 
familiari/.e himself with as a boy and youth and his education was obtained 
amid such surroundings for the time being. In the fall of 186 1 he enlisted 
in Company B, 42nd Ohio Volunteers for three months and upon the ex- 
piration of his time reenlisted and was assigned to Company I, 103rd Ohio 
volunteers. His regiment served in the army of the the Tennessee and 
when his second period of enlistment expired he was in Ten- 
nessee, and there veteranized. He did not furlough home as was the prac- 
tice under such circumstances, and as the remainder of his company did. 
but continued on duty and remained in the field until the last gun had 
been fired and the last vestige of the Confederacy had been wiped out. 

The first year after the war Mr. Turner spent in attendance upon the 
Mennonite College at Wadsworth, Ohio. His experiences up to this time 



WOOIXStJN COUNTIES, KANSAS. II5 

had been ample to enable him to co])e successfully with his i)e rs in the 
warfare of life and in 1867 he started west "to look for someUiinj^. " The 
developnitiit of the west was at that time in its incipient stages. The first 
><;reat anery of domestic commerce to unite the Atlantic and the Pacific was 
then building and our subject drifted toward Kansas, the initial point in its 
ccjnstruction. He secured the clerkship with the vSuperintendent of con- 
struction and followed the road out to Denver and observed its completion 
to that point. He returned to .Manhattan, Kansas, next and entered the 
st-ition service of the same road, the "Kansas Pacific," and while here was 
injured and forced to retire from the service, going to Wyandotte, Kansas. 
He secuied a clerkship in one of the hotels of the place and there passed 
a period of six months. Returning again to railroad work he entered the 
service ot the Ft. Scott and Gulf road as clerk for the assistant Superin- 
tendent of con.struction. Leaving this position he went into the station de- 
partment of the North Missouri, now the Wabash Railroad, and remained 
with that system from the fall of !869 to April, i.SSt, when he left their 
employ at Plattsburg, Missouri. He joined the Southern Kansas company 
the same year and on the 1.3th of March following took charge of the station 
at lola. 

Mr. Turner's is one of the old .American families. His great-great- 
grandfather and his great-grandiather were born in the Fatherland and, on 
arrival in .\meiici, settled somewhere on the Atlantic coa.st. The great- 
grandfather served in the Colonial army during the wa: for Independence. 
He was probably a recruit from the colony of Xew Jeisey, for some of his 
jiosterity went from that State into Pennsylvania in the early part of the 
19th century. John Turner, our subject's grandfather, emigrated from 
"Jersey" and settled on the Muskingum river in western Pennsylvania 
when his son, Alexander, was a youth. Some years afterward he moved 
over into Ohio and passed the remaining years of his life in Medina County. 
.Among his children was .\le.xander, the father of the subject of this sketch. 
The latter spent many years teaming between Pittsburg and Wadsworlh, 
(Jhio, served with the Ohitj troops in the Mexican war and finally settled 
down to the farm near Wadsworth, where both he and hi'; wife died. He 
married Betsey French, who died in November, 1870, just eight years be- 
fore her husband. Their children were Alonzo, of Halley, Idaho; James, 
deceased; Maria, deceased, who married Chas. Curtis; Chas. Wesley, de- 
cea.sed; Qaincy A., the ist. and Quincy A., the 2nd; and Jasper S., ist 
and 2nd, the latter being, of cour.se, the subject of this article. 

Jasper S. was married while he was in Plattsburg, Missouri, October 
23, 1872, to M. Fannie Butler, a Kentucky lady. For many years Mrs. 
Turner has conducted the leading millinery and ladies tailoring establish- 
ment in lola and the Turner block on West Madison, is in a great measure, 
a monument to her skill and industry. In their relations to the social .side 
of lola Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been most fortunate and happy. They 
are a po]>ular host and hostess and they hold the confidence of their towns- 
men in a his.;li and permanent degree. 



ri6 HISTORY OK ALl.EX AXIi 

IRA E. PATTERvSON, o{ lola, in the business of phinibing. cornice 
work and general builders supplies, began his life in lola in 1882, as a 
clerk in the grocery of Richards & Lakin. The next year hejoiiied Ninirod 
Hankins in the same business, which pannership and business existed one 
year. Being a mechanic, he engaged in building work and followed his 
trade some ten years, and left it to engage in the lumber business with H. 
E.Thomas. Upon the dissolution of this firm their tinning and plumbing 
business was retained and Mr. Patterson succeeded to it. While at first it 
was a matter of small dimensions the growth of the city has justified its 
owner in extending and enlarging his business till its importance is second 
to none in Allen County. 

Mr. Patterson was born in Henry County, 111., March 30, 1865. He 
received a good common school education in the school at Annawan, 111. 
At the age of seventeen years he became responsible for his maintenance 
and support. He went into a carpenter shop with W. K. Brown, of Anna- 
wan, and became an efficient mechanic in due time. He came to Kansas 
a youth of eighteen with no capital except his industry and his character. 
How well he has exercised the former and maintained the lattei old lesi- 
dents of lola will amply testify. 

Mr. Patterson was married in lola October, 1889, to Susie B., a 
daughter of Henry Waters. Mrs. Patterson was born in Douglas County, 
Kansas, in 1868. Their children are: Arthur E.. Lyford M. and Helen R. 
Patterson. 

Mr. Patterson is known as an active Republican and as a leadirg 
member of the Methodist church. He has served the city as a member of 
her common Council and has served his church in its various departments 
of church work. 



IRA I). KELLEV is the jiroprietor of the only hack and baggage line in 
the cily of lola, and is doing an extensive and profitable business. His 
salient characteristics are energy and persistency of pu! po.se, aad as these 
form the foundation of all success his friends feel safe in predicting that he 
will become one of the prosperous residents of Allen County. He is yet 
a young man for his birth occurred June 3, 1875, the place of his nativity 
being Nev^ton Coiintv, Arkansas, and he is a son of William U. Kellev, of 
lola. 

Ira D. Kelley has spent twenty-five years in Allen County. At a very 
early age he commenced driving for his father in the transfer business and 
after a few years he purcha.sed the business, which he has since carried on 
with ever increasing success. He began with only one bus, and since that 
time has added a new wagon or carriage each year and has the only hack 
and baggage line of the city. 

On the i6th of May, 1896, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Miss 
Grace X. Smith, of Humboldt, Kansas, and their pleasant home in lola is 



^vo(.MiSo^• corxTiEs. kaxsas. 117 

justly celebrated for its charming hospitality. Mr. Kelley is connected with 
a number of fraternal and social organization; , including tlie Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Order of Elks. His genial man- 
ner and unfailing courtesy render him popular, and in business circles he 
sustains a high reputation. 



T^IylSHA JAY — For more than a third of a century Elisha Jay has been 
-'—'a resident of Allen County and during this period has carried on farm- 
ing, which Washington said is the most honorable as well as the most use- 
ful calling which man follows. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, 
October 23, 1837, his parents being Jonathan and Ann (Jones) Jay, al^o 
natives of the Buckeye vState. In 1850 the father removed with his family 
to Indiana, where he made his home upon a farm until his life's labors were 
ended in death in 1867, when he was sixty-two years of age. 

Elisha Jay was the third of six children in his father's family and was 
seventeen years of age at the time of the removal to Indiana. The common 
schools had afforded him his educational privileges and in his early life he 
learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some time, but dur- 
ing the greater part of his business career he has carried on farming and 
has found it a profitable source of income He was married in 1861 to 
Miss Hannah Palmer, a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, and a 
daughter of Daniel and Mahala Palmer, who were the parents of ten chil- 
dren. The father died in Fountain County, Indiana, on the 14th of Janu- 
ary, 1867, at the age of sixty-five years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs, 
Jay has been blessed with four children, of whom three aie now living, 
namely: Albert, a resident of Galena, Kansas; Jonathan, who is living in 
Salem township and William B. 

Five years after his marriage Mr. Ja^ came to Kansas. Much of the 
land was .still unclaimed and the government offered homesteads at a 
nominal price to those who would cultivate and improve the wild prairie. 
Our subject thus secured a farm irve miles east of Humboldt, where h e still 
resides and by his industry, as time has passed, he has developed one of 
the best farms in Salem township, adding thereto all modern accessories 
and improvements. He is well known in the county and has a host of 
warm friends. His political support is given the Republican party and in 
religious work he has been quite active. He was made one of the trustees 
of the Maple Grove Methodist Episcopal church when that society was 
organized and still holds the position. In the interim this has grown to be 
a prosperous church, strong numericall>- and in its far-reaching influence. 
Throughout his life Mr. Jay has been found true to the principles in which 
he believes, and honesty and integrity are synonymous with his name. 



II.S HISTORY OK AI.r,E\' AND 

"\ 3\ 7 I I.Ll AM li KKLLMV, lola's leading drayiiKin and a gentleman 
* " who has established an enviable reputation for honesty, sobrietv 
and pul)lic s])irit, is a native of one of the southern states, having been born 
in Jackson County, Alabama, August 2.^, 1847. His ancestors were radi- 
cally southern, having resided in that section for generations and having 
been introduced therein at so early a date that it is not positively known. 
Eli. M. Kelley, our subject's father, was born in Walker County, Georgia, 
ill 182.^, and is a son of Marvel Kelley who died in that county in 1830. 
Eli M. Kelley has made the calling of his forefathers his life work. He 
resides in Butler County, Kansas, where he located in 1872 and is well 
known as a farmer and suljstantial citizen. He resided in Arkansas during 
the Civil war and, although in one of the hottest secession states he sided 
with the Union and entered the 2nd Arkansas cavalry and .served nearly 
two years in the western army. Circum.stances made him a Republican 
many years ago and he has not had occasion to depart from the faith. He 
married Elizabeth J. Reynolds in the State of Alal)ama. She died in But- 
ler County, Kansas, October 16, 1893, at the age of sixty-six years. She 
was a daughter of Calvin Reynolds, a southern planter whose family home 
was in Tennessee. Eli Kelley 's children are: V\'illiam B.; Marvel C, of 
Butler County, Kansas; John M., of lola: Pleasant S. , of Wes'.ern Kansas: 
Palestine, deceased, married John Hall and left a husband and one babe, 
George M., in Cowley County, Kansas. She died September 15, 1882 at 
the age of 21. 

William B. Kelley came to manhood's estate chiefly in Arkansas. His 
father resided for a time in Green County, Missouri, and there our subject 
got his education in the district schools. When he reached his majority he 
began the battle o) life as a farmer. He maintained him.self at this for some 
years, even doing a little of it after his advent to lola. He came to this 
point in 1875 and, although he claimed to be a farmer for fifteen years, he 
was not at all well known as such. In 1890 he saw an opportunity to en- 
gage in the dray- business, with some promise of return, and he did so. 
But tlie dray business at that date in Tola's history was very light. In fact 
it can hardly be said to have reached the dignity of a business. But some- 
how Kelley found enough to do to keep the wolf from the door of a fair- 
sized family. He hauled everything, from junk to baggage and kept in the 
field so that when his town finally started in her career toward the^skies he 
went with her. In a short time his single team was inadequate and he 
added another, and another, and finally two more until his yard and stables 
have something of the appearance of a metropolitan one. His original 
homestead has kept pace in the march of progress. At the beginning it 
contained one house and he has added more than one house for each team, 
on the same block. 

In June, 1869, Mr. Kelley was married in Newton County, Arkansas, 
to Susan A., a daughter of John T. Spears, of South Carolina, a farmer 
and trader. The children of this union are: John M., Levi S., Ira D., and 
Agnes J., wife of James Dunfee. 



WOODSON COUXTIKS, KANSAS. lie) 

LEONARD C. THOMAS, one ui the well-to-do farmers of Allen 
county, was born in Qiiincy, Illinnis, March 7, 1S59, of German 
parentage. His father, Fliilip Thomas, was a native of Germany, and 
came to America at the a;.;e of twelve years. He represented a family 
widely known for excellent business ability, its members attaining a high 
degree of prosperity. Two of his brothers yet survive. Casper Thomas, 
who came to America in 1849, located in California. He is now living in 
lu.Kury in Germany. Tobias, also went to California and is now li\-ing in 
Portland, Oregon. 

In early life Philip Thomas begjii working at the cooper's trade which 
he followed in this country with excellent success, thereby acquiring a 
very desirable competence. He married Elizabeth Herleman, who was 
born in Denmark, and came to America when nine years of age. She w'as 
a daughter of Jacob Herleman, a farmer, who died near Quincy, Adams 
county, Illinois, when in tiie prime of life. Her brother, Nick Herleman, 
made his fortune on a farm, and is now living retired in Quincy. Her 
sister, wtio married a Mr. Smith, and was widelj^ known as "Aunt Smith," 
died wealthy. The money making propensity of the family was manifest 
in Philip Thomas, whose business grew in volume and importance, so that 
he furnished employment to between one and two hundred men. By his 
marriage to Miss Herleman the following children were born: Mary, 
widow of Mr. Messerschinidt, who was a well-to-do saddler; Lysetta, who 
died in May, 1898, was the wife of Mr. Winter, who died in May, 1900. 
He served for four years and seven mouths in the Civil war, participated 
in the battle of Bull Run, and was seven times wounded. At the battle 
of Wilson Creek, General Eyons fell and he aided in carrying him from 
the field. In other engagements, Mr. Winter also sustained wounds. As 
soon as it became known that he was a boatman, he was detached from land 
service ani placed on a transport boat, where he served until after the close 
of hostilities. Albert Thomas, the eldest son of the family, was a sergeant 
in the Regular army and now is in the Philippine war. Philip C., who 
was born in June, 1853, has followed the coopering business all his life in 
partnership with his father. He has a son, a machinist, now in Denver, 
Colorado. Tobias, the youngest son of the family, is an engineer with the 
Pvlectric Weaving Company, of Quincy, Illinois. 

Leonard C. Thomas acquired a common .school education and received 
a thorough training at the cooper's trade, which he learned under the 
direction of his father, of whom he afterward became a partner. They 
took the trees as they were cut down in the forest and did all the work of 
manufacturing the lumber and making the barrels. Mr. Thomas, of this 
review, followed the business until November, 1883, when he came to 
Kansas. He has since carried on agricultural pursuits here. In Novem- 
ber previous he had wedded Miss Carrie .Smith, a sister of Judge J. B. 
Smith, of the probate court of Allen county. Her father, John Smith, was 
for four years sheriff of Sangamon county, Illinois, and was at one time 
mayor of Springfield, Illinois. He was elected and serveil for one term in 



120 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

the State legislature, and was afterward appointed warden of the state 
penitentiary. When the war broke out he was in Springfield and there he 
formed a company and was appointed captain. He represented an old 
Kentucky family but po.sses.sed strong abolition principles. John Smith, 
however, was the only Republican in his family, and had brothers in the 
southern army. He was killed in a railroad accident between Chicago 
and Springtiel'.i, Illinois, while warden of the penitentiary. Two sons and 
one daughter still survive him. The third being Will Smith, a real estate 
dealer in Oklahoma. 

As before stated Mr. Thomas came to Kansas in 18S3. His wife had 
inherited two hundred and fifty-six acres of land on section 32, Salem 
township, and this induced him to take up the life of farming. Mr. 
Thomas broke all of this tract and all of the improvements on the place 
stand as monuments to his thrift and tuterprise. Here they have reared 
their three children: John, who was born June 26, iSS-; Charles, born in 
November, 1SS9, and Elmer B., born March 31, 1896. They are being 
provided with vjood educational privileges and well fitted for life's practical 
duties. Mr. Thomas has been a man of marked enterprise and excellent 
executive ability who.se sagacity and energy in business affairs have con- 
tributed in a large measure to his prosperity. 



JOHN H. VANXUYS, cashier of the Xorthrup National Bank at lola, 
an early settler in Allen county and a gentleman widely known and 
universally esteemed, was born in Johnson county, Indiana, September 
20, 1S40. He is a son of Isaac Vannuys and passed his boyhood and 
youth upon the farm. He acquired a good elementary education in the 
country schools and in Hopewell Academy. Before he had undertaken to 
battle with the problems of life the Civil war burst upon the country and he 
attained his majority in the ranks of Co. F, Seventh Indiana Infantry. He 
enlisted lor three years in August and his regiment went at once into West 
Virginia and became a part of the Federal forces fighting the battles for 
liberty and union in that state. Two weeks attei leaving Indianapolis 
Mr. \"annnys was in the battle of Green Briar. Toward the latter part of 
the year his .service in the field was interrupted by sickness and he spent a 
part of ths first winter in the hospital at Cumberland, Maryland, before 
furloughing home. He returned to his command in time for the engage- 
ment at Port Republic and was in the field with it till after the second 
battle of Bull Run. His lying out in all kinds of weather brought on an 
attack of acute rheumatism and he was so crippled by it that he lay in the 
hospital nearly all the second winter. When the Confederates started 
north on their second raid and all the men were being pushed to the 
defense of Washington the hospitals were drawn upon for their convales- 
cents and our subject was given a gun with the rest. He was sent north 
with them to Columbia, near Harrisburg, on the Susquehanna river, 



WUODSOX C<irXTIES. KANSA>. 12 1 

guarding the long bridiie. and he reached liis regiment again after the 
battle of Gettysburg had been won. He was able for duty the remainder 
of his term of enlist-inent and was in all the engagements of the regiment 
up to and including the fight in front of Petersburg, \'irginia. He received 
a bullet through the right thigh in that fierce engagement and was ren- 
dered incapably of further service to the regiment. He was discharged 
September 20. 1S64. and, upon returning home, he took a business college 
course at Indianapolis the following winter. In the fall of 1865 he was in the 
national bank at Croshen, Indiana, for a few months but severe illness 
forced his retirement and the following spring and summer he spent in the 
Secotid National Bank ot Franklin, Indiana. In the spring of 1867 he 
came to Kansas and spent his first two years here upon an Allen county 
farm. He was associated with James Christian in the cattle business, more 
or less, in which enterprise Mr. Christian was also a partner. In the 
spring of 1S69 he came to lola and associated liim.self with William Davis 
in the clothing business. Before this firm ceased to exist he went into the 
bank of L. L- Xorthrup, wliere he had had occasional employment, almost 
from the inception of the bank and was soon a fixture there. He dates 
his permanency with the bank from April 1S73. He has had such an 
extended connection with the institution that it seems this connection 
never had a beginning and never should have an ending. His relations 
have been so close to the guiding spirits of the institution and his attentions 
so unremitting to the institution itself that it can be said with propriety that 
he is a part of both. He has thought moie about his duty to his fel'.ows 
and to his Maker than to himself and has not profited by his opportunities 
as he might. Every charity, every benevolence crosses his path and everj- 
progressive movement for the substantial or intellectual improvement of 
his community is a beneficiary of his purse. 

Mr. \'annuys' connection with the Presbyterian church of lola has 
been long and constant. As Treasurer of the Board of Trustees his tenure 
of office runneth not, neither to his predecessor or his successor. His 
moral code is strict and unbending and his aesthetic nature is well 
cultivated. 

Isaac \'annuys, our subject's father, was born in Kentucky in 1813. 
His father and our subject's grandfather was probably born in Jersey City, 
Xew Jersey, went to Kentucky many years ago and, about 1835, settled in 
Johnson county, Indiana, wliere he died in 1846 at about seventy years of 
age. He married a Miss Demaree and reared a large family. His sou. 
Isaac, who died in 1844, married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Johnson. 
Elizabeth (Johnson) \'anniiys was born in Henry county, Kentuck}-, in 
1S15. Her children are: Archibald C who died in 1861; Charity E., 
wife of H. C. Winchester, of Carlvle, Kansas: Julia E., widow of l.saac 
C. LaGrange, of Franklin, Ind.: John Harvey, our subject: and Mary C, 
widow of Richard T. Overstreet, of Johnson county. Ind. Our subject's 
grand ancestors on both the paternal and marernal sides were native born 
English. Scotch, Irish and German respectiveh . 

The political histon,- of Mr. Vannuys can be sunied up in a few words. 



122 HISTOKV OK AI.I.KN ANll 

He joined the Republican party as soon as he became a voter and that 
public safeguard has since been his political refuge. 

Mr. Vannuys' first wife was Anna M. Overstreet, who died in lola 
Xoveniber 20, 187 1, without leavin.a; issue. In May. 1S74, he married 
Kmily A., daughter of the late L. I.. Xi,)rthrup Mrs. X'aiinuys died in 
April, 1885, without issue. 



A M. BKEMAX — Among the sons of the Empire State who have cast in 
-^^^their lot with the citizens of Kansas and are numbered among the 
representatives of Allen County is A. M. Beeman, who was born in Xew 
York, March 8, 1833. His parents were John S. and I'rsiila (Crooker) 
Heeman, the former born in Vermont in 18 12, and the latter in Connecticut 
in 1813. Our subject now has in his possession several mementoes of his 
wife's grandmother, among other things a ribbon belt which was worn 
more than a century ago. In 1836 Mr. Heeman's parents removed to 
Michigan, but after nine years returned to the Empire State, where the 
father died in 1888, — the mother having passed away in i83<.>, — leaving 
three children: Julia, wife of William Cobb; A. M. , of this review; and 
Emily, wife of Ira Allen. 

.\. M. Beeman was reared in Xew York with the exception of 
the nine years spent by the family in Michigan, and in the common schools 
he accjuired his education. In 1S67 he came to Kansas, — a young man of 
34 years, — full of energy, determination and resolution. He secured a 
homestead claim of eighty acres, six miles east of Humboldt, and still re- 
sides upon that property, having made it a highly cultivated and productive 
tract. In his early life he learned the gunsmith's trade and during the 
Civil war worked in the gunshops, making Enfield rifles for u.se by the Union 
army, thus rendering effective service for his country. He was employed 
in this way in Canandaigua. Xew York, where he manufactured many guns 
used b)- sharpshooters. 

In 1867, the year of his removal to the west, Mr. Beeman was united 
in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Pomeroy. a native of New York. Her father, 
Chauncey Pomeroy, was born in that State, A ugust 26, 1813, and married 
Fannie Eli/a .\lger, a native of Ontario. Mr. Pomeroy's death occurred 
in July, 1848, but his wife, who was born in 1817, is still living. They 
were the parents of six children, as follows: Jane I)., William I., Lydia A., 
Catharine A., George W. and Henry T. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Beeman was blessed with seven children: Emma Ursula, Edwin A., Chas. 
Wesley, Mary Etta, John S., Martin O. and Benight M. The last named 
is now deceased. 

Mr. Beeman is a popular resident of his community. He has served 
as justice of the peace of his township, is now its treasurer, and in 1900 re- 
ceived the nomination of the People's Party for the office of towtiship 
tru.stee. He deserves great credit for svhat he has accomplished in life, for 



WOODSON" COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 23 

lie Started out to earn his living when only twelve years <jf age, and since 
that time has depended entirely on his own resources. Diligence has been 
the keynote to his success, and his example is one that might be profitablv 
foll(jwed by all who have to depend upon their own exertions. His worth 
is widely recognized -Mid he enjoys the friendshi[) oi m-iny of the best peo- 
ple of Allen County. 

TTHAMHR K. RANDOLPH has won the right to be termed a self-made 
-L man and is now classed among the enterprising citizens of Salem town- 
ship, Allen County. He was born in Shelby County, Indiana, January 9, 
1844, and is a son of Reuben F. Randolph, a native of Ohio, who removed to 
the Hoosier State when a young man and was there married to Miss Amanda 
Runyon, who was born in Indiana of southern pirentage. During the 
early boyhood of their son Ithamer they removed to Iowa, where both died 
in November, i860, there being only about two weeks' difference in the 
time of their demise. Their children were: Owen F., Reuben F. , William 
F. , Ithamar F. , Melinda F. , wife of Lafayette Shadley, who was killed at 
Cf)ffeyville by the Daltons; Amanda F. , wife of Alexander Breeding and 
Margaret A. F., wife of Charles Hodgkiss. 

Ithamar F. Randolph spent the greater part of his youth in Iowa, and 
to its public school system is indebted for the educational privileges which 
he enjoyed. He worked on the home farm until after the country became 
involved in Civil war, when on the 15th of Julv, 1863, at the age of 19 
years, he offered his ser\aces to the government, enlisting in Company C, 
Ninth Iowa Cavalry, with which he remained until the 20th of March, 
1866. During that time he was in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas with the 
Western Division, engaged in fighting bushwhackers and Texas Rangers. 
He was never wounded nor taken prisoner, although he saw some very 
hard service while as.sociated with the boys in blue in establishing the 
supremacy of the Union. 

After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Randolph returned to 
L>avis County, Iowa, and two years later married Miss Miriam \'. Cade, a 
native of that county. The marriage was celebrated March 12, 1868, and 
has been blessed with seven children: Louie F , now the wife of W. J. 
Roj'er; Mattie F. , wife of W. J. Kelso; Mary F. , wife of Lewis Anderson, 
of Kansas City, Missouri; Effie F., Myrtle F. , Bessie F. , and Jessie F. , all 
at home. 

Mr. Randolph continued to reside in Iowa until 1877, when he came 
with his family to Kansas and for five years was a resident of Wilson 
County. The spring of 1882 witnessed his arrival in Allen County, and 
lie purchased a farm in the southeastern part of Salem township, where he 
still resides, having a very comfortable home that stands as a monument to 
his thrift and enterpri.se, His life has been one of industry and honesty, 
and his career has been a useful and commendable one, showing what can 
be accomplished by determined purpose and serving as an example that is 
well worthy of emulation. 



124 IlISTokV i)F AI.I.KX AND 

FRANK JACKSOX, of Carlyle township, is one of Allen County's 
pioneers. He w.is b >rn in lol i MHrch 31, i.S5i, an 1, with the excep- 
tion of four years spent in Cowley County, Kansas, has resided continu- 
ously in Allen County. His life has been devoted to the farn; and the re- 
'vards of his industry have been never-tailing and constant. Beginning 
life as a mere boy and in a molest and unpretentious way he has come to 
be recognized as one of our most thrifty and successful small farmers. 

The Jacksons were among the first settlers of Allen County. Joel 
Jackson, father of the subject of this review, started west from some point 
in the State of Wisconsin with a yoke <}f o.xeu and a linchpin wagon. II i-- 
objective point was Kansas and he arrived in lola about 1859. On the 
journey out one ox died and a cow was substituted for the remainder of the 
trip. Farming was Mr. Jackson's occiapation and he had that vocation in 
mind when he came to this new State. He entered the army the first year 
of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company I>;, 9th Kansas, and was killed at 
the battle of Stone Lane, Missouri. 

Joel Jackson was an Ivnglishman. He was niarried to Mary Fleek. 
who died March 25, 1S97. Upon the death of Mr. Jackson his widow was 
left with a family of small children. They were: Niton Jackson, of Okla- 
homa; William, of Kansas City, Missouri; Jo.seph, deceased, and Frank 
The family remained in lola till i.Syo when the mother took a homestead 
northeast of town and moved her family and effects onto it. With the aid 
of her .sons she opened up a farm there and slowly accjnired the means to 
make them comfortable. All the sons left home, in time, but Frank. He 
>tuck to the farm, through hard times, poor seasons and poor markets and 
encouraged and took care of his mother, never losing faitli in Kansas. 

Our subject was married in Cowley County, Kansas, in November, 
1S79. His wife was Miss Lizzie vSutliff, a daughter of Abe Sutliff. She 
was born March 31, 1862, and, as a companion, has borne her portion of 
the family responsibilities. She is really a "better half" and a genuine 
woman and a genuine man are at the head of their family. Their children 
are; Niley, Mile> , John. Kffie, Frankie and .Altie. 

As a farmer Frank Jackson has been a success. He has proceeded 
upon the theory that if he provided the labor and managed his affairs with 
wisdom Providence would do the rest. He never complains or fault-finds 
over a crop shortage, but takes a hopeful view of all things. He has a 
surplus when anybody has and often when others have not. From a team 
and a few cattle he has expanded to a one hundred and twenty acre farm, 
well stocked. Although he takes a fervent interest in politics he does so 
for the benefit of his party and not for himself. He has always been a Re- 
publican, has always practiced honesty and has the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow countrvmen. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I25 

TOXATHAX M. MATTOOX.— The historic village uf Geneva in Allen 
" countN is yet rich in the personal presence of pioneers; men whose 
years had scarcely reached the quarter century mark when they established 
"hemselves in that community: men whose forms are now bent with years 
and awaiting tlie passing of the spirit to be laid away with the honored 
dead. When the names of Spicer, Dickey, Esse, Rowland and Mattoon 
have passed into the Great Beyond then will Geneva cease to turn to her 
first .settlers for her "first things" but place her reliance in recoi ds instead. 

J. M. Mattoon has been one of the characters of Allen county for 
nearly fort3^-five years. He came to the county in 1857 when the settle- 
ment at Geneva was being founded and cast his lot with the brethren of 
the east. He had started west eight years before he reached Kansas but 
spent the intervening years in Michigan where he was employed as a 
machinist. His place of birth was in Jefferson county. New York, and 
the date was December 17, 1813. Gershom Mattoon was his father anil 
X'ancy vSayer was his mother, natives of Connecticut and New Jersev, 
respectively. Of the nine children of these parents only two survive, viz: 
Our subject and a sister, Harriet Williams, of Warsaw, Michigan. 

Mr. Mattoon was married to Tracy Hancock and in 1849 went intcj 
Michigan. Eight years later he found himself on the Irontier of civiliza- 
tion and at the gateway to the great American Desert. Choosing mer- 
chandising as his vocation he engiged in it with little delay and manv 
\ ears passed ere he laid aside the liquid measure, the yard stick and the 
scissors. In 1858 he was appointed assistant post-master at Geneva and 
two years later he was appointed chief of the ofhce. He held this latter 
position through several administtations — from Lincoln to McKinley — until 
he had held the office more than forty years and was one of the oldest 
post- masters in the United States. 

In i860 Mr. Mattoon suffered the loss of his wife. She was the 
mother of eight children, two sons, both of whom served in the Civil War. 
and both of whom have since died. The surviving daughters are: Lucy 
J.; Matilda, wife of Henry Gray; Josena, wife of Louis Davidson; Cecil 
Carrv; Mav, wife of F'rank Campliell, and Adda, who married William 
Hyde. 

J. M. Mattoon has filled a place in the affairs of men. He brought 
with him to his new western home character and honor and has maintained 
them both untarnished and uuassailed. Honesty and integrity "blazed" 
his pathway and whether transacting his private business or representing 
his constituents in a public office his watchword was the same. 



T3 0BERT P'. WHITE.— One of the early settlers in Geneva township, 
-*- *- Allen county, and a gentleman whose prominence as a farmer and 
whose influence in public affairs is universally recognized, is Robert F 
White, of lola, He settled on the H. L. Spencer farm, on the Neosho 



1 j6 iriSTOKY OK Al.I.KX AN'l) 

river, in 1.S66 and from that date till his rtceiit removal to Tola he was out- 
of the central figures of his township. He was born in Washington 
county, Indiana, November 20, .18.^4, but his parents removed to Hend- 
ricks county and there Mr. White was married and from that point he 
came into Kansas. He is a son of Maximillian White who was horn in 
North Carolina in March iSoi and whose parents settled in Washington 
countv, Indiana, in 1814. Caleb White, our subject's grandfather, was 
a shoemaker. He was born in North Carolina, belonged to the Quaker 
sect and passed his later life as a farmer. He married Parthena White 
and both are buried in Washington county, Indiana. The children of 
this pioneer couple were: Josiah, Ann, Sallie, Penelope, Margaret, Jean- 
ette. Caleb and Maximillian White. 

Maximillian White was one' of the prominent local Whigs in Indiana 
and wa.s married in Washington county to Ruth, a daughter of Lewis and 
Jane (Thompson) Woody. Jane (Woody) White died in 1841. Their 
children were: Anna, deceased, wife of Simeon Clayton; Asenas, de- 
ceasi.-d, who married Samuel Nixon; Eliza, deceased, was married to Edwin 
Pead; Lewis W., deceased; Robert P., our subject; Walter, deceased, and 
Martha White. 

Robert F. White is a typical countryman. His youth and vigorous 
manhood were passed amidst rural environments and his student days, 
proper, were confined to the district schools, finishing them with a term or 
so in an academy. He began life on a farm, when of age, and every other 
business is a stranger to him. He left Indiana in 1859 and settled on a 
farm in Lyon county. He was in the state militia during the war and was 
called out to chase Quantrell, Bill Anderson, and to repel Indian invasion 
and to defend Kansas against the Price raid. 

Mr. White was first married in 1854 to Estlier Hadley. She died in 
1869 and in 1872 he married Elizabeth Odell. Mrs. White was a daughter 
of Isaac and Mary Odell, both from Tennessee. Mrs. White was born in 
Coles county, Illinois, in 1834. The other Odell children are: George 
W. . of Reno county, Kansas; James H., of Neosho Falls, Kansas; MoUie, 
wife of John W. Parker, of Coles county, Illinois, and Mattie D., wife of 
D. M. Smith, of Mattoon, Illinois. 

Robert F. White's children are: Jennie, deceased, wife of A. C. 
Settle: J. R. White, who died at twenty-one: F'rank 1). White, of (ieneva. 
who married Hester Saferight, and Ivnos White, who died at twenty-one. 

If R. F. White is well known for any one thing it is as a Republican. 
He was one of the first voters with the party but he did his first hallowing 
in a political campaign for Gen. Harrison in 1840. He has voted at every 
presidential election except the one in i860, when he was not a voter. He 
lias not aspired to serve the jK'ople in a jiublic capacity but did so as 
Trustee of his township, by ap])ointment. 



\V()(1I)S(_>X CntXTIKS, KANSAS. I27 

CHARLES \V. HALL has spent his entire life in the Mississippi Valley 
and the progressive spirit which dominates this section of the country, 
and has led to its wonderful advancement is manifest in his business career. 
He was born in Belvidere. Illinois, on the 26th of October, 1852, and is a 
.son ot Edward and Helen (Wickes) Hah, the former a native of New 
York, and the latter of Michigan. From the Wolverine state they removed 
to Illinois, where the mother died in 1861, at the age of twenty-seven 
years. .She had two children, but Charles W. is the only one now living. 

When nine years of age Charles W. Hall went to the Empire state 
where he resided for a time, afterward living in Illinois and Michigan. 
He pursued his education in the common .schools supplemented by one 
term's attendance at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. From early 
youth he has made his own way in the world, dependent entirely upon 
his own resources for a livelihood. At the age of eighteen he began 
steamboating on the river, learned the work of a marine engineer and suc- 
cessfullj' passed the engineer's examination, given by Mr. Cole of Port 
Huron. He then spent three years as an engineer on the Saginaw river, 
and on leaving the water returned to Michigan, where he purchased a 
farm. 

Mr. Hall then completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage 
to Miss Florence Larnbie, in 1875. Their children are: Lottie, wife of 
Joseph Reynolds; Nettie, Mary, George and Grace, who are still with 
their parents. For eleven years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hall 
resided in Michigan, but in 1884 became residents of Denver, Colorado, 
where he carried on business as a contractor and builder until 1893, the 
3-earof his arrival in Allen county, Kansas. 

In Allen county Mr. Hall purchased a farm of eighty acres in Cottage 
(^rove township, five miles south-east of Humboldt, and has erected upon 
it a nice residence, a good barn and many other improvements found upon 
a farm of the twentieth century. Depending entirely upon his own re- 
sources he has worked his way upward, brooking no obstacles that could 
be overcome by determined purpose and honorable labor. This has been 
the strongest factor in his success. While residing iu Denver he was 
appointed city inspector and held that position for four years. For .seven 
years he was chairman of the county central committee, and 
has alwa\s taken an active part in political work, doing everything in his 
power to promote the growth and insure t1ie success of the party in which 
he firmlv believes. 



DUNCAN — Among the settlers of Allen County who located along the 
Neosho River in the early seventies and who has maintained his home 
here since is James P. Duncan, ex-Register of Deeds of his adopted county. 
In November, 1870, he drove his teams and a small bunch of cattle onto 



I2.S IIISTOkV (iK AI.I.i:X AMI 

llie premises ol Win. I.. Z ink. three miles northwest of Hmnlioklt, where 
he made his first l)ul temporary home. He resided in tliis portion of old 
Humboldt township till 1 88 1, serving one-half of this tune as Trustee of 
tlie township, when he removed to Humboldt and it was from this latter 
point that he was appointed, by the Board of County Commissioners, Kci; ■ 
ister of Deeds to fill a vacancy" caused by the death of Jesse Fast. In this 
])Osition he served nearly seven years, or until January, 1890. 

The subject of this review left the wooded country of Indiana in 1865 
,ind made hiN residence respectively in Cooper County, Missouri, Douglas 
County, Kansas, and in Grundy County, Missouri, before his arrival in 
Allen County, as above stated. He wa.s borii in Putnam County, Indiana, 
March 22, 1840, was reared "in the clearing," and "niggering off logs" 
and burning brii>li formed a goodly share of his youthful occupation. He 
was three times enlisted in the Civil w,ir, first in the 78th Indiana \'olun- 
teers; second, in the 115th Indiana Vulunteers, Colonel Hahn, and third, 
in the nth Indiaia Volunteers, Colonel Lew Wallace. He served in an 
humble capacity "with the bo>s" and when his services were no longer 
needed he was discharged and returned home. 

October 24, 1858, occurred the marriage of the subject o( this review. His 
wife was nee Mary Klleu Bailey, a notice of whose ancestrx will appear farther 
on in this article. Eight children resulted from this union, viz: Annie, who 
tlied at one year old; Lew W'allace; Nora C. and Dora C , twins, born 
November 3, 1863. The former married Orlando P. Rose at Humboldt. 
Kansas, June ii.), 1883, died October 21.), 1884, leaving a son, Ora D. Ro.se, 
of Kansas City, Mi.ssouri; Dora C. married the hu.sband of her sister, Or- 
lando P. Rose, and resides in Kansas City, Missouri; Horace Otho, who 
died October 30, 1886, at nineteen years of age; J. Edgar, who died in 
April, 1873 at four years of age; Harry Evert, born December 24, 1871, is 
practicing dentistry in Humboldt, Kansas and M. Agnes, born February 28. 
[874, married Ernest L. Brown and died July 22, 1898, leaving two daugh- 
ters, Nita and Lois. 

In an effort to trace up the Duncan genealogj', as in everj- other like 
effort, it will be necessary to bring in the names of heads ot families remote 
from the stibject hereof, but as this volume is devoted in a measure to the 
preserving of records along these lines, for the satisfaction and enlighten- 
ment of their posterity, none of the family names will be omitted from this 
record whose strain can be shown to have effected the subject hereof or his 
posterity. 

The earliest record ot the Duncans of this strain, finds them located in 
the counties of Culpepper and F'auquiei , Virginia. Out subject's great 
grandfather was one of two men, Charles or William Duncan, whose father, 
it is believed, was the Scotch ancestor who was responsible for the estab- 
lishment of one branch of this American family. Three children of this 
doubtful ancestor referred to above are known to have survived, as follows: 
Henry, the grandfather of James P. Duncan, Charles, who reared a family 
in Missouri, and a datighter who married a Covington, after whom the city 
of Covington, Kentucky, was named. Henry Duncan was born about 



VVOOnSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 29 

1780, and during the last decade of the i8th century migrated to Bath 
County, Kentucky, where, about 1803 he married Polly Combs. Their 
children were: Matilda, who married Coleman Covington, her cousin, and 
a woolen manufacturer; James, father of our subject, born in i'<o6; 
Margaret; Miranda, who became the wife of William Barnett; Hiram, Jep- 
tha, Granvil and George. Henry Duncan died in Cooper County, Missouri, 
where some of his sons reared families. 

James Duncan, father of our subject, was married in Kentuck}' to 
Annie Procior, a daughter of James B. and Elizabeth Proctor. The la.st 
named married a daughter of an old well-to-do planter, Valentine and 
Elizabeth (Hicks) Tudor, of .Madison County. Kentucky, and went up into 
Indiana about 1830, and settled in Boone County. His sons-in-law James 
Duncan, David Hedge and John Blackburn all passed their lives between 
North Salem and Lebanon and in that section the venerable couple lived 
honorable Christian lives and died. The children of James and Annie 
(Proctor) Duncan were: Mary, who married William Woodard, left tvvo 
children at death, Leonidas E. A,, and Froncy: Coleman C, who resides 
in Clay City, Indiana, married Lizzie Glenn and reared Dr. Walter C.; 
William, May and Franka; Dr. William, who died without heirs just after 
the war; .\nnie, wife of Champ C. Yeager, of Allen County, Kansas, is the 
mother of three surviving children, James L., of Oregon, Mary E., wife 
of E. W. Trego, of Allen County, Kansas, and Faucis M., of St. Joseph, 
-Missouri; James P. Duncan, our subject; Miranda, wife of Andrew J. 
Stephens, of Rich Hill, Missouri, with issue as follows: James, Dillon, 
Annie L- and William; George W. Duncan, who married Nan Davis, has 
two children, Elmer, of Colorado, and Mrs. Lulu Davis, of North Salem, 
Indiana; John W., who married Betty Owen and died near Humboldt, 
Kansas, February, 189S, leaving Pheres, Mrs. Frelia Stewart, Emmert, 
of the Indian Territory, Mrs. Thella Booe, of Indiana, Bertha, Buhlon and 
Olin; Almanda (Duncan) Ray, deceased, left five children in Indiana; 
Nancy Duncan, who married John Gosuold, of Kansas City, has four chil- 
dren: Laura, Bessie, Edna, and Nina; Kittie Dnncan, deceased, wife of 
William Long, left four children near Holden, Missouri. James Duncan's 
finst wife died in 1855 and a few years later he married Mrs. Amanda Dean, 
who bore him Ruth, Belle, Elmer and Delia, twins, Charles and Minerva. 
James Duncan and his sons were in the main, farmers. He was one of the 
old line Whigs of Putnam County, Indiana, and became a Republican 
upon the organization of that party. His .sous were all patriots during the 
Rebellion and three of them rendered active service in the army. He 
passed away in 1885 in North Salem and is buried at Maysville, Indiana. 

Lew Wallace Duncan, second child of our subject, wasborn near 
North Salem, Indiana, June 22, 1861. His mother was a daughter of 
Zachariah Bailey, who was born in Kentucky in 1812 and was married to 
Eliza Frame. The father was a son of William Bailey, who was born 
March 6, 1784, and who married Margaret Green, born in 1790. Their 
children were; Lucretia, born in i8ro, married Hiram Mitchell, and spent 
her life in Indiana; Zachariah, born January 5, 1812, and died in Topeka, 



I^O HISTOKV Ol" AI.I.KN AND 

Kansas, July 7, iSSg; John T. . born Dec. 14, 1.S13, and died at Augusta, 
Kansas, and Chas. \V., born January 24. 1816. \Villiani Bailey died about 
1S16, and his widow married Moses Vice, four years his wile's junior. The 
children of the latter union were: Mahala, Winey, Sallie Ann, Moses. 
Alafair and Xancy G. Matilda J. Zachariah Bailey reared his fsniily in 
Indiana and in Johnson and Butler counties, Kansa>. His twelve children 
were: John W. ; killed at Winchester, \'irjj;inia; .Mary E. who married our 
subject and died in lola, Kansas, January 25, 1893, was born April 14, 
1S41; Sallie Ann (Bailey) Welch, born August 2, 1843, died at Lawrence, 
Kansas, September 11. 1S70; William F. , born August 24, 1845, served 
three years in the iith Indiana Volunteers during the Rebellion, resides in 
Topeka: Asbury H., born Augu.st 27, 1847, resides in Topeka: James M., 
born March 25, 1850, lives in Topeka, was married to Emma Clark and 
has a son Arthur; Lucretia M., deceased, married Chris Pickerell and left 
children: Hattie Fellows of Griswold, Iowa, and George. Lorenzo A. Bai- 
ley, of Colorado Springs, married Mary McCartney. He was Ijorn June 21. 
[854. Matilda J. (Bailey) Nordine, born November 3, 1856, has two sons 
and resides in Topeka; Zachariah C. Bailey, deceased, born May 17, 1859, 
was married to Florence Hart and left six children in Oklahoma; Eliza 
Charlotte (Bailey) Simcock, born Jatiuary 20, 1862, resides in Topeka and 
has four children, and Phebe Alice, who died single. L. W. Duncan of 
this sketch, was reared in Allen County, educated at the Kansas State 
Normal school, taught school for a time, made abstracts of title two years 
in Allen County, was with a surveying party on the resurvey of the Utah 
Central Raihvay in the spring of 1890, spent the fall of the same year on 
the flax inspection force of the Chicago Board of Trade and in August 1891, 
joined the Lewis Publishing Company, of Chicago, and was in their em- 
ploy in various parts of the United States for nine years. In igoo he 
engaged in the business of publishing histories. June 22, 1887. he was 
married to Annie M., a daughter of Benjamin and Fredrica (Zeigler) 
Keyser. Maryland settlers who came into Allen County in 1881. Mr. and 
Mrs. Duncan's children are: Edna L.. born May 25, 188S; Alfa I., born 
Mav 29, 1889: Lue W., born July 14, 1890, and Clifford Morrill, born Nov. 
8. i894- 

September 20, 1893, James P. Duncan married Mrs. Margaret Swear- 
ingen, widow of the late well known old soldier, Joseph Swearingen, of 
lola. The latter left two children. Fuller Swearingen, who served in the 
2oth Kansas in the Philippine Insurrection, and Miss Josie Swearingen. 



JOHN W. EDWARDS, the well known farmer and speculator of La- 
Harpe, Allen County, came into Allen County, permanently April 23. 
1879. His native place is Kendall County, Illinois, where his birth oc- 
ctirred March 2, 1845. Thomas Edward, his father, was a Welchinan. 
born near Liverpool in 181 2, and receiived what was then termed a liberal 




y<t^u A^ c^{/-^^^^ ^y^^. 




tA^<2_.^:?^c, -w -^-<^-e^-< 



WDonsoN C()rN'rH':s, ka.nsas. 131 

L-chicatiou. ile spent several years in tlie mercantile business in Liver- 
pool and came to the United .States in 1842 in search of a patch of ground 
that he could call his own. Passing through Chicago when it was scarcely a 
village and not being satisfied with the wet low land where that city now 
stands, he wandered forty miles farther west and selected 160 acres of land 
near Oswego, Kendall County, Illinois, paying $1. 25 per acre. He was 
married to Susan Miller in 1842 and they lived on the Oswego farm forty- 
four years, until the death of Mrs. Ivdwards in 1886, when he moved to 
Allen County, Kansas. Here he resided with his son, J. W. Edwards, 
until his death, which occurred August 12, i8gi. Their children are: 
Sarah, wife of Er Park, of Allen County, Kansas; John W., Mary J., wIkj 
married James Andrews, of Plainfield, Illinois; Evan T. , deceased; Melissa, 
wife of R. L. Mauley, of Tola, and .Melinil.i, wife of Riley Beach, of Big 
.Springs, Colorado. 

Our subject grew up on the Illinois homestead and was schooled in a 
country school located on his father's farm. Afterward at Clark Seminary, 
Aurora, Illinois, and in Bryant & Stralton's Business College, Chicago. 

He started in business as a bookkeeper in a plumbing establishment in 
Chicago, and later became a clerk in Smith Bros, wholesale house in that 
city. He returned to his father's farm .some time later and remained a 
farmer in the vicinity some five years. He went into the butcher business 
in Oswego, Illinois and followed it with reasonable success six years. In 
the spring of 1879 he moved with his family lo Allen County, Kansas and 
settled on and improved his piesent farm east of Lallarpe. His success as 
a farmer and stock dealer in Allen County has netted him a neat profit. 
His farm acreage has materially increased and his investments in other 
lines have shown him to be a man of j;ood business judgment. In 189S he 
became intere.sted in lo\a real estate and has owned and platted three ad- 
ditions and is interested in the fourth, east of town on the Jeffries 
tract. 

Mr. Edwards was married at Sandwich, Illinois, June 29, 1870, to Alice, 
a daughter of John Pearce, an Ohio settler. The children of this marriage 
are: Arthur W., who married Sarah Lawler; Luther P., who married Nel- 
lie Walton; Clarence O,, who married Jennie Walton, now deceased, and 
Roy C, who is single and still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are raising 
their grandson Vernon Jvdvvards. Mr. lidwards has been trusteeand record- 
ing steward since the organization of the M. Iv church at Lallarpe. 



1 



SAAC S. COE — The subject of this review is one of the characters in the 
.settlement and development of Allen County, where he has maintained 
his residence for a third of a century, and is the Republican postmaster of 
LaHarpe. He arrived in the county June 28, 1868, and has led a varied 

life of farming, trading, breeding, and the like, and his home has been 



maintained either in Marniatou or Elm townships during all these years. 

The record of Isaac S. Coe is not a brief one. His life spans a mighty 
space of time — a record breaking era — and to undertake to present in detail 
his successes and reverses and the innumerable incidents which have oc- 
curred to influence his life is a task not the province of this article to accom- 
plish. To note such events as serve as milestones in his career and to present 
such facts of family history as are necessaiy to identify the American race of 
Goes is all that is coiitemplated and attempted herein. 

Isaac vS. Coe was born Augu.st i6, 1822, in the township of Hemp- 
stead, Rockland County. New York. He was a son of Samuel I. and Mary 
(Conklin) Coe, both natives of that County, who were the parents of twelve 
children, viz.: Ann, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha, George S., Mary, Samuel 
S., John S., Charlotte, Harriet, Isaac S., and J esse S., all of whom mar- 
ried and reared families e.Kcept Charlotte. In January 1827, the mother 
died and fifteen years later the father was removed unto the beyond. 

Our suljject resided with his married si.sters during his boyhood and, at 
times, worked with their husbands at their business as "roust-about" in a store 
or what not, and was deprived in a large measure of the youthful privilege of 
obtaining a good school training. At fifteen years of a^e, having tried 
various occupations and w-ith no special liking for any of them, his father 
put him to trade w-ith the firm of Gale, Wood & Hughes, New York 
City, and he was later bound to John C. Moore, a carpenter and builder, 
with whom he became a skilled workman. His promise of the pittance of 
twenty-five dollars per year for five years, the term for which he was bound, 
not being forthcoming, and suffering the further neglect of poor clothing 
and insuilicient food, he terminated the agreement by summarily quitting 
his master. His father then gave him the remainder of his time and he 
engaged with the great cab and coach maker of Newark, New Jersey, 
Gilbert and Van Derwurken. Wood & Hughes were his next employers 
and with this important firm he remained many months. Work growing 
scarce he went back to his old home near Haverstraw, New York, and set 
up his first independent business — at wagon-making — on the Nj-ack turn- 
pike. This .shop he opened in 1S40 and an era of prosperity opened up for 
the young mechanic. In the spring of 1S41 he married Sarah E. Fclter, of 
Bergen County, New Jersey, a daughter of an Englishman, Alexander 
Felter. Selling his .shop and business Mr. Coe engaged in improving a 
new home nearby and following market gardening and poultry raising for 
the New York market. In ten years he had accumulated a few hundred 
dollars; and, with his family, emigrated to DuPage County, Illinois. In 
the town of Fullersburg he associated himself with his brother, Jolin S. 
Coe, a fine blacksmith, and the two built up an immense business. It was 
.soon necessary to enlarge their shop and many men were required to do 
their work instead of two. In August, 1S54, his wife died and our subject 
sold his business and, after exploring Minnesota somewhat he settled at 
Faribault and set up business. Again he found things to his hand and 
prospered for the two years he occupied the shop. Selling out he took a 
claim near town and undertook to farm. This venture was disastrous and 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I33 

lie spent much of his accumulations before he could stop the drift. In 1859 
he left Minnesota with the remnant of his family and in June, 1859, stopped 
at vSyracuse, Missouri. He bought the Overland Stag^e Company's shops 
and immediately stepped into a large business. He prospered there and 
remained at the helm of a growing business till the war cloud of the Re- 
bellion lowered upon him and forced his retirement. 

The period of the Civil war now being on Mr. Coe's first service 
rendered was for the telegraph company, repairing their line from Syra- 
cuse to Springfield, Missouri This was a trying and dangerous job and 
was accomplished b}' himself and an assistant. This completed he was 
ordered to take down and coil the wire from Jefferson City to Boonville 
which he did without injury from the enemy and on October 4th, 1861, he 
enlisted in the Sigel Scouts under Captain William Smallwood and was 
appointed 2nd sergeant. He was detached on the 15th and made Gen, 
Sigel's chief scout. In this capacity he rendered much valuable service to 
the Federal commanders, Lane and Lyons, in Missouri, and experienced 
man}' hardships and privations incident to this peculiar branch of service. 
Being under the orders of General Osterhaus and once chafing under a 
stretch of idleness he asked for some duty and was ordered to report to 
Captain Phil Sheridan. Sheridan appointed him to be inspector of mills 
for a radius of twenty miles: to learn their condition, their capacity, needed 
repairs and the amount of grain in store. Coe's last service as a scout was 
about Clinton, Missouri, in the interest of the ist Iowa cavalry and as an 
independent scout. August 13, i852, he enlisted in the 33rd Missouri in- 
fantry, commanded b)- Clinton B. Fiske. He was appointed drill-master of 
the awkward squad and later made head quartermaster-sergeant for Adjutant 
Halloway and was still later promoted to sergeant major of the regiment. 
He was promoted in the spring of 1863 to 2nd Lieutenant of Company C 
and after the battle of Helena was raised to ist lieutenant for gallant and 
conspicuous service as gunner. He was ordered to the command of Com- 
pany I of the 33rd regiment and remained in that position till near the end 
of the war. In the regular .service Mr. Coe was in the following battles 
and expeditions: Yazoo Pass, Helena, Ark.; White River Expedition, Mis- 
sissippi Expedition, storming of Ft. De Russy, La. ; destruction of Ft. 
Rollins, battle of Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Old River Lake, West Ten- 
nessee Expedition, battle of Tupelo, Nashville, and march to East Port, 
Mississippi, where he was detached by General McArthur to organize the 
ambulance corps of the western division. With all his equipment and 
paraphernalia in readiness, in three days he was ordered to Vicksburg to 
reorganize the corps there, but finding no purveyor there he was ordered to 
take his command to New Orleans, where it was fully organized and taken- 
on to Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay. In pursuance of orders he finally 
found his command in front of Ft. Spanish in time to take care of the first 
wounded man from the field. At the clo.se of the incidents around Ft. 
Blakely the hospital corps was ordered to Selma, Alabama, and there, our 
subject established his headquarters. His final orders were to turn over 
certain property to the proper officer at Selma and still other property at 



r34 >risToKv of allrx axd 

X'icksburg to tlic purveyor of the department and report at Benton Barracks 
to be mustered out. 

Returninji lionie to Syracuse, Missouri, sick, he recuperated some 
time before engaging again in civil pursuits. He repaired his property, 
run down by destructive usage by the military forces, and undertook to re- 
build and re-establish himself in his old home. In 1868 he dispo.>-ed of his 
Missouri interests and became a settler on the prairies of Allen County, 
Kansas. 

Mr. Coe has been four times married and is now a widower. His first 
marriage occurred before he was twenty years of age, as has been stated, 
and the children of this union were: vSarah P,, Mary A., Arlena B. , Ann, 
Jesse and Harriet E. In September, 1855, Mr. Coe married Mrs. Mary 
(Knapp) Bell, from whom he separated in .Minnesota. In the year 1866 
lie married Xannie B. Tease, of Syracuse, Missouri, who died in 1S6S. In 
1S72 he married Mary Miller. She lived something more than ten years 
and again left him a widower. As a result of this sad incident Mr. Coe 
sold all his effects and spent some time on the road selling electric belts, 
medicines, notions and was engaged in this vocation when the election of 
1896 occurred. With the assurance of there being a change in the post- 
mastership at LaHarpe. Allen County, he became a petitioner for the office 
and brought such influence to bear upon the department as to secure his 
appointment in April, 1897. He took the office the ist of May following. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Coe has ever been a Republican. Since 
1856 when that organization placed its first candidate in the field for presi- 
dent he has espoused the party principles and has modestlj- given its candi- 
date his support. 



ASKPH H. WRIGHT, Assessor of the City of lola, and for many 
years buyer and shipper of stock, was born in Ashtabula county, 
Ohio, December 15, 1840. His father, Ralph K. Wright, was a Conneaut 
township farmer, who was reared, lived and died in Ashtabula county, was 
born in Massachusetts September 5, 1803, and at the age of three years was 
brought to the Western Reserve. He was a son of Ralph Wright who 
opened out a farm in Conneaut township and died upon it about 1856 at 
the age of seventy-eight years. He was prosperous, thoroughly repre- 
sentative, a Free Soiler and then an Abolitioni.st. He married a Miss 
King and six of their eleven children lived to rear families: Ralph K., 
Abel K., Frank K., Sophia, wife of Seymour Stephens; Mary, wife of 
Conover Conover and Caroline who married Charles Simons, of Fairfield. 
Ohio. 

Ralph King Wright was a thorough-going farmer who was born in 
Connecticut in 1808 and died in 1870. He married Ann Griswold and 
their children were: Harriet A., whose second husband was Edward 
Brooks. .She resides in Conneaut, Ohio; Aseph Eugene; Josephine, wife of 



WOODSON* COUNTIPIS. KAXSAS. I3:; 

Luther Riplev, ol Detroit, Michigan; Armeua, of Detroit, is the wife of 
John Randall; Florence, of Conneaut, Ohio, is the wife of Lester Griswold; 
Vina, of Conneaut, Ohio, married Forest Wellman; Electa, of Ashtabula, 
Ohio, wife of Alonzo Randall. 

A. E. Wright secured a country school education and remained with 
the old home till twenty -three years of age. He earned his first money, as 
a youth, driving an ox team at thirty cents a day. He began life inde- 
pendently as a farmer, but was soon attracted to the Pennsylvania oil 
fields and spent a few j-ears there with profit. In 1862 he went to Huron 
county, Ohio, where he devoted himself to the farm and stock till his 
removal to Kansas. In 1871 he came to Allen county and made per- 
manent settlement on a farm in Elm township. Some years later he located 
in lola and engaged in the grocery business on the "Simpson corner,'" 
where the New York Store now stands. He was an lola merchant nine 
years and was succeeded, in 1887, by Port brothers. 

Mr. Wright engaged in the buying and shipping of stock some ten 
years ago. He has billed out many thousand head of both cattle and hogs 
and his face is a familiar one to the buyers and packers of Kansas City. 

Notwithstanding Mr. Wright has been busy he has taken time to help 
in the political battles of Allen county. He was elected Trustee of Elm 
township and served three years and served in the same capacity in lola 
township four years. He was elected Assessor of lola in 1889 for a term 
of two years. His frequent re-elections are a sufficient guaranty of 
the efficiency of his public service and only once has he suffered defeat at 
the polls. He is one of the staunch Republicans of the county and. 
whether in success or defeat, he is always a Republican. 

December 26, 1866, Mr. Wright was married in Ripley township, 
Huron county, Ohio, to Tacy P. Green, a daughter of William A. and 
Adah (Kebby) Green, who came into Ohio from Rhode Island. The 
Green children are; Eliza Green, Susan, George, Mary, Harrison, Tacy, 
Whitford and Rilla. Mr. and Mrs. Wright's, surviving children aie: 
Adah A. and Blanche Wright. Two sons, Herbert and Ralph, are dead. 



T AZILLIAM MERCHANT, of Wise, Allen county, whose residence 
" " in Allen county for the past thirty years has been mutually bene- 
ficial to the county and to himself and whose citizenship and patriotism is 
of a high and commendable order, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, 
October 9, 1825. His father was William Merchant who accompanied his 
widowed mother into Highland county, that state in 18 13. Berkley 
county, Virginia, was their native heath and there our subject's father was 
born in 1800. He was married in Fayette county in 1822 to Elizabeth 
Smith, a daughter of Isaac Smith who also went to Highland county from 
Berkley county, Virginia. Soon after his arrival in Ohio William Mer- 
chant the first was l^ound to a blacksmith in Greenfield and onlv became a 



136 HISTORV OF AI.LEX AND 

farmer after many years spent at his tracte. He became one of the sub- 
stantial men of his community, was public spirited, and influential and was 
an "old side Methodist." His father, Abraham Merchant, belonged to 
one of the old families of the "Dominion" State. His origin and that of 
his paternal ancestors is not a matter of tangible record. 

Our subject's maternal ancestors were the Bulls of Virginia. Their 
history dates back to Colonial days and theirs were some of the Patriots 
who crossed blades with the British in the days of "seventy-six." 

Elizabeth Merchant died in 1893 at the age of eighty eight years. 
Her children were: Isaac, William, John, of Chicago, 111.; Jonah, of 
IvCesburg, Ohio; Abraham, who died in California in the service of his 
country; Xaham, deceased, was a soldier in California; Sarah, decea.sed. 
who married Jacob Kaylor, Rebecca, who became the wife of Hugh 
Snyder, and Nancy, who resides in Jay county, Indiana, is the widow of 
Charles Fishback. 

William Merchant, our subject, was schooled in the log cabin school 
houses of Ohio and grew up on the farm. July ly, 1.S49, he married 
Sarah, a daughter of John Breakfield, whose family was also from Berkley 
county, Virginia. Mrs. Merchant was born in Fayette county, Ohio, 
February 28, 1828. In 1850 Mr. Merchant left his father's place and took 
possession of a tract of his own purchase. This he cultivated till 1870 
when he was induced to dispose of it and become a resident of Kansas. 
For twenty years he devoted himself to intelligent cultivation and manage- 
ment of his Ohio farm and his experience and his accumulations placed 
him in an advantage when located upon his Allen county farm. He pur- 
chased on Deer Creek the John Martin tract of 160 acres and out of his 
earnings both before and since 1870 he has added five other quarters mak- 
ing a total of 960 acres. His is at once a farm and a ranch for Deer Creek 
bottom excels in the production of grain while the prairies and hill land 
furnish fine range acce.ssible to the waters of the creek. 

The patriotism of the Merchants is noteworthy and unbounded. 
Wherever their country calls there they respond, even with their lives. 
During the Civil war William Merchant volunteered for the defense of 
Ohio and was one of the Morgan pursuers. Two of his brothers enlisted 
in the volunteer service and thus the cause of the Union was upheld and 
the loyalty of the Merchants demonstrated. In politics, as in war, our 
subject has been on the right side. 'His ancestors were Whigs and he cast 
his maiden vote for Gen. Taylor, and for Gen. Scott, the last two Whig 
candidates for the presidency. He was a Fremont man in 1856, a Lincoln 
man in 1860-4 3"<^^ ^ supporter of Grant, Hayes, Blaine, Harrison and 
McKinley. As for actively engaging in local political frays Mr. Merchant 
never does. His moral attitude leads him to the support of municipal 
candidates who stand for principle instead of spoils. His whole life is one 
long Christian example and moral lesson. He became a Christian in early 
life and h.as done much religions work in the home and in the pulpit. He 
is a licensed preacher of the Methodist church and his talks are filled with 
earnestness and Christian zeal. Mr. and Mrs. Mecrhant's children are; 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I37 

EHza E., who married Bela Latham; Josephine, widow of Arthur Latham; 
Mary E. Merchant, and Nancy J., wife of William MofEt, of Folsom, New 
Mexico. 

William Merchant is one of the strong characters of Allen county. 
His distinguishing marks are his pronounced sinceiity, his unstinted 
honesty and his intense Christian simplicity. He is a man among men 
and a gentleman without taint or suspicion. 



T EVI LEE NORTHRUP.— The history of a community is largely 
-'— ' made up of the biography of a few individuals, and the history of 
Ida and Allen county can never be written without including also the 
record of L. L. Northrup, one of the pioneers of the county, and from the 
date of his arrival until the day of his death one of the largest factors in its 
business. 

L. L. Northrup was a son of Lewis Northrup, a brick mason, and of Eliz- 
abeth Lathrop, and was born in Geneseo county, New York, April 12, 18 18. 
There were three other sons. Rev. G. S., who died at Geneva, Kansas; 
Ezra L. , who died at Rippon, Wisconsin, and Charles Northrup whose 
whereabouts have been unknown since the period of the Civil War. 

When but two years of age, by the death of his mother, the family 
home was broken up and Levi L. Northrup was taken into the household 
of an uncle at Elmira, New York, by whom he was brought up. His 
schooling was only such as the very indifferent common .schools of that 
day afforded and his education was, therefore, limited. 

As he approached manhood he was put to learn the woolen manu- 
facturing tiade, and in 1840 he had saved enough out of his wages to be 
able to engage in the business on his own account, which he did at 
Albion, New York. His business prospered and the young factor seemed 
fairly started on the road to wealth when, in iS.t6, his factory was burned 
and there was little left of the accumulation of six years of work and 
care. 

Nothing daunted, however, the young man set to work again and it 
was not long till he was again engaged in the manufacture of woolen ' 
goods this time at LaF'ayette, Indiana. But the same misfortune overtook 
him here as at Albion for he had not long been in operation when fire 
swept away his plant, and his resources, for the second time, were ser- 
iously crippled. A third time he set up in the same business, the last time 
at Thorntown, Indiana, where an uncle became his partner and where, for 
"some years a thriving business was done and the foundation of a modest 
fortune started. 

In 1S5S, at the earnest solicitation of the Union Settlement Company, 
which had bought a large body of land in Allen county, Kansas, and had 
laid out the town of Geneva, he disposed of his interest in the 



1 33 



HISTORY OF ,\LLEN AND 



woolen mill aiul removed to this state, bringing, as his entire capital, a 
smiU stock of general merchandise and a saw-mill; the whole representing 
an investment of, perhaps, three thousand dollars. He located first at 
Geneva, but whtrn the town of lola was laid out, a year later, he estab- 
lished a branch store there. Three years later, the expectation of its 
founders, that Geneva would grow into a city, not having been realized, 
Mr. Northrup removed with his family to lola, and in 1869 he concentrated 
all his business interests in the latter town which ever afterward remained 
his home. 

Up to this time he had been engaged only in general merchandising, 
but he now established a bank, the first in lola, which soon became one of 
the most impoi'tant factors in the business life of the town. One of the 
few Kansas banks that lived through the panic of '73, it became steadilx- 
more strongly entrenched in popular favor, until its large business war- 
ra ited its re-organization in igoo as a National Bank. As the "Northrup 
Nitional Bank" it has become known and is generally recognized as one of 
tae leiding financial institutions of southeastern Kansas. It may be of in- 
terest to note in this connection, that the small two-story building originally 
erected for the u.se of the bank, and which was famed at the time as the fin- 
esf building south of Ottawa, has now given way to the Masonic Temple, 
the new bank having transferred its business to the splendid structure that 
bears its name. 

In 1877 Mr. Northrup practically turned the business of his store over 
to his oldest son, O. P. Northrup, who managed it with marked ability 
and success until failing health, which resulted in his death, in 1892, com- 
pelled him to give up his place to his younger brothers, in whose name the 
store has ever since been conducted. 

After relinquishing the management of the store, Mr. Northrup gave 
his entire attention to the bank, to the lumber business which he had 
established about the same time, and to large landed and other outside 
interests, continuing, until overtaken by his last illness, with marvelous 
industry and activity, to look after the least details of a great and always 
growing business. 

Mr. Northrup was married at Thorntown, Indiina, February 27, 
1849, to Mary E. Pearce, a daughter of John S. and Jane (Code)Pearce who 
came to the United States from Rngland and of whose seven children four 
survive: Thos. E. and John A. Pearce, farmers near Edgerton, Kansas, 
and Mrs. C. E. DeVore, of Bushuell, Illinois, and Mrs. Northrup. Of 
the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Northrup but three survive: 
Frank Altes, Lewis Lee and Delmer Pearce Northrup, for many years 
actively and successfully engaged in business in lola. 

Although all his life an unremitting and indefatigable worker, Mr. 
Northrup enjoyed robust health until about three years before his death 
when he suffered an attack of lagrippe. He was present at his desk, not- 
withstanding his enfeebled condition, until a few months before his taking- 
away, March 3, 1896. Two days later, when the funeral services were 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 139 

held, business in lola \va- suspended while the friends of a lifetime joined 
in paying tribute to his memory. 

The foregoing is a brief sketch of a busy, eventful and successful 
life. It is the story of a boy born in poverty and obscurity, orphaned in infan- 
cy, thrown upon the world with meager education and with no capital but 
his own brains and skill and industry and character, fighting his way step 
by step until he had amassed a large if not a great fortune. And this 
fortune was not made by any sudden or unworked for stroke of "luck," or 
by some fortunate speculation It was accumulated slowly and as the result 
of economy, good judgment and tireless industry. 

Mr. Northrup was intensely loyal to his town and was always counted 
upon as one of the large contributors to any enterprise th it was to be 
undertaken for the advancement of public interests. In the early days 
when it was a question whether the Missouri Pacific railroad shotild come 
to lola or go to a rival town, it was Mr. Northrup's open purse and active 
effort that did more than anything else to secure the prize for lola. He 
was especially earnest and effective in his efforts to have lola's natural gas 
field developed and utilized. In short he gave freely in. time, labor and 
money, to any and every undertaking that promised to advance the interest 
of lola. 

Next to the town in general, the Presbyterian Church, of which he 
was a lifelong member, was the most especial object of Mr. Northrup's 
interest and care. In the beginning, when the struggling church was 
occupying a little building on the corner of State and West streets, Mr. 
Northrup personally did the janitor work and attended to all the little 
"chores" that had to be done to keep the house in order and have it 
ready for the various meetings. And for a great many years, indeed from 
the time of its organization until his death, he bore one-fourth of the entire 
expense of maintaining the church. He was a teacher in the Sundav 
School for nearly a full quarter of a century, and as long as his health 
permitted he was a regular attendant upon all of the services of the church. 
The faith in the Christian religion, which prompted all these good works, 
was the faith'of a little child, unquestioning and undoubting, and it abided 
with him to the very end, so that he leaned upon it as upon a staff when 
he walked down, without fear and without repining, into the valley of the 
shadow. 

Like most men who devote themselves successfully to business pur- 
suits, Mr. Northrup cared little for society. In his own home, however, 
he was most hospitable to his guests and loving and indulgent to his wife 
and children. Always and in all things a modest man, there was never 
any display, any vain show of wealth; but the family home was alwaj'S the 
home of comfort and contentinent and true happiness. 

The large businesses which Mr. Northrup so firmly established, — 
merchandizing, banking and lumber, — have been most successfully con- 
tinued by his sons, who have shown in the management of their large 
estate many of the qualities of sagacity, industry, public spirit and un- 
swerving honesty that were shown by their father in its accumulation. So 



r40 HISTORY or ALLKX .VXD 

tliat ill the considerable city which lola has now become, "tlie Northrups" 
occupy the same relative position as their father occupied before them in 
the then modest village, and the family name stands now, as it has stood 
in lola and in Allen countj' for more than forty years, as the synonym for 
business enterprise, success and integrity. 



FREDERICK KETTLE— Among the practical, progressive farmers of 
Carlyle township, Allen County, is numbered Mr. Kettle, who was 
born in England, April 22, 1859, a son of Robert and Jane (Roland) 
Kettle. The mother died at the age of thirty-five years, but the father 
came to America in 1873, and is now living near lola, at the age of seven- 
ty-six years. 

Mr. Kettle, of this review, was reared in the land of his birth and at 
the early age of twelve years entered the employ of the Britania Rolling 
Mills, with which he was connected until the time of his emigration to 
America. These were the largest rolling mills in England, utilizing one 
thousand tons of metal each week. As his educational privileges were 
limited he attended night schools. In the year 1881 he crossed the Atlan- 
tic and has since been a resident of Allen County, Kansas. When he ar- 
rived here he knew nothing of farming, having never seen an ear of corn 
growing, or had hold of a cultivator handle up to that lime; but he possessed 
a resolute .spirit and readily adapted hiiiiself to his new surroundings. 

In 1882 Mr. Kettle was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Menzer, a 
native of Germany and a daughter of Conrad Menzer, a resident of lola, 
who came to Kansas when Mrs. Kettle was only twelve years of age. After 
his marriage Mr. Kettle began farming on his own account, renting land. 
He lived upon two rented farms, making his home on each for about nine 
years. He then purchased about eighty acres of land on Deer Creek and 
the rich, productive soil enables him to raise from fii^y to seventy-five 
bushels of corn per acre. One of the first things he learned m connection 
with his life in the new world was always to have the best of everything, 
and this he has loUovved in equipping his farm with buildings and machinery. 
His has been an industrious and active life and through his well directed 
efforts he has acquired a competence. He raises cattle and hogs, to 
which he feeds his corn, and in the sale ot his stock he has acquired a good 
income. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kettle have been born seven children, namely: 
Libbie and Lillie, twins; Agnes J., Hattie H., Florence M. , George F. . 
and Robert R. They have been trained to habits of indu.stry and are now 
very helpful to their parents. In his political views Mr. Kettle is a Re- 
])ublican, and while he is thoroughly conversant with the issues of the day 
he has never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his entire time 
and attention to his business affairs. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. T41 

SHERMAN G. ROGERS— Sherman G. Rogers is actively and prom- 
inently connected with educational interests in Allen County, his ability 
in the line of his chosen calling having won him prestige as an instructor. 
His life cannot fail to prove of interest, showing as it does the opportunities 
that lie before men of determined purpose, for at the early age of eleven 
years he started out to earn his own living and has since been depending 
entirely upon his own resources. Such a history is an exemplification of 
the lines of the poet who wrote: 

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate 
Can circumvent or hinder or control 
The firm resolve of a determined soul. 
Gifts count for little; will alone is great: 
All things give way before it, soon or late." 
Professor Rogers was born in Adams County, Indiana, on the 23rd of 
January, ib68, his parents being James and Margaret (Pitts) Rogers, both 
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, The mother died in 1875, leaving 
four children, of whom Mr. Rogers of this review is the youngest. He was 
then eleven years of age. In 1879 his father removed to Kansas, purchas- 
ing a farm in Osage township, Allen County, but was not long permitted to 
enjoy his new home, his death occurring about three months later. Sher- 
man G. Rogers was then left an orphan, and, receiving no patrimony, he 
was forced to provide for his own livelihood. Having acquired his pre- 
liminary education in the common schools he desired to further perfect his 
knowledge and to this end he pursued a two years' course in the Fort 
Scott Normal, meeting the expenses of his normal study with money which 
he bad himself earned. Subsequently he learned telegraphy at Moran and 
secured a position on the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, but after a year he 
resigned in order to enter upon educational labor. He successfully passed 
the teachers' examination, received his certificate and secured a school in 
the district where he had acquired his education when a boy. For seven 
years he has been a representative of the profession, being employed in 
various parts of Allen County, and is now for the fourth term acting as 
teacher in the East Liberty school district. As a student he was thorough, 
fully mastering the branches to which he gave his consideration, and now 
he has the faculty of imparting clearly and concisely the knowledge he has 
acquired. At the present time he is devoting his leisure to the study of 
medicine, under the direction of Dr. 0'Fl}'ng, of Elsmore, perusing the 
medical text books after his day's work in the school room is ended. His 
strong force of character, laudable ambition and resolute purpose will en- 
able him to achieve success in whatever line of life he decides to cast his 
lot. He is also engaged in teaching several classes in vocal music, pos- 
sessing considerable talent in that direction. He is now serving as choris- 
ter and Sunday School superintendent in the Methodist Episcopal church 
in I£lsmore. It would be almost tautological in this connection to say that 
he is a man of broad mind and progressive spirit, for these have been 
shadowed forth between the lines of this review-. Although he is a young 



142 HISTORY OF ALLKN ANT/ 

man, his career is one worthj- of emulation, being characterized by marked 

fidelity tn duty, hy earnest purpose, by manly principles and sincere 
actions. 



LYMAN F. PALMER, lola's reliable marble and granite cutter, came 
into Kansas in 1893 and located for business in Burlington. He re- 
mained at that point until October, 1S95, when he saw the future of the 
gas belt and established himself in lola. He was formerly from Chicago, 
Illinois. 



T~r^ Ci. CillJiERT — Northeast Allen County, or what is now Osage town- 
-•— * ship, is fortunate in the possession of many of our splendid citizens. 
In the year i860 when the first settlers stole across the border and laid the 
foundation for homes and thereby established civilization within its Vjorders 
Edward G. Gilbert was of the few. He entered the southwest quarter of 
section twenty, township twenty-three, range twenty-one, built a cabin and 
returned to his home in Ohio. He reached there on election day and 
helped elect Lincoln the first time. The events leading up to the Civil 
war transpired rapidly and its outbreak caused him to delay his return to 
Kansas. He remained in Ohio, participated in some of the events which 
ended the war and then turned his face toward his new home. He took 
possession of his cabin near the river, furnished it with a peg bedstead, 
box cupboard and antiquated chairs and began a bachelor's existence. The 
work of reducing nature with art which he began then he has continued 
with such success and such profit as to place him among the large land- 
owners of the countj-. 

All that is left of the settlers of 1865 is Mr. Gilbert, the Tucker broth- 
ers and Charlie Ross. The Brays and the Manns, pioneers, are all gone, and 
the prairie which Mr. Gilbert predicted would all be settled in his time and 
which many thought could not happen, is all settled, improved and turned 
into one vast field and meadow. 

Mr. Gilbert came to Kansas from Champaign County, Ohio, He was 
born in Harrison County, West Virginia, December 9, 1832, and is a farm- 
er's son. Amos Gilbert, his father, was born in Buck's County, Pennsyl- 
vania, of Quaker parents. In about 1850 the latter came into Ohio where 
he died in 1854, at fifty years of age. His wife, who was Phebe Wilson, 
died in 1852. Of their seven children six survive, viz.: Edward G., Mary, 
wife of George Millice, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio; Ann E. , widow of N. B. 
Johnson, of Champaign, County, Ohio; Benjamin B., of Champaign, 
County, Ohio; George and Amos G., also of that county; Nellie, deceased, 
\vife of G. M. Nelson. 

Edward G. Gilbert acquired only a limited education. He began life 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. t43 

without other than his physical resources and earned his first raonej- as a 
wage worker on a farm. He was induced to come to Kansas by an old ac- 
quaintance, Mr. Black, who settled in Anderson County in 1858, and he 
made the trip by rail to St. Louis, by boat to Kansas City, and by stage 
(for $11) to Mound City, Kansas. 

August 19, 1866 Mary E. Tucker became Mrs. Gilbert and took pos- 
session of his residence (a log cabin 14x16) and all its furnishings. Mrs. 
Gilbert was a daughter of Robert Tucker who came to Kansas from Missouri 
but was a Virginian by birth. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert's children are: Mary, wife of Rev. Geo. W. Trout, 
of Rochester, New York; Millie J., wife of Hiram Huffman, Robert E.,\vho 
married L. Harvey; Connej', deceased and Cora Gilbert. 

Mr. Gilbert went into the armv toward the close of the war. He enlist- 
ed in Company F. , 134th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, one hundred day service, 
under General Butler's command. He contracted lung fever and was 
warned that he would die if he entered the army but it did not deter him. 

Mr. Gilbert has been one of the most influential men in the politics of 
Allen County. He cast his first vote for General Scott and his next for 
Fremont and on down the Republican ticket to November 6, 1900. Thir- 
teen times has he presented himself at the ballot box to make his choice 
for President and only four times has he failed of his man. Mr. Gilbert 
po.ssesses, in a high degree, the confidence of his fellow countrymen which 
fact, alone, is worth a life time of active industry and personal sacrifice. 



TAMES WHALLON ROLL, successful farmer and highly respected citi- 
*-' zen of Carlyle tovvnship, Allen County, was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, near Glendile, December 28, 1836. His father, Samuel V. Roll, 
w^as one of the pioneers of Hamilton County, going there in 1805 from 
Mendham, Morris Count\-, New Jersej'. The latter was born at Mendham 
in 1788 and died in September, 1885. In early life he was a saddle and 
harness maker. His father, Abram Roll, bought a large tract of land near 
Cincinnati(the 25th ward of that city)and opened a farm there. Samuel V. 
Roll lode over across the mountains into Ohio on horseback and was offered 
the square in Cincinnati where the Gait house stands, for his horse. 
Samuel V. Roll was a gentleman well known as a pioneer, took a conspicu- 
ous part in the affairs of his locality and the second Abolition ballot cast in 
Springfield township, Hamilton County, was cast by him. He married 
Nancy A. Whallon, daughter of James Whallon, a large farmer and a 
Jerseyman. Their marriage resulted in the following issue; Samuel, de- 
ceased; James W. ; Lavina, deceased: Nanc}', deceased; John, deceased and 
Benjamin, of Mt. Healthj', Ohio. 

James W. Roll grew up at Glendale and was educated in College Hill, 
Ohio. He taught in the public schools five j'ears and then entered the 
Cincinnati Business College as one of the professors. Following this con- 



j , HISTORY OF ALLEN ANO 

iiectioii he purchased a half interest in a business college in Zanesville, 
Ohio, and remained with it eight years. Returning to his first love, the 
farm, he remained four years on the old home and then disposed of his per- 
sonal effects and came west. Kansas, and especially Allen Countj', was 
absolutely strange to him when he entered it. He purchased a farm on the 
north line of the county and began its successful cultivation and manage- 
ment. Another farm, adjoining, in Anderson Couity, he own.s, and alto- 
gether his time and energies are in full demand. 

Mr. Roll was first married in Ohio, January i6, 1861, to Anna McCor- 
mick. She died in March two years latt-r. In October, 1865, he was 
married to Sarah J., a sister of Hon. James Neal, of Hamilton, Ohio. She 
died before their first anniversary and July 7, 1867, he was united in mar- 
riage with Susan M. Weatherhead, of Ogdensburg, New York, a daughter 
of Robert Weatherhead, a government officer. Robert H. Weatherhead, a 
leading druggist of Cincinnati, and Judson Weatherhead, of Chicago, 
are brothers of Mrs. Roll and Mrs. Fannie Church, of Chicago, is her 
sister. 

Mr. Roll's children are Samuel A. Roll, with the Electric Appliance 
Company of Chicago: Bessie, wife of Arthur Paine, of Chicago; Lillie M., 
head book-keeper fortheE. A. Armtrong ManufacturingCompany, of Chica- 
go and Robert Roll, of Allen County. 

The politics of the Rolls has been permanent and unchangeable. 
Our subject cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and fol- 
lowed the Republican party on down to and including its late candidate. 
William McKinlev. 



GliORGE HARRIS, one of the practical and prosperous farmers of 
Deer Creek township, came to Allen County, Kansas, in company with 
his fellow countrymen, Busley and Robertshaw, in 1880, and purchased a 
tract of eighty acres on the broad and untamed prairie in section seventeen, 
township twenty-four, range twenty. He was a young Englishman with 
scant means and he came to the State to provide himself, with his labor 
and his native tenacity, a home for his growing family. He had worked 
as a farm hand in Livingston County, New York, and, at $25 a month, he 
had laid by sufficient means to pay for his land and to begin the initial 
work of its cultivation and improvement. His first cottage, 16x12, fur- 
ni.shed him with a home for eight years and in that time his prosperity 
enibled him to erect a comfortable and more commodious residence, a mod- 
est barn, and to add forty acres to his original farm. 

Before coming to Kansas Mr. Harris resided in New York seven j'ears, 
coming there from Lincolnshire, England, where he was born July 31, 1849. 
His father, Thos. Harris, was a farmer and William and our subject were 
his only heirs. William Harris resides in England still. Thos. Harris 
niatritfl .Susanna Hilton, who, after the death of her husband married 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I45 

James Hill and reared a second family of four children. George Harris 
attended school at Keebj% lyincolnshire. In his youth he learned farming 
by actual experience and worked, also, in the iron mines. 

November 13, 1874, Mr. Harris was married at Rochester, New York, 
to Elizabeth Lyttle, a daughter of Joseph Lyttle, a settler from the north of 
Irelar.d. Mr. and Mrs .Harris' children are: Alice, wife of Geo. M. L,ove, 
of Kansas City, Missouri; Mary, Clara, Hilton and Nellie. 

Mr. Harris became a voter in 1880. He cast his first presidential ballot 
for the Republican candidate of that year, but four years later he supported 
Mr. Cleveland. For ten years he has been identified with the Republicans 
and his support of their candidate in 1896 and in 1900 was both earnest and 
enthusiastic. 



\ A iTILLIAM T. STOUT, who is recognized as one of the substantial 
' '^ of the moderate farmers of Deer Creek township, has been a 
citizen of Allen county twenty years. He came to the county in 1880 and 
first settled upon section 5, township 24, range 20. For seventeen years 
prioi his home was in Ijnn county, Missouri, to which county he went 
from Bond county, Illinois, the year following the close of the Civil war. 

Mr. Stout was born in Bond county, Illinois, November 29, 1844. His 
father, Harvey E. Stout, was born in the state of Illinois and was a son of 
Thomas Stout, whose life was passed as a miller and later as a hotel man 
in Greenville, that state. He was of German stock and went into Illinois 
as a pioneer. His son Harvey was born in 1820. The latter was reared 
in Illinois, learned the carpenter trade, married Minerva Young, a 
daughter of William Young, and went into Wappelo county, Iowa, some 
years before the Rebellion. He died in 1S65 and is buried at Agency 
City. Wappelo county. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1846. 
William Stout is her sole surviving heir. Another son, Richard E. Stout, 
died in Denver, Colorado, in 1894, leaving a son, William. 

Our subject spent his youth upon the farm. The war came on before 
he reached his majority and he enlisten in 1861 in Companj' E, 22nd 
Illinois, Capt. McAdams and Cols. Dougherty and Hart, in their order, 
and finally Col. Svvanrick. He was mustered in at Cairo, Illinois, and left 
the command for a scout after Jeff. Thompson whose men he met at Bert- 
rand, Missouri. In the spring of 1862 his regiment was sent across 
Missouri to New Madrid to aid in cutting off the rebels. It went down to 
Fort Pillow and was ordered back to Shiloh to re-enforce Grant. The 
siege of Corinth followed and the 22nd was in it. Comp.^ny E was camped 
near a railroad bridge, guarding this thoroughfare during a portion of its 
stay around Corinth. Following Corinth came Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. Mr. Stout was in east Ten- 
nessee when his term of enlistment expired and he re-enlisted in the 42hd 
Illinois and furloughed home for thirty days. He joined his regiment — a 



14' 



HISTORY (IF ALI.KN AND 



\y,irt ot tlie 4ch corps — just before the Atlanta cainpaisii and, folkwinii 
close upon the heels of that, his regiment was a part of the army at Scho- 
field tiiat whipped Hood at Nashville. The 42nd was ordered from east 
Tennessee and had something to do with the demoralization of the Con- 
federate troops in that region. Later it was ordered into Texas and was 
stationed at Port Lavaca, that state, when Mr. Stout was discharged in the 
winter of 1865. 

Notwithstanding the long, continuous and dangerous sen-ice Mr. 
Stout was exposed to he esc.iped serious injury, He was only one of many 
thousand who accomplished this feat but this fact does not detract from the 
value of his service nor from the spirit of patriotism which prompted it. 
At all times he fulfilled the requirements of a soldier — he obeyed orders. 

On September 19, 1867. Mr. Stout was married to Sarah E. Warren, a 
daughter of Thomas C. Warren, from Kentucky. Their children are: 
Mary, wife of Thomas Wollard; James W. Stout, who married Lily 
Wagner; Ola J., widow of Carl Stickney; Ida, who married Thomas L. . 
Dickerson; Thomas Stout, who married Mattie Trout; Nora E., wife of 
Ralph Sprague; Lucy Elva, wife of Thomas Jackson; George A., Albert, 
I^eonard, Raymond and Quincey, all residing in Allen county. 

William T. Stout came to Kansas with a large family and little means 
Fifty dollars covered his cash possessions, and with body fdled with 
industry he rented land and went to work. He bought a forty acre tract 
in Osage township the second year, or arranged to buy it, and later on 
another fort}- (railroad land) and his start uphill dated from that time. He 
.lold his Osage possessions and located in his present place in 18S3. As a 
citizen he is regarded with confidence by his neighbors and fellow towns- 
men and in politics, in his somewhat limited sphere, he stands for the 
principles of Republicanism as expounded in the Philadelphia platform 
of 1900. 



JOHN D. CHRISTI.\N is one of the leading farmers of Carlyle town- 
ship, and one of the reliable citizens of Allen county, on whom have 
been conferred positions of public trust and responsibility. He was born in 
Parke county, Indiana, October 15, 1847, his parents being Robert and 
Mary M. (Gilkerson) Christian, both of whom were natives of Augusta 
county, \'i:ginia. In 1835 they removed to Indiana, locating on the old 
homestead farm which is now in pos.session of their .sons, John D. and 
Gilbert M., who are the only survivors in their family of five children. 
The latter resides in Rockville, Indiana, The father died in 1S55, at the 
age of sixty-three years, and the mother's death occurred in 1898, when 
she had attained the advanced age of eighty-two years. 

John D. Christian spent his boyhood days on the home farm and was 
educated in the common schools. He remained with his parents until he 
had attained his majority, when with the restless spirit of energy he 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



147 



resolved to seek a business opening in the west, and made his way to 
Kansas in 1869. He found employment on a farm in Carlyle township, 
Allen county, and later was employed to herd cattle, following that pursuit 
until he had saved some money, when he entered into a partnership for the 
purpose of buying and selling cattlt- on his own account. He was thus 
engaged for eight years, during which time he had acquired through his 
own exertions a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase a tract of prairie 
land. This he at once began to improve and from time to time he has 
added to his first purchase, until now within the boundaries of his farm is 
comprised a tract ot two hundred and forty acres, situated in Carlyle town- 
ship, eight miles north of lola. His place is well improved with modern 
accessories and conveniences, although not an improvement had been made 
upon the farm when it came into his po.ssession. The entire place is a 
monument to his enterprise and the buildings stand in material evidence of 
his energy and diligence. 

Mr. Christian was married in 1S74 to Miss Rachel Dennis, but after 
three years of married life she was called to her final rest. In i<SS7 Mr. 
Christian wedded Miss Rosa McGurk, a native of Pennsylvania, and a 
daughter of Daniel and Sophia McGurk, who came to Kansas in 1880. 
Mr. and Mrs. Christian have six children: Maggie, Robert, John, Cary, 
Edwin and Bernice. 

In connection with his only brother Mr. Christian now owns the old 
home farm in Parke county, Indiana, cora])rising one hundred acres of 
valuable land adjoining Rockville, which is one of the wealthiest towns of 
its size in the Hoosier state. For eighteen years he filled the office of 
treasurer of Carlyle township, and in 189S he was nominated and elected 
by a large majority on the Republican ticket for the office of county com- 
missioner, which he has filled with satisfaction to his constituents. Over 
his official record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and 
his has been &n honorable and upright career, in which he has gained and 
retained the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in 
contact. 



T~^R. CICERO S. MARTIN, oi Allen county, whose father, the late 
-■ — ' John Martin, of Deer Creek township, was one of the first settlers on 
the creek, was born in Lawrence county, Arkansas,. February 20, 1857. 
The following June his father landed in Allen county and made his final 
stop in the "Martin and Wise" neighborhood on the 14th of the month. 
The homestead which the head of the family entered is now the property 
of "Uncle Billy" Merchant, but the place upon which he spent the last 
years of his active life and where he died is the property of his son, Rufus 
S. Martin, at the forks of north and south Deer Creek. 

John Martin was born in North Carolina June 14, 1815. His father, 
John Martin, was a state senator of the old "Tar Heel State" and a wealthy 



I4S HISTORY OF ALLKK AND 

])lanter. The latter married -j Miss Jones and eight of their sixteen child- 
ren were sons. Aman^ them were Benjamin, Hjnry, William, Hartlett, 
Vancy, Alexander and John. The last named married Sarah Sale who 
died in Allen county in 1S93, while her husband died October 5, 18S2. 
This pioneer couple left North Carolina about 1855 for the west and 
stopped a year or more in Lawrence county, Arkansas. He drove into 
Allen county with his thirteen in family, with an ox team and, along 
with the Days and Wi.ses, was the first permanent settler in his locality. 
He engaged at once in the stock business and in the cultivation of the soil 
and was one of the successful and comfortably well-off men of his time. 
He took a rather conspicuous part in public affairs, was a soldier in the 
Kansas militia, as were some of his .sons, and was called out when the 
Rebels were threatening our frontier. In politics he was a Democrat, as a 
citizen he was among the best and as a man he was loyal to his family and 
to his friends. 

The children of this pioneer, our subject's father, were William 
Vancy. of Wheatland, Oregon; Jane, wife of Nelson Hall, of Blackburn, 
Indian Territory; John J., a soldier in the gth Kansas, who died in 1S70; 
Hiram S. , who died in 1876; Adeline, deceased, wife of Patrick Moynihan; 
.Susan, wife of James Goodnight, of Dale county, Missouri; James H., 
deceased; Martha A., wife of R. E. Strickler; Rufus and Dr. Cicero S. 

Dr. M artin spent his childhood and youth in the country on Deer 
creek. He attended school under Prof. David Smith at Carlyle and chose 
medicine as his calling at about eighteen years of age. He was a student 
in the office of Dr. J. Morgan at Neosho Falls, following which he attemled 
the Mi.ssouri Medical College at St. Louis two years, graduating March 
4, 1S82. His practice began at once in his home neighborhood and has 
continued there with success. 

January 13, 18S7, he was married to Emma L. Benjamin, a daughter 
of John B. Benjamin, of Hamilton, Missouri. The only child of Dr. and 
Mrs. Martin, Cicero Ray, died August 8th, 1899, at nearly nine years 
of age. 



T TIRAM LIIvURANCE. — A well known and prominent representative 
-•--'- of agricultural interests in Allen county, Hiram Lieurance, well 
de.serves mention in this volume devoted to recording the history of the 
leading men of Allen county. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on 
the 8th of March, 1829, a .son of Elijah and Cynthia (Wright) Lieurance. 
The father was a native of North Carolina and when about twenty years 
of age removed to the Buckej-e state, where he met and married Miss 
Wright, an Ohio lady. In 1836 they started westward and became identi- 
fied with the farming interests of Illinois, the father continuing the work 
of the fields throughout his active business career. His wife died in 1844 
at the age of forty-two years, and surviving her twenty-four years Mr. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I49 

Lieurance departed this life in 1868, at the age of seventy-eight. -They 
were the parents of twelve children, but three of whom are living, the 
si.ster.s being Cynthia, a resident of Nebraska, and Mary L. Jane Reynolds, 
living in Anderson county, Kansas. 

Hiram Lieurance, the only surviving son of the family, accompanied 
his parents on their removal to Illinois when he was but seven years of 
age. There he was reared and in the common school: he acquired his 
eciucation, pursuing his studies through the winter season, while in the 
summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm, remaining with 
his father until he was twenty years of age. He then went to Wisconsin 
where he worked as a farm hand by the month for two years, returning to 
Illinois on the expiration of that period. In a short time, however, he 
again left home, his destination being the Pacific coast. It was in 1850 
that he crossed the plains to California, reaching the Golden state after a 
trip of four months. There he began mining, following that pursuit for 
three years with good success, and with the large sum of money which he 
had acquired he returned to the east, making the journey b}' the water 
route. He sailed to San Juan, crossed the Isthmus to Graytown, and by 
way of the Nicaragua river reached the Atlantic ocean where he took 
passage on a vessel bound for New York. From that point he continued 
on his way as a passenger on the Hudson river boats, and on the great 
lakes proceeded to Chicago, reaching his home after forty days of travel. 

Soon afterward Mr. Lieurance was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
A. Vandiveer, a native of Illinois, in which state they resided until 186S, 
when they came to Kansas, locating in Allen count/ upon the farm where 
they have since resided. Mr. Lieurance first secured a tract of eighty 
acies, but he has extended the boundaries of his place until it now com- 
prises three hundred and twenty acres. For some time he engaged in 
buying and shipping stock, but after a number of years he withdrew from 
that enterprise and now devotes his attention solely to the cultivation of 
his land. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lieurance has been blessed with four 
children, namely: Eliza, the wife of J. N. Fallis, who is living with her 
parents; Elvin T. ; Herbert Grant and Perry. All are married and reside 
near the homestead, either in Allen or Anderson counties. That Mr. 
Lieurance is a popular citizen in the community is indicated by the fact 
that in 1883 he was elected to the ofhce of county commissioner in his 
district, on the Democratic ticket, although the district was largely Repub- 
lican and his opponent was a strong candidate. He served in that capacitj- 
for three years and his course was one which showed that the confidence 
and trust reposed in him was well merited. Faithful to the duties of citi- 
zenship, he has given his support to measures and movements calculated 
to prove of public good and is justly numbered among the valued and 
influential residents of the community. 



150 H1.STOKY OK Al.I.KN AND 

I lEkRV STOTLHK, a leading and inthnjulial farmer of lola township, 
-•- Allen County, owns the old Bartels homestead in section eighteen, 
township twenty-five, range eighteen, upon which he has resided since 
iSSo. He came to Kansas from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where 
he was born in August, iJ^53, and took up his residence in Allen 
County. 

\fr. Stotler is a son of Emanuel Stotler, born in the same locality with 
his son, and a descendant of Pennsylvania German ancestry who came to 
that locality from over the mountains from the east. He was one of the 
tirst settlers of Penn township, Allegheny County, and was a soldier in our 
second war with Great Britain. He was several times married and reared a 
large family. Emanuel Stotler pa.ssed the greater part ol his life in the 
country about Allegheny and Pittsburg and cleared up a farm in Penn town- 
ship. Wagon making was also a part of his business. He was married to 
Barbara Stoner who occupies the old family home. 

Ivmanuel Stotler's children are: Sylvester Stotler, a prominent educat- 
or in his native county; Nancy Stotler; Elizabeth, decea.sed wife of David 
Shepherd; Fannie and Lillie, twins. The former married E. Gillooly, of 
Humboldt, Kansas, and the latter resides in the Pennsylvania home; F. P. 
Stotler, Rudolph, deceased, and John Stotler, of California. 

F. P. Stotler has pa.ssed his forty-seven years of life upon the farm. 
His first trip to Kansas was in the year 1879 and that year he passed with 
the family of E. Snively, one of his near neighbors. His busy life in this 
State has been passed as a farmer and raiser of stock. Of late years he has 
been engaged in blooded stock breeding and his Jersey cattle and his 
Durock hogs are the pride of the Onion Creek valley In this venture he 
had demonstrated that the breeding of graded stock, when intelligently fol- 
lowed, is a profitable business, even in Kansas. 

Mr. Stotler was married March 23, 1887, to Lena Van Sickle, a daugh- 
ter of B. D. Van Sickle, a former New Yorker but now of Hudson, Indian 
Territory. Mrs. Van Sickle was formerly Miss Merinda Latier. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stotler's children are; Frank E., Benjamin H., William \'an and 
Lillie Verl. 

In politics the early Stotlers were Whigs but when the Republican 
party was formed they entered its ranks and those after them have yielded 
allegiance to the same political faith. Perry Stotler has been one of the 
active Republicans of lola township. Although his township has a majori- 
ty adverse to his party he has been twice elected treasurer of it and is an 
efficient public official. (Since this sketch was written the subject of it has 
passed away, his death occurring March 2, 1901.) 



OHN B. HAYS, of Carlyle township, came into Allen County as a 

youth in the spring of 1861 from Madison County, Illinois. Be was born 

n St. Clair County, Illinois, April 4, 1849, and was a son of Thomas Jeff- 



J 



WOCIDSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I5I 

erson Hays, a native Kentuckian, born about 1814. The latter died in 1854. 
Zachariah Hays, oixr subject's grandfather, was born in Scotland and upon 
migrating to the United States, settled in Kentucky. He was one of the 
pioneers there and also to Illinois, in which State he died. He was a sol- 
dier of the war of the American Revolution, was a farmer in civil life and 
reared a family of seven sons, Norris, Zachariah, Elias, John, Thos. J., 
"Jack" and Andrew all of whom reared families in Kentucky and Illinois. 

Thos. J. Hays married Susan Ann Co.k, our subject's mother. She 
was a daughter of John B. Cox, a Scotchman, who was the father of six 
children and died in Madison County, Illinois. The children were: Eman- 
uel, We.sley, Susan, Ann, Phena, Nancy and Mary, all of whom had fami- 
lies. Susan Ann Hays was the mother of three children, viz: William A., 
of Miami County, Kansas; John B. and James, deceased. Thos. Hays, a 
half brother of our subject, resides in Jasper County, Missouri. 

John B. Hays really began life when he enlisted in the army. In the 
spring of 1862 he enlisted at lola in Company E, 9th cavalry, and mustered 
in at Leavenworth. He was with the supply-train escort from Ft. Scott 
south into Arkansas and the regiment was placed along the Missouri and 
Kansas and Territory lines to watch the frontier. They had some experi-" 
ence with the guerrilla, Quantrel, in this service. They got him into a 
house, burned the house down over him and yet he and a companion, got 
away, wounding a Federal major as they went. The third and last year 
of his service Mr. Hays spent in Arkansas and the Territory and was 
mustered out at Duvalls Bluff the "baby of the company." When mus- 
tered out he weighed, with all accoutrements, two pistols and one 
hundred cartridges, just one hundred pounds. He saw much hard and 
exhausting service and suffered from sickness and general physical de- 
bility, yet he forced himself on and came out of it all and was discharged 
with his regiment more of a wreck than a man. 

Since the war our subject has devoted him>elf to the farm. He has 
resided in Missouri, and in Miami and Allen counties, Kansas; has worked 
by the month and has farmed on his own account but not until 1889 did he 
settle down near Carl3'le upon his own farm. He was never married and, 
until his sight failed him, he took a warm personal interest in local public 
affairs. He is one of the well known Republicans of Carlyle and is de- 
scended from a long line of Whigs, Free Soilers and Republicans. His 
first presidential vote was cast for Grant in i86S and his last one for 
McKinley. 



T EWIS L. NORTHRUP is a native of lola, having been born June 
■*—' 23, 1864, in the old Northrup home now owned and occupied by 
Dr. A. J. Fulton. His family history has been already given in the sketch 
of his father, Levi L. Northrup. After concluding the course of studj- in 
the lola city schools he spent two years in the Ponghkeepsie Business 



152 niSTOKY OF ALLF.X AND 

College, where he received a thorough technical business education. 
Returning home he joined with his brothers, F. A. and D. P., in the 
propriet >rship of the dry-goods house which is still conducted under the 
firm name of Xorthrup Brothers. From the first, however, he gave but 
little attention to the dry-goods business his assistance being needed by his 
father in his bank and in looking after his numerous other outside inter- 
ests. It thus naturally came about that upon the death of his father Lewis 
L. , assumed the active management of the bank and of the general affairs 
of the e>tate, although the responsibility of these affairs is shared by his 
mother and his brothers. 

Mr. Xorthrup not only succeeded to the work his father had done in 
the management of the large estate of the family, but he inherited also his 
father's aptitude and liking for business, his public spirit and his pride in 
lola. The Xorthrup business is as large and dominating a factor in the 
city of lola as it was in the village of lola. The Xorthrup support of any 
public enterprise is as much relied upon, and is as generous and ready as 
it ever was. It has given to lola the finest business building yet erected 
here, and it has contributed with a lavish hand to every enterprise planned 
and carried out for the good of the public. 

It nearly always happens that the possessor of large wealth, particu- 
larly in a small town, is personally unpopular, but that rule does not hold 
good with "Lute" Xorthrup. His public spirit, his generosity, his un- 
selfish willingness to serve his friends and the public, his absolute honesty, 
are so well e.stablished that it is not too much to say that he holds not only 
the good will but the regard of the entire community. This is sufficiently 
attested by the fact that he has repeatedly been elected — often over his 
protest and never at his own suggestion — to various city offices, being at 
the present time the representative of his ward in the city council. 

Mr. Northrup was married October 25, 1894, to Miss Lettie Bruner. 
Three children have been born to them, of whom Roswell Bruner Xorthrup 
and Laverne Lee Xorthrup are now living. 



X A riLLIAM T. DAUGHTERS— One of the most important families 
^ " in eastern Allen County and admittedly useful and favorably known 
is that headed by the subject of this mention. Its founder came into the 
county in 1877 and located upon section 34, town 25, range 21, and, reared 
trained and educated his large family from there. He is an Indiana emi- 
grant, having come from Dearborn County, that State, where he was born 
.-Vugust 8, 1S34. He is a son of James Daughters who settled in Dearborn 
County in 1824, at a time when the woods were so thick and heavy that he 
was compelled to blaze his way from his home to the .settlements sixteen 
miles away. James Daughters died in Dearborn County in 1843 at the age 
of fifty-four years. He was born in Maryland in 1789 and was a sea cap- 
tain on the Chesapeake and Atlantic in his early life. He was a son of 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 53 

Hudson Daughters, bom and reared on th2 eastern shore oi Mar\laiid. 
The latter was a Revolutionary soldier and was of English stock. His sons 
were: Gilbert Daughters, who reared a family in Ripley Countj-, Indiana; 
Samuel Daughters, who spent his life in Maryland; Hiram Daughters, who 
reared a family in Mopport, La., Randolph Daughters, who left a family in 
Riple,v, County, Indiana, and James, father of our subject. 

James Daughters married Sarah, daughter of an Englishman, James 
Philips. Their children were: Kitturah, deceased, who married Joseph 
Collins and reared a family in Louisv-ille, Kentucky; James Daughters, 
died in California in 1879; Franklin Daughters, who died in Dearborn 
County, Indiana; Elizabeth, wife of N. H. Tuck, of Dearborn County, 
Indiana; Andrew P. Daughters, physician at Moores Hill, Indiana; William 
T. and Sarah R., wife of John Welch, of California. 

William T. Daughters came to manhood in the log cabin country of 
Indiana and his schooling was limited to about two months in the year. 
He became one of the sustainers of the family at an early age and there was 
no opportunity for mental drill after that. He went to work on the Ohio 
and Mississippi railroad in the shops at Cochran and later at Vincennes, 
Indiana, and learned the machinists trade. He became an engineer and 
pulled a train over all parts of the system for twenty years. He left the 
road in 1877 to come to Kansas. 

March i, 1858, Mr. Daughters was married to Elmira Heaton, daugh- 
ter of Eben Heaton, who went from Green County, New York, into Dear 
born County, Indiana in 1819. The latter was born August 20, 1797, 
and was a son of a farmer and married to Sarah Streeter, of New Jersey. 
She was born in May, 1801, and died, with her husband, in Dearborn 
County, Indiana. Their children were: Mary, deceased, married Reason 
Hines, William, deceased, married Eliza Dickinson; Thos. , deceased, mar- 
ried Jane Stage; Julia A., widow of Henry Gaston; Philip, deceased, 
married Elizabeth Graves of Ripley County, Indiana, Eben, deceased, 
whose wife was Jane Lamberson; Richard, deceased, married Mary Cole; 
Freeman Heaton, of Seymour, Indiana, is marrietl to Altha Hines; and 
Mrs. William T. Daughters. 

Mr. and Mrs. Daughters' children are: Rosalin, wife of L. A. Stafford, 
of Bourbon County, Kansas; Eben J., an attorney of Cripple Cieek, Colo- 
rado; Nelson, of Minnesota; Trena, wife of of L. A. Biebinger, of Des 
Moines, Iowa; Grant, a student in the Kansas City Medical College; 
Turpen A., rector at Colfax, Washington; Freeman R. , rector in Wallace, 
Idaho; Elmira, wife of Grant Lowe, of Bourbon County, Kansas; Britania, 
R., student in Nebraska University; Pearl, deceased; and Milo, a student 
in the University of Nebraska. 

One especially good feature in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Daughters is 
the spirit with which they have left nothing unturned to educate their chil- 
dren. Neither of them had the advantage of modern educational times and 
the}- have moved in the matter on the theor\- that an education is a resource 
that one can not be deprived of and that it would be worth more to their 
children than all things else. As fast as the children were competent they 



■54 



HI.STORV OF ALLEN AND 



engaged in teaching, and their parents look with pardonable pride, upon the 
fact that nine of them engaged in that useful and laudable calling. \\'hatis 
better still, they were not ordinary teachers but were among the most suc- 
cessful and intelligent of their county. The sons who are ministers are 
graduates of the Divinity School in Philadelphia and represent the Episco- 
pal denomination. 

Politics is something that has not disturbed Mr. Daughters greatly. 
His interest in elections is all that a citizen's should be but he has never 
seen any advantage to himself in spending his substance in the interest of 
local politicians. He is a Republican. 



JOHN N. SAPP — One of the leading farmers as well as early settlers, of 
the township of Marmaton is John N. Sapp. He entered the southeast 
quarter of section 5, town 25, range 21, in the "three mile strip," in 1S74, 
and has created out of it one of the productive and desirable farms in the 
township. Mr. Sapp came to Allen County from Knox Count)-, Illinois. 
He had gone there only three years before from Circleville, Ohio, in which 
county, Pickaway, he was born August 16, 1840. His father, James Sapp, 
a cooper by trade, carried on his business in Circleville and was succeeded to 
it by his son, George. He went intoOhioiu 1S62, when twenty years of age. 
He was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of John Sapp. 

James Sapp married Margaret McAlister, and both died at Circleville. 
Their children were: George Sapp; John Sapp; Caroline, wife of Joseph 
Redmond, of Louisville, Kentucky; William Sapp, of Cleveland, Ohio; 
Edson Sapp, of Circleville, and Mollie Sapp, of Louisville, Kentucky. 

John N. Sapp began his life at the tinner's bench. He was sixteen 
years old when he went to the trade in Circleville. He completed it and 
was working at it when the war came on. In August 1862 he enlisted in 
Company B, 1 14th Ohio Infantry, Col. John Cradlebaugh, and later on 
Col. Kelley. The first active service oi the regiment was at Chickasaw 
Bluffs from which point it continued south with Sherman's army to Young's 
Point and \'icksburg. Mr. Sapp participated in the battles of Raymond 
Big Black and the final capture of Vicksburg. He went with his regiment, 
then to Xew Orleans, at which place, and at Algiers, it was in camp some 
time, eventually embarking on a gulf steamer for Texas. The winter of 
1863 was passed in entrenchments at Indianola. Texas, and in the spring 
the command returned to New Orleans and was shipped up Red River to 
help Banks' army out of its difficulty. The latter was relieved at Alexan- 
dria and while this operation was in progress the river lowered and the 
fleet could not be gotten down. The obstacle was removed by the con- 
struction of a dam which gathered sufficient water to float the boats over 
the riffles and thereby get out of the enemy's stronghold. The trip back 
to Morganza Bend on the Mississippi River was under fire of Rebel 
batteries. The command rendezvoused at Morganza till the fall of 1864 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 151^ 

when it was ordered to Lake Pontchirtraiu where it too'c boat for Ft. 
Pickens, Fbjrida, and marched on to Pensacola where the work of con- 
structing a pier was done. The 1 14th marched back to Ft. Blakely and 
aided in its reduction. This last act cleared up the Alabama River and the 
Federal wounded were taken down from Selma. The regiment then re- 
turned to New Orleans and again went to Texas and was mustered out at 
Galveston in August 1865. Mr. Sapp was discharged in Columbus, 
Ohio. 

The war over Mr. Sapp located at Oneida, Illinois, where he engaged 
in the tin and stove business. He prospered there fairly well but the de- 
sire to go west became too strong to resist and he came to Allen County, 
Kan.sas, the year before stated. 

In Allen County Mr. Sapp's progress has been steadily upward. His 
accumulations show themselves in the increased acreage of his farm and in 
the substantial improvements to be found thereon. He owns a tract of 
400 acres well watered and well stocked. It lies on the east side of the 
Marmaton River and a large part of it was clearly visible from his home 
site when it was first located. 

Mr. Sapp was married in 1867 to Rebecca, a daughter of Andrew Cul- 
bertson, who came to the United States from County Tyrone, Ireland in 
1S48 and stopped first in Jersey City, Xew Jersey. Ha resided for a tiras 
at Galesburg, Illinois, and came to Allen County, Kansas, in i86g. He 
was the father of thirteen children, seven of whom survive: Elizabeth, Jane 
and William Culbert.son, Mrs. Margaret McGuire, Samuel Culbert.son and 
Mrs. Sapp, all residents of Allen County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sapp's children are: Laura, wife of Ray Smock; May 
and Ethel. 

Mr. Sapp's ancestors were Democrats. The issues of the Civil War 
made his father a Republican and he, himself, became a Republican and 
cast his first Presidential vote for Mr. Grant. He is a member of the 
Bronson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and a person of high standing 
in the confidence of his countymen. 



A LEXAXDER M. WRIGHT, President of the Board of Education of 
-^^^Moran and a self-made and prosperous farmer, of Marmaton township, 
first located in Allen County in 1876. He came from Pike County, 
Illinois, where he was born September 10, 1852. He was a son of Abiah 
Wright, a Pennsylvania!!, who went into Illinois early and settled a Pike 
County farm He became one of the well known and highly respected 
citizens of his county and died in 1884 at the age of seventy-five years. He 
married a Pennsylvania lady, Catharine Fisher, who died in 1S96, aged 
eighty-three years. Their children were: Elizabeth, wife of David Hester 
of Barton County, Missouri; Barbara, wife of Ed Bowers, of Pike County, 
Illinois; John Wright, of Pittsburg, Kansas; Bela Wright, of Barry, Illinois, 



156 HISTORY OF ALLKX AND 

John Wright, a prominent and prosperous fanner, of Carlyle township, 
Allen County, and Alexander M., our subject 

A. M. Wright was educated sparingly in the old log school house of 
Illinois during and after the war and at about eighteen years of age he 
abandoned the "academy" to begin life's real battles. Farming is what 
he undertook then and farming is what he has continued. He was married 
in Pike County, Illinois, October i, 1876, to Anna Blake. Jerre Blake, 
Mrs. Wright's father was an early resident of Pike County and went there 
from Maine. He married Almira West and was the husband of seven chil- 
dren. 

The first two years Mr. Wright passed in Allen County were spent 
north of lola on the Wizner place. His circumstances were most ordinary 
and it can be truthfully said that he was not far from poverty at times. To 
begin farming he bought a horse and borrowed another of his brother and 
his implements lie borrowed from his neighbors. He paid $2.50 for a chain 
harness. His first crop the grasshoppers took and his second one drowned 
out. The third year was a good season and he .started upgrade again. In 
the fall of '77 he bought a farm of sixty acres in the vicinity of Moran and 
January 14, 1878, he moved onto it. This he succeeded in pa\ing for, 
and in 1881 sold, and purchased in 18S3 the northwest quarter of section 
24, town 24, range 20, his present home. It was a piece of land that had 
been entered under a soldier's Indian war land warrant by King. There 
was nothing but the soil there when Alex Wright took possession. How 
well he has accounted for his time in the past seventeen years his farm will 
testif}'. Cattle and horses have supplemented the earnings of his plow and 
sickle and he has reached that point at which it is a pleasure to live. 

Mr. Wright's children are: Bela F. , a student in Emporia College, 
Edwin, a junior in the Moran high school; Mina, who is in the same class, 
and Eva, a student in the same schools. 

It is noticeable that Mr. Wright is interested in advanced education. 
He feels the need of it in his own case and since circumstances have so 
conspired to arrange matters favorably he is losing no opportunity to give 
his children these advantages. He has been a member of the Moran 
.school board three years and his elevation to the chairmanship of the body 
is a compliment to his warm personal interest in education. 



JOHN M. EVANS was one of the early settlers of Allen county. He 
was one of the leading spirits among a few pioneers who chose the 
broad and undulating prairies in the valley of the Neosho for their abiding 
place. In 1857 Thomas P. Killen, Dr. John W. Scott, Peter M. Carnine, 
Richard V. Ditmars and others from Johnson county, Indiana, formed a 
colony for the purpose of emigrating to Kansas and asked Mr. Evans to 
join them. He did so and in October, of that year, they came to the terri- 
tory in search of new homes. At the time of the removal Mr. Evans was 




/7^^-^^^ ^fe^-^^^ 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 157 

living ill Montgomery county, Indiana. Tliey came without any purpose 
other than to search out a location where hone.st tillers of the s.>il au-l 
earnest Christian people could establish themselves, build homes and plant 
the seed of a moral, intellectual and religious communitv. After traveling 
over the countiy for some time thej^ decided to locate on the high prairie 
north of Deer creek, which is njw the iieighbarho,)d of Carlyle. Each 
member of the colony selected a quarter section and held it as a claim until 
the land came into market. 

Mr. Evans c'no-ie the quarter section which is now the Allen county 
Poor Farm. With the assistance of the company he built a round log 
cabin on his claim. Carnine and Ditmars remained in the territory that 
winter and occupied this cabin, which was the first one built in the colony. 
Tile other members of the party returned to Indiana. On the 19th of 
A])ril, 1858, howevc-r, with his wife and three children, Mr, Evans started 
from Waveland, Indiana, for their new home on the Kansas plains. 
Thomas P. Killea, with his wife and two childien, started at the sanu time 
and traveled in company with them. The journey from Waveland to 
Terre Haute was made in wagons, by rail from Terre Haute to St. Louis, 
from the latter place to Kansas City by steamer, and from Kansas City to 
Allen county by wagon again, over rough prairie roads and across deep 
unbridged streams. They reached their new location on tlie loth of .Vlav, 
at lo o'clock in the evening. They all camped in Carnine's cabin that 
night and the next afternoon Mr. Evans removed into his own cabin and 
began housekeeping in true pioneer style. After supper was over and their 
beds made ready on the floor Mr. Evans read a chapter in the Bible and 
they knelt together in prayer the first time since leaving their home in 
Indiana. It was a happy, restful hour and never had they so full\- realized 
the true meaning of the poet's lines, "Be it ever so humble, there's no place 
like home," as they did that night. .Samuel C. Richards, a nephew of 
Mr. Evans, and Miss Sarah P. Newell, a sister of Mrs. Evans, came with 
them and made their home with them for some time. The colony at this 
tini'j numbered thirteen, eight adults and five children. The adults were 
all members of the Presbyterian church and all Republicans. Other mem- 
bers of the colony arrived latei. These settlers proceeded to the business 
for which they came west at once. The work of supplementing nature 
with art was carried on as rapidly as their individual capabilities permitted 
and in a few years a house of worship and a primitive school house were 
a part of their achievements. 

In those days Lawrence was the headquarters of the mail service for 
tliat section. Cofachique, an Indian trading post, eight miles south of the 
new colony, was the nearest post-office. "Little Billy," the mail carrier, 
0.1 his Indian pony, made the trip once a week from Lawrence, by way of 
Hyatt, Fort Scott and Humboldt to Cofachi({ue, returning by the same 
route. It was the only road into the Deer Creek settlement from the north 
and was a long circuitous route. The new colonists decided to shorten it 
and about the middle of July, Mr. Evans, Harmon Scott, T. P. Killen and 
P. M. Carnine surveyed and staked off the route from their new location 



t^H IIISTOKY OK ALI.HX AMI 

north to~ Hv'att, a distance of sixteen miles, and thus shortened the way 
many miles. The next week Mr. Carnine mounted on Mr. Evans' little 
Kentucky mare, Becky, rode to Hyatt, met the mail carrier and piloted 
him oviL-r the new route to Cofadiiiiue. In passing tliou)j;h the new loc.i- 
tion they stopped at Mr. Ivvans' cabin f )r water and "Little Billy" said to 
Mrs. Evans, "I'm miu;hty ,ii;lad you folks moved out here and made this 
new road, for it will save me so much hard ridinj^. " 

Mr. Evans was reared a Whig. He was a strong' opponent of slavery 
uul came to Kansas to help make this a free state. When the war began 
lie was anxious to join the regim.-ut with his neighbors, but his wife being 
a cripple at that time it was impossible foi him to leave home. It was 
necessary, especially on the frontier, that some measure of protection be 
accorded to the settlements from inroads of the Confederates and the in- 
cursions of thieves and marauders, and this protection was extended 
through the Home Guard. It was made up largely of m;;n who were near 
the age of exeaiptiou from military duty and without the physical retjuire- 
ments lor the arduous campaigning of the regular service, but with the 
same courageou-; and patriotic spirit which actuited uu-n of all arms. Mr. 
Ii)vans belonged to the state militia and endured some hard service. Dur- 
ing the Price raid he and a comrade were detailed as scouts on the western 
border of Missouri and were in the saddle from three o'clock in the morning 
until six in the afternoon without a mouthful of food. In politics Mr. 
Evans was a pronounced Republic m witli no political aspiration-; what- 
ever, but in the fall of 1S63, at the urgent request of his friends he accepted 
the nomination and was elected state representative. During the session 
he became one of the substantial and useful members of the house. The 
Carney fraud was perpetrated during that session and Mr. Evans was a 
bitter opponent to the nii)vement to elect Carney to the United State senate 
a year before the proper time, which was done because Carney was sure of 
his election by that body. 

Mr. Evans was not less prominent in spiritual than in temporal mat- 
ters. He was an elder in the Carlyle and Geneva' churches, was one of the 
committee who organized the Presbyterian churches of lola, Neosho Falls 
and Geneva, and his mind was not only a directing force in their organiza- 
tion, but his sub-tantial aid was fully as potent a factor in their mainten- 
ance during their early years. 

In 1865 Mr. Evans' health failed and he had to give up farm work. 
He had been engaged in the dry goods business before coming to Kansas 
and when L. L. Northrup offered him a partnersiiip in his store in Geneva 
he accepted it and moved there in 1866. Geneva had been located and 
settled by an eastern colony who came there with the intention of founding 
an institution of learning at that place. The citizens of the surrounding 
country united with them and subscribed liberally for the erection of a 
building for that purpose. In 1867 Mr. Evans, acting on the advice of the 
Rev. G. S. Northrup, Rev. Austin Warner and Rev. E. K. Lynn, took the 
contract and erected the Geneva Academy building with his own money, 
and thus established aii institution which they all thought would be per- 



WOOIJSON COUNTIRS, KANSAS. 159 

iiiaiient, but they were disapnoiiite 1. Rev. Northrup died just as the work 
was be.nun. lu less than three \ears Mr. ICvans died, and throu:.^h mis 
management after his death the enterprise pnjved a failure and the l)LiiIding 
now stands as a monument to the earnest efforts of tho-ie noble, Cliristiaii 
pioneers. 

Mr. Evans was born in Owen county, Indiana, May 9, 1825. His 
father, Jesse ICvans, was born in East Tennessee in ly.Sy. He emigrated 
to Pulaski county, Kentucky, and in 1S12 married Esther M. Newell. In 
1S18 he removed to Owen countj% Indiana, living in Owen and Mont 
goniery counties until 1868 when he came to Kansas, dying in lola in 
1875. His wife died in Wavelatid, Indiana, in 1854. His father, Andrew 
Evans, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, re- 
mov^ed to Tennes.see and there married Elizabeth P'ain, of French descent. 
The early .settlers i>{ that stale were fretjuently attacked by the Indians and 
at such times would take refuge in the block-houses. During one of these 
attacks Mr. Evans' supply of lead gave out and his wife melted their 
pewter plates and moulded bullets which he shot through the portholes, 
thus keeping the Indians from setting fire to the block-house. In so doing 
he saved their lives with their dinner plates. Mr. Evans afterward moved 
to Kentucky and later to Owen county, Indiana, where he died in 1842. 
His wife died in the same state in 1846. His ancestors were Welsh people 
who settled in the south at an early date. Since then, by intermarriage, 
the blood of the Scotch, Irish and French have been introduced into its 
own strain. Esther M., the wife of Jesse Evans, was Scotch-Irish. She 
was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, iti 1783. Their children were: 
Elizabeth F., wife of Reziii Richards; Samuel N.; Jane M., wife of Milam 
Kno.x; Andrew H.; Margaret IC. . wife of Andrew Coucliman; Harriet N., 
wife of Samuel vSteele, and John M., the subject of this review. 

John M. Evans was married in Owen county, Indiana, May i, 1851, 
to Jane Newell, the eldest daughter of William Tell Newell, who was born 
in Pulaski county, Kentucky, in 1803, and in 1830 went to Owen county, 
Indiana. He married Paulina Fain, a daughter of David Fain, of French 
descent and who>e wife was of English lineage, David Fain was a colonel 
in the second war with England. He was a man of fine taste, high aspira- 
tions and a devoted Christian. He died in Oa'ch county, Indiana, in 
1857, and his wife died in Monroe county, Iowa, in 1874. 

The children of William and Paulina Newell were Jane N., wife of 
John M. Evans: Harriette A., wdio died in girlhood: Mary li. , wife of 
Martin Giltner; Samuel A.; Sarah P., wife of William Crawford; Martha 
E. , wife of Whitfield Woods; Clarinda A., wife of Marcus Hennion; Hester 
L., who died in infancy; William M.; David F'. ; Alice J., wife of William 
Hay. Mr. Newell died in 1851 in Monroe county, Iowa, and his wife died 
in Albia, Iowa, in 1891 His father, Samuel Newell, was of Scotch-Irish 
descent, was born in West Virginia in 1754 and in 1780 he married Jean 
Montgomery, a descendant of the poet Montgomery. She was born in 
West Virginia in 1764 and was of Scotch descent. .Samuel Newell was a 
colonel of the Tennessee cavalry in the Revolutionary war and saw much 



r6o HISTORY OF ALI.KN AND 

of the arduous service incident to the war. He was in the battle of King'K 
Mountain, aided in winning the victories of Cowpens and Yorktown, being, 
present at the surrender of Cornwallis. At the battle of King's Mountain 
he was wounded in the hip and rode all day without stopping to dress his 
wound or take any food. Before starting out in the morning he had 
roasted a large sweet potato, which he carried in his knapsack for lunch, 
but when he stopped to eat his potato he found it saturated with his own 
blo<jd which had dripped into his knapsack from his wound, but he was 
s J hungry he ate it as it was. After the war Colonel Newell located in 
Kentucky and served two terms in the state legislature. He was a talented 
man, a devoted Christian and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He 
was bitterly opposed to slavery and for this reason left Kentucky and 
removed to Indiana in 1S37, there remaining until his death in 1S41. His 
wife died in the Hoosier state in 1S43. 

John M. Evans married Jane Newell in Owen county, Indiana, May 
I, 1851. She was born in Morgan county, Indiana, October 14, 1S32. 
Their children were: Edwin Prescott; Mary Irene, wile of Ji)hn D. 
Knowlton; William Jesse; Samuel Henry; Harvey Tell; Annetta Estella. 
wife of David R. Beatty; and Louemma. Edwin Prescott Evans died 
August 3, 1 85S, soon after the arrival of the family in Kansas and his 
funeral .sermon was the first sermon preached in Carlyle colony and his 
grave the first one made in Carlyle cemetery, the Rev. G. S. Northrup, of 
Geneva, Kansas, officiating at the funeral. In July, 1870, the children of 
Mr. Evans had the smallpox in the worst form, yet with careful nursing 
they all recovered, but the over-exertion and mental anxiety of the father 
for the children was too much for the weakened condition of Mr. Evans. 
As soon as he felt they were safe, he sank down, weary and exhausted, and 
death came to him in Geneva, Kansas, August 22, 1870, in the forty-sixth 
year of his age. He passed away honored and respected by all who knew him. 



ROBISON LENT, a well known farmer within the vicinity ol Bronson, 
and who resides upon the northeast quarter of section 28, township 
24, range 21, Allen county, is a settler from Vernon county, Missouri. 
His birth occurred in Madison county, Indiana, March 5, 1854. His 
father, Chester Lent, was a farmer and was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. 
He left the east in early life and made his way westward through the states 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and into Vernon county, Missouri, where he 
died in 1858. He married Susanna Frasier who died in Allen county, 
Kansas, in 1883 at the age of sixty-seven years. Their children were: 
Elizabeth, wife of Richard Parmenter, of Fort Scott, Kansas; Nancy 
J , wife of Alexander Mayfield, of Bourbon county, Kansas; Maria, de- 
cea.sed, wife of W. W. Findlay, of Bourbon county Kansas; Robi.«on 
Lent, and Lewis Lent, who died in Bates county, Missouri, leaving a 
family. 

Robison Lent grew up, from seven years of age, in Kansas. The 



■WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS, il5t 

iamily came into Bourbon county in 1861 and remained there tvfenty years. 
He received a country school education and was thrown upon his own 
resources at about sixteen years of age. He was a wage earner by the 
month for some time but farmed rented land as his first independent 
venture. Grain raising, with some stock as supplementary, is his forte 
and he is regarded as one of the reliable, trustworthy and liberal citizens 
of Marmaton township. 

Mr. Lent was married in Bourbon county, Kansa.s, November i, 1877, 
to Miss Belle West, a daughter of James R. West, a well-to-do and well 
known farmer of that county. The latter was a pioneer to Bourbon county 
and located there from the state of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Lent's chil- 
dren are James Chester, Charles Walter, Bert Robison, Estella Jane, 
Thomas Homer, Orlie Belle, John Franklin and Clyde Leroy Lent. 

The Lent political history is somewhat mixed. Our subject's father 
•was a Democrat but his posterity are republican. A son, John W. Lent, 
serv^ed in the 5th Kansas, Company K, and died after two years of service 
•during the war of the Rebellion. Robison Lent has no interest in politics 
beyond that of a citizen. A membership on the East Maple Grove school 
toard comprises his record of office-holding. 



y'^ORWIN B. KEITH, one of the old settlers of Marmaton township and 
^-^ a citizen who has performed an honorable part in the development of 
Moran and vicinity, came into Allen count}- in 1869 and located in Ida. 
He a.ssociated himself with Cyrus M. Simpson and engaged in mercantile 
pursuits. For ten years he was a citizen of the county seat and when he 
removed it was to locate in GilfiUan, Bourbon count}-, where his chief 
interests were for another ten years. His interests in Gilfillan were with 
the famous stone quarries there and while that notable place was the scene 
of his business activities his residence was, in the main, in Fort Scott. 

In November 1892 Mr. Keith came to Moran. He opened a grain, 
coal and feed store and has since conducted that business. The ownership 
of a good farm in addition to the possession of an established business in 
Moran identifies him with the affairs of Allen countj-, permanently. Before 
coming to Kansas Mr. Keith resided in Ogle count}^ Illinois. He went 
into that county with his parents in 1853 from his birthplace, Huron 
county, Ohio. He grew up in Ogle county and obtained his education 
in the country schools and in Rock River .Seminary at Mount Morris, 
Illinois. His father was Carlos Keith and his grandfather was Caleb 
Keith, both of whom were natives of the state of Vermont and went into 
Ohio as pioneers. The Keith ancestry were among the first settlers of New 
England. One of them. Rev. Jas. Keith, was the first minister of the 
town of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He married Susanna D. Edson. 

Carlos Keith, father of the subject of this review, died in lola in 1872 
at the age of sev-enty-five years. His marriage with Elvira Pond was pro- 



l62 HISTORY OF ALLKX AND 

duclive of five cliildren of whom Corwiii B. is the fifth. The latter was 
liorii July 24, 1841. The other survivors are Carl P. Keith, of Morau, and 
Hlvira, wife of J. T. Rhoades, of Vermont. 

August 2, 1862, Corwin B. Keith enlisted in Company A, Second 
Illinois Cavalry and was detailed as Gen. Ord's escort and latter as Gen. 
Logan's escort. He was in the battles of Tallehachie, Willow Springs and 
the regiment took part in the campaign about \'icksburg and was after- 
ward sent across into Louisiana and up Red River. Mr. Keith was dis- 
charged from the service in March 1863. He took up farming upon his 
return to Ogle county, Illinois, and remained in that vocation till his 
departure for Kansas. 

Mr. Keith was married first at Mound City, Kansas, in 1870 to Miss 
Ella Morse, who died in 1874. December 19, 1899, he was again married 
to Mary Businger, of Bowlusville, Ohio. No children resulted from either 
marriage. 

The Keiths of the olden time were Whigs. Those of the present are 
Republicans. For his political conviction Corwin B. is especially known 
and while he is not in the active work of the party he is at all times 
interested in its success. 



TOHX C. WOODIN. — Connected with the industrial interests of Allen 
" county, Mr. Woodin is engaged in the manufacture of brooms in lola, 
having followed this enterpri; e during the greater part of an active business 
career. He was born in Painesville, Ohio, December 29, 1844. his parents 
being J. H. and Rachel (Hitchcock) Woodin. The father was born in 
New Haven, Connecticut, iti 181 1, and in that city spent his boyhood 
days, the grandfather there following the blacksmith's trade. The latter 
died when his son was only thirteen years of age, at which time J. H. 
Woodin was practically thrown upon his own resources. In 1828, at the 
age of seventeen he removed to Ohio, in company with his brother-in-law, 
George Mygatt, an architect, under whose direction he learned the trade 
of a carpenter. In the spring of 1847, Mr. Woodin went to Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin, where he was employed as a journeyman, and also worked in 
the machine shops of that city until 1853, when he removed to Peoria 
county, Illinois, making his home upon a farm there until 1866, when he 
came to Allen county, Kansas. He took up his abode in the western part 
of lola township, and there died in 1892. He was married in 1834, in 
Painesville, Ohio, to Rachel Hitchcock, who was born in New York, in 
181 1, a daughter of James Hitchcock, a Methodist minister, who removed 
from the Empire State to Ohio. Mrs. Woodin died in Kansas in 1891. 
By her marriage she became the mother of two sons and three daughters: 
James L-. who died in lola in 1895, and was an ex-sheriff of Allen county; 
Mrs. Mary E. Hurt, of Farmington, Illinois; J. C, of this review; Eliza- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 163 

beth, deceased, wife of William Best, of Neosho Falls, Kansas; and 
Frances J., deceased, wife of Robert Works, of Humboldt, Kansas. 

J. C. Woodin was reared on the home farm. Through the winter 
months he pursued his education in the district schools, and in the summer 
months he followed the plow and assisted in the work of the harvest fields. 
After he had attained his majority he began farming and stock raising on 
his own account, but later turned his attention to the manufacture of 
brooms, which business he is still following. As the output of his factory 
is of a superior grade he receives a liberal patronage and is therefore enjoj'- 
ing a good income. 

On the 23rd of December, 1874, Mr. Woodin. married Miss Kate 
McCullough, who was born in Waterproof, Louisiana, March 18, 1856. 
Her father, William McCullough, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated 
to the United Stated in 1846. In 1848 he was married in Rondout, New 
York, to Jane Duncan, also a native of the Emerald Isle. With his family 
he removed from New York to Indiana, where he followed the brick 
mason's trade. For a time he resided in Louisiana, engaging in the same 
business, but on account of his union sentiments he was compelled to leave 
there at the time of the Civil war, making his way to Texas, and thence to 
Mexico, where he took passage on a sailing vessel for New York. From 
the last named place he went with his family to Illinois and subsequently 
to Kansas City, wliere he resided for about twenty years, when, hoping to 
benefit his health by a change of climate he came to Allen county. Here 
his death occurred in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Woodin have become the 
parents of three sons and two daughters; William J., Fred, Anna, James 
and Lettie, who are still undei the parental root. 



TAMES COLLINS STRONG, son of the late Dr. Henry Strong, of 
" Moran, came to Allen County in 1874, and located upon section 25, al- 
most adjoining the town of Moran. He was the elde.st son of Dr. Strong, who 
brought his family to Kansas in order that he might the better locate them 
and establish them more advantageously about him. The latter made the 
selection of their future home and upon this he resided until the family 
home was broken up by the death of his wife. 

Dr. Strong was one of the characters of Allen County. He was a 
gentleman of learning and of much force and foresight. He was one of the 
old-time practitioners and his life, from first to last was an open book for the 
inspection of all. He was northern by birth but somewhat southern by 
environment and training. Many years of his life as a young physician 
were passed in the heart of what afterward became the Southern Confeder- 
acy and it was but natural that he should absorb many of the habits and 
customs of the southern people. He left the South, though, before the 
questions which almost severed the Union came to be agitated with fatal 
seriousness and returned to live with the people and institutions of the 
North. 

Dr. Henry Strong was born in the state of New York, October 9, 181 1, 



164 HISTOKY OF ALLEN AND 

and was prepared for his profession in tlie Louisville, Kentucky, Medical 
Colle,i;e. He was a son of Rev. Henry Pierce Strong and a grandson ol 
Adonijah Strang. Rev. Henry Strong was born February 2, 1785, ancf 
married November 16, 1810, to Laura Clark, who wa.s born at Danbury, 
Connecticut. Rev. Strong was a graduate from Yale College, and of 
Andover Tlieological Seminary. 

Dr. Henry Strong was one of a family of eight children. He began 
life at Buffalo, New York, and about 1833 went to Cold Springs, Miss., to- 
locate. He remained there about twenty years (from 1S33 to 1^53) and 
returned north to Rockford, Illinois. He felt that the South was a poor place 
in which to rear a family and this impelled him to desert it. He spent the 
years from 1853 to 1874 in Winnebago County, Illinois, and arrived in 
Allen County, Kansas, December 4, 1874. He brought with him three 
sons and four daughters, all of whom survive. 

Dr. Strong was first married June, 1835, to Phelje Pomeroy, of Lyons, 
New York. She died at Cold Springs. Miss., in June, 1845, and May 12, 
1847, he married Eloiza Collins, of Adams County, that State. March 29, 
1862, Eloi/.a Strong died at Rockford, Illinois, and he was married the 
Ehird time at Ri)ckford, 1867, to S ilina Davis an English lady. The doctor's 
children are: Henry (the child of his first wife), Mary C, wife of Peter J. 
McGlashan, of Moran; James C, born December 24, 1849; William T. ; 
Sarah O. , wife ot J. E. Montgomery, of lola; Joshua Newton, of Des 
Moines, la.; Eloiza C, wife of G. M. Nelson, of lola; Martha E., wife oi 
C. M. Richards, of lola, Kansas; Mrs. Caroline C. Millard, residing in 
lola. 

During the Rebellion the people of Rockford, Illinois, sent Dr. Strong 
to the front to care foi the Illinois, and more especially the Rockford 
troops sick and wounded on the field. He went to the Bull Run battle 
ground and there plunged into the work of dressing wounds, working over 
the operating table, until all the wounded were cared for. He was made 
surgeon of the 74th Illinois, but wis superseded by a young doctor who 
was seeking an opportunity to gain experience at the expense ot the men. 
He was appointed surgeon of the 9Dth Illinois, an Irish regiment, and re- 
mained with it till the war closed. He was in twenty-two engagements, or 
under fire twenty two times while in the performance of his duties. He 
let nothing interfere with the full and complete performance of that duty 
which contributed to the comfort of the sick and wounded. At the battle 
of Missionary Ridge he worked seventy-two hours dressing wounds, wear- 
ing out every other surgeon. 

In politics the Doctor was originally a Democrat. During the war he 
was a firm friend of Lincoln, and after that trouble had passed away he 
became a potent factor in the moulding of local Democratic sentiment. In 
belief he was a Christian gentleman and was identified with the Presby- 
terian church, being one of the elders of the Moran congregation. He 
died at the home of his son, William T. Strong, July 5, 189S. 

James C. Strong passed his youth and early manhood in Winnebago 
countv, Illinois. His has been a life of devotion to the farm and he owns 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 65 

one of the attractive and productive places in Marmatoii township. His 
career in Allen county has been an honorable, though uneventful one and 
the demands of the farm and field have occupied his time. 

Mr. Strong was nianied at New Milford, Illinois, November 11, 1875, 
to Elizabeth L. . a daughter of John ,S. Watson, an early settler there and 
an Englishman. The children of this marriage are: Edith Eloi/.a, born 
June 6, 1878; Walter James, born January i8, 1883; and Curtis Henry, 
born October 30, 18,0, Mrs. Strong was born February 21, 1850, and is 
the second of four children: Eva, wife of George Skinner, of Winnebago 
county, Illinois: Robert S. Watson, of Chicago, and George A. Watson, of 
New Milford, Illinois. 

Mr. Strong is a rock-ribbed Democrat, has served a term as township 
clerk, treasurer of the township four terms and treasurer of the school 
district eleven years. 



/^BED KERR, of Marmaton township, Allen county, who has passed 
^-^ his score of years in the county, located upon a piece of raw prairie 
in the fall of 1878, his location being the south-west quarter of section 9, 
township 25, range 20. It was included in the "Peck" land and conse- 
quently, his title was never disputed by the League. It was well on 
toward winter when Mr. Kerr drove his mule team, a cow and two calves 
onto the spot which is now his home and started a camp. The ten dollars 
which he brought with him was unequal to the task of providing shelter 
for the family and he mortgaged his team in Humboldt to buy the lumber 
for his 14.X16 shanty, ten feet high. A hard winter came on and the little 
mansion proved little more than a good wind-break, for it filled with snow 
as regularly as it fell. 

He started farming with sowing eight acres of wheat which harvested 
only fifty-one bushels and it came at a time when the family was needing 
something to eat. The.se hardships all pa.ssed over, the difficulties were 
all overcome with the lapse of time and prosperity showered its blessings 
upon him as had adversity in the beginning. He has more than doubled 
the area of his original farm, having real estate in Elni township as well as 
in Marmaton. 

Mr. Kerr came to Kansas in 1877 and spent the first year in Marshall 
county. He came from Union county, Pennsylvania, in Snyder county 
of which state he was born January 11, 1835. The Kerrs were among the 
well known people of that locality and one of the old German families of 
the state. Our subject's father was Jacob Kerr, a farmer, a sou of Chris- 
tian Kerr. 

Jacob Kerr married Sarah Ilummell, was reasonably successful in life 
and died in 1845 at the age of forty-four. His widow survived him more 
than forty-five years, dying in 1891, aged ninety years. Their children 
were: Leah, wife of Joseph Miller, of Northumberland county, Pennsyl- 



l66 HISTORY OF ALI.EN AND 

vaiiia; Rachel, who married John Bere. of Union county, Pennsylvania; 
Kanez, of Allen county, Kansas; Obed Kerr; Jacob Kerr, who died just 
after coming out of the army; Sarah, who is Mrs. Joseph Miller, residing 
in Pcnnsyvania; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan, widow of Isaac Keyser, of 
Northlumberland county, Pennsylvania; Catherine, wife of Theodore 
Fegley, of Harvey county, Kansas, and Christian Kerr, of Benton county, 
Arkansas. 

Being orphaned by the death of his father Obed Kerr was forced to 
"work out" very early in lite and at the age of fifteen years went to live 
with an uncle. He learned the carpenter trade with him and worked at it 
about five years. In addition to his country school advantages he put in a 
full year in a graded school. He was granted license to teach and did 
engage in that work several winters and clerked in a store at Mount Carmel 
in summer. He finally became a partner in the business and remained so 
for twenty years. When the crash came after the war the firm failed and 
Mr. Kerr suffered severe financial reverses. The two years succeeding his 
forced retirement from the counter, and prior to his advent to Kansas, he 
spent on a farm and he reached Marshall county, Kansas, with funds 
enough to provide for the wants of his family till a crop could be raised. 

December 20, i860, Mr. Kerr was married to Mary Heiser, a daughter 
of David Hei.ser. The children of this union are: Walter A. Kerr; Arie. 
Claire and Willis Kerr. The Kerrs are Republicans in politics and our 
subject has been one of the active and enthusiastic party men in Allen 
county. 



SAMUEL MILES KXOX was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, 
November 11, 1826. The son of a farmer, his boyhood was spent 
after the usual fashion of American farm boys, — working hard during the 
long summer and going to school in the short winter. His first money 
was earned at the age of ten, when for three months he built the school 
house fires every morning for one dollar. He has earned a good many 
dollars since then, but never one that gave him more satisfaction. The 
progress made in his .studies is shown by the fact that at the age of seven 
teen he was employed by the school directors as assistant teacher, — at the 
munificent salary of four dollars a month ! The spring following he 
entered the Tuscarora Academy, and the next fall he secured a position as 
teacher at a salary of $18.00 a month, — boarding himself. Determined to 
secure an education if possible, he continued for two years to attend the 
Academy in summers, paying his way there by the money saved from the 
meager salary paid him as a teacher during the winter. From the 
Academy he went into the office of a physician and for two years gave all 
the time he could spare from the school teaching by which he earned his 
living to the study of medicine. After two years of this study he gave up 




::„„.,.:. ';ar!<"'"^" 




c 




WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 167 

the idea of becoming a physician and for three years thereafter he was 
engaged in the business of selling books, especially German and English 
History of the United States, selling more of the German than of the 
English edition. Through the accident of being obliged to accept grain in 
payment of some debts owed to him by the farmers of the neighborhood, he 
was drawn into the lumber and grain business, which he followed success- 
fully for two }'ears at Wyant a small station in Bureau county, Illinois, of 
which village he was the first postmaster. Abandoning his mercantile 
business he went to Princeton, Illinois, and began the study of law in the 
office of Milton T. Peters, a leading attorney of that section, and after the 
proper preparation was admitted to the bar. In i860 he was made the 
Democratic candidate for Representative in the Legislature, but went down 
with his party in the election that followed. In spite of an adverse 
party majority he was elected county Judge of his count}' the following 
year and served in that capacity four years. Soon after his retirement from 
this office he made an extended tour of Europe. Returning from this trip 
his attention was attracted to the cheap lands then being placed upon the 
market by the western railroads, and he bought several oi the tracts that 
he still owns in Allen county, Kansas. Becoming acquainted through 
these purchases with the managers of some of the land grant railroads he 
was engaged for the next several years as their agent for the sale of their 
lands, serving with marked success in this capacity the L. L. & G., the 
M. K. & T., the C. B. & Q., and the Union Pacific. His longest service 
in this line was with the Union Pacific with which he remained as L,and 
and Passenger Agent until 1897. Retiring from this employment he took 
up his permanent residence in Allen county and is now engaged on a large 
scale in the farming and stock business in Salem township. 

This is the simple story, as briefly as it can be told, of a successful 
career, won without any outside help, through the sheer force of pluck, 
industry and character. To begin as a mere boy, to educate one's self, to 
win an honored place in a learned profession, to make one's force felt in 
great corporations, to amass a modest but sufficient fortune, and then to 
have sense enough, while yet hale and hearty to settle down to enjoy the 
fruits of his labor, — -that is a record any man may be pardoned for being 
proud of. 

Like most Americans, Judge Knox knows but little of his ancestry. 
His grandfather, Hugh Knox, was born in Scotland in 1758, emigrated to 
America, settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, moved to Danville, 
New York, then to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he died in 1851. His 
father, John Knox, was born January 6, 1789, in Lancaster count/, 
Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. He served as a cavalry- 
man in the war of 1812, and died November 25, 1858, in Princeton, Illi- 
nois. His mother, Eunice Pauling, was born November 12, 1794, in 
Philadelphia and died July 12, 1858, in Princeton, Illinois. She was 
descended from one of the Quaker families who came to America with the 
Penn colony. Several of Judge Knox' maternal ancestors were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary war, one of them, Samuel Pauling, being with Wash- 



l6S HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

iiiiCton during the memorable winter of 1777-8 at \'alley Forge, and later 
at the surrender of Cornwallis at Vorktown. 

On the 31st of December. [854, Mr. Knox was united in marriage to 
Miss Hainian H. Wea\-er, of AUentown, Pennsylvania. Unto them have 
been born two sons and three daughters, four yet living: Anson H., who 
married Annie Dewey Whipple and who is now engaged in farming near 
Sheffield, Illinois; Mary K., wife of Justus Massillon Stevens, of Prince- 
ton, Illinois; Ada L , who resides with her parents; Samuel F.. a practic- 
ing attorney of Chicago, Illinois, who married Edith Brown, of London, 
England. The children have been provided with very superior 
educational privileges, the two daughters completing their education in the 
languages in Dresden and Paris. 

In his political views Judge Knox has been a life-long Democrat, is 
strongly in favor of the double standard of currency and had the honor of 
being a delegate to the national silver convention in 1896, which nominated 
William J. Bryan for president of the United States. He is a gentleman 
of broad general information, liberal in his views, and acts upon his con- 
victions. He is one of the most public spirited and enterprising citizens of 
Allen county. In 1856 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and 
has taken all the degrees in blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery and 
Scottish rite branches of Free Masonry and held office in all the bodies. In 
his life, however, he exemplifies the spirit of mutual helpfulness and 
forbearance which forms the basic element of the craft. His has been an 
honorable career. He has never made engagements that he has not ful- 
filled nor incurred obligations he has not met. He is at all times straight- 
forward and reliable and stands as a representative of our highest type of 
American manhood. 



"T^R. A. L. DORXBERGH.— Time has all but annihilated the pioneers 
-* — ' of Kansas. The passing of years has thinned their ranks until there 
is only here and there one. In Allen county they are so rare as to become 
an object, almost, of curiosity. To have spent more than toTty years in 
Kansas seems, at first thought, an improbability. Two score of years takes 
us so far out onto the frontier that it seems scarcely the abode of the white 
man. Yet it was and A. L. Dornbergh was among the number. He came 
here from Lockport, New York, as a young miller in 1859, remained in 
Humboldt a short time and having secured a claim near Humboldt preceded 
to build a house and moved thereon. His family consisted of self, wife 
and two sons and step.son H. D. Smith. It was with every expectation of 
turnin,g the claim into a farm that he took possession of it, but in this he 
was disappointed, for in 1S60 came the drouth, then 1861 ushered in the 
war which stopped all improvements. He entered the service as First 
Lieutenant of the Allen County Guards. This companj- with those of 
Woodson and Wilson counties was organized in the southern division and 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 169 

was called the 7th Regiment. Dr. Dornbergh was made Captain of his 
company September 3d, 1S61. February 2nd, 1864, he received a commis- 
sion witli the rank of Major and Aidde-camp on Major-General John B. 
Scott's staff. He was out almost from the beginning of hostilities till the 
end of the contest. He served on the border between Mi.ssouri and Kansas 
and saw and participated in much of the hard field work of the west. After 
the war Dr. Dornbergh was elected Probate Judge of Allen county where 
he served three terms consecutively of two years each, John Francis being 
his deputy. Retiring he devoted himself to the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his claim. He proceeded to plant forty acres of it to fruit and had 
about the first bearing orchard on the prairie. His fruit was the best qual- 
ity and was appreciated by his neighbors and friends toward whom he 
showed a spirit of liberality. 

Dr. Dornbergh was a homeopathist, practicing in his own family before 
coming to Kansas, and when he took up the practice in this State, soon 
gained by his success and faithfulness such a large business that everything 
else was given up to that field of usefulness. Having spent nearlj' thirt)-- 
five years in medicine he retired from its general practice. 

When Dr. Dornbergh settled in Allen county Indians were roaming 
over the county, settlers were scattered here and there along the streams, 
Humboldt was the county seat, and lola, the successor tb Cofachique, was 
only a place in name. In those days the Doctor's well was on a sled in the 
yard and as the Indians came by they helped themselves to the contents of 
the barrel so long as there was any, without the permission of its owner. 

Dr. Dornbergh was born in Caledonia, Livingston county. New York, 
December 7, 1826. His father, John Dornbergh, was born near Albany, 
New York, in 1799 and died at Rochester, N. Y. in 1844. His wife, Sabra 
S. Oldfield, was born in 1806 and died in 1876. She was the mother of five 
children. 

Dr. Dornbergh was married in 1854 at Clifton, Monroe county, New 
York, to Sarah A. Smith, widow of W. H. Smith. Two children have 
been born to them, viz: Harmon Lewis, born in 1855, died in 1878; John 
Cheever. born i860, and who is a prominent farmer of Humboldt township, 
Allen county, Kansas. The latter is married to Nettie M., daughter of 
E. N. Wert, of Humboldt, and has five children. 

Dr. Dornbergh was reared a Democrat. His father was an uncom- 
promising one and taught the faith to his children, but our subject departed 
from it when he grew up and was well known for his political convictions 
during the early days of Allen county. In fraternal matters he is a Mason 
and an Odd Fellow. 



T A 7"ILLIAM J. EVANS was reared and educated in Carlyle and Geneva, 

" " Kansas. He was eighteen years of age when he came to lola and he 

worked at odds and ends, hauling coal among the rest, till he entered the 



170 



HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND 



drug house of R. B. Stevenson as a clerk. When the Missouri Pacific 
lailroad was building through lola he had a place on the engineering force 
for a time. After this he was in Topeka, Kansas, occupying a position as 
a drug clerk for some months and upon his return to lola in 18S2 bought 
the drug business of Richards, Lakin and Ireland, a prominent firm twenty 
years ago. In 1883 in company with William Goodhue he purchased the 
drug .stock of R. B. Stevenson and has since made drugs, books, stationary 
and paints his business. Upon the retirement of Mr. Goodhue the firm 
became W. J. Evans and remained so till the partnership of William J. and 
Tell Kvans was entered into in 1892. This stand has always enjoyed a 
prosperous business. It has been the popular corner since the day Steven- 
son opened his paper stand, and later his little drug store, and its magni- 
tude and importance has increased with the demands of a metropolitan 
city. The firm of Evans Brothers is nothing if not progressive and public 
spirited. They get all that their legitimate business will earn but they do 
not keep all they get. Their liberality toward worthy charities and meritor- 
ious enterprises is well known and the money that they thus dispose of 
annually is in liberal proportion to their net incomes. 

Mr. Evans has been a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association 
for near a dozen, years, has been active on some of the committee work 
and in 1896 was elected president of the Association, .serving the usual 
term of one year. 

In politics there never was a time when the Evans' were not on the 
side of patriotism and the flag. Whigs predominated in the household in 
the d.iys of Webster and Clay and Scott but with Fremont they became 
Republicans and have remained so through all the history of that party. 

William J. Evans was married in lola January 26, 1888, to Jessie, a 
daughter of William Buchanan. 

Mr. Evans is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Workman. 

The foregoing brief record and the more extended sketch of J. M. 
Evans, previously given, is ihe story of lives well and honorably spent 
It covers the period of Allen county's development and testifies to the part 
which one of its pioneer families took in that development. It is fortunate 
that the facts of genealogy herein contained have been so well preserved 
to us and that the brief reference to the first settlement of our county is 
thus vividly portrayed. The student of oui times in the future, will gain 
information and find much to satisfy in the perusal of the lives of our 
worthy pioneers. 



T A riLLIAM M. MATTOCK.— Standing out con.spicuously as a 
* ' pioneer upon our eastern border and as a trusted and tried citizen 
of Allen county is William M. Mattock, of Marmaton township. The day 
when he was not among us takes us back to the Civil war era upon the 
close of which the soldiers of the Union scattered to homes throughout the 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. ^ I7I 

length and breadtli of the United States. Many of them sought the fertile 
and unsettled portions of our frontier, chief of which latter was the domain 
of eastern Kansas, and our subject was among the number. He drove, 
with his family, across the border into Allen county in 1S66, and was the 
third settler to build a cabin in what is now Marmaton township. He 
entered the south-west quarter of section 24, township 25, range 20, and 
the settlers who were his neighbors then and are here still are the Culbert- 
sons, the Harclerodes, John Sapp and Henry C. Rogers. The Porters 
lived farther south than Rogers but have long since gone. All of eastern 
Allen county was included in Humboldt township till after the war. Els- 
more was the first to be cut off, in 186S, and Marmaton the second, about 
1 87 1. Mr. Mattock was in Humboldt school district at first but the next 
year little ''Stony Lonesome," midway between Humboldt and lola. was 
erected and he was attached to that district. His first two votes were cast 
in Humboldt, the distance to the polling place not .sapping the voter of his 
enthusiasm any more than now. 

The original home of Mr. Mattock was McL,ean county, Illinois. He 
was reared there but born in Richland county, Ohio, September r, 1840. 
His father, Jacob Mattock, was born in Pennsylvania in 1815, left the state 
with his father, Daniel Mattock, at eight years of age and settled in Rich- 
land county, Ohio. The Mattocks are descended from the French and 
German races who came to America in colonial times. An only brother of 
Jacob Mattock was killed, with his family, in the Spirit Lake Indian 
massacre, in Minnesota, many years ago. Jacob Mattock was married in 
Ohio to Eliza McConkie, a daughter of William McConkie, who emigrated 
from Westmoreland county, Penns}-lvania. Two children were the result 
of their marriage, viz: William M., our subject, and Mrs. Mary Swine- 
heart, who died in McLean counts-, Illinois. Mrs. Jacob Mattock died in 
the same county in 1866. 

In the spring of i860 Jacob Mattock took his family into Cooper 
county, Missouri, where he died the same season. The following year his 
son enlisted in the gth Missouri Cavalry, Company I, and .served the fir.st 
year as a scout with different commands. His company officer was Capt. 
Eaton and his regimental commander, Col. Williams. Mr. Mattock was 
promoted from sergeant of his company after the first year to Acting Ser- 
geant Major of the regiment. He .serv^ed in the south-western department 
and was dealing with bushwhackers quite all the lime. The Price Raid 
furnished a few engagements, like the Big Blue, which the 9th Missouri 
Cavalry got into, but beyond these the onlj^ excitement of the regiment 
was raised when a band of guerrillas or detachments of rebels was en- 
countered and brought into a fight. 

Mr. Mattock's service covered Missouri, Arkansas and eastern Kansas, 
and his exposure during these years brought on him attacks of rheumatism 
from which he has suffered much torture all the years since the war. 

William Mattock was reared chiefly in a small town in Ohio He was 
schooled at Newville and acquired sufficient learning to render him com- 
petent to transact the ordinary business of life. He was married in Jul}', 



1-J2 • HISTORY OF AI.I.EX AND 

1865, to Maria J., a daughter of C. S. Starkey, wlio came to Kansas with 
our subject in 1866. His two children are Dr. J. A. Starkey, of Waynes- 
ville, Illinois, and Mrs. Mattock. Mr. Mattock's children are: Emma 
A., wife of J. W. McFarland. of Stillwater, Oklahoma; L. D. and J. A. 
Mattock, of Marmaton township, and Katie, wife of J. ^Y. Sigler, of Lone 
Kim, Kansas. 

Mr. Mattock was elected Trustee of his township first early in the '70's 
and has filled the office sixteen years, and only retires when his health will 
not permit him to serve longer. He is one of the staunch Republicans of 
Allen county and, for years, it was an unusual thing when he was not on 
the Marmaton delegation to any county convention. 



CHARLES NELSON, who follows farming in El-more township, Allen 
County, was born in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois, on the 19th of 
August, 1854. His father, Olaf Nelson, was a native of Sweden, and ere 
leaving that land he was united in marriage to Miss Inga Parison. who was 
also born there. They came to the United States about 1850, locating in 
Illinois, and in 1876 took up their abode in Kan.sas, the father purchasing 
a farm five miles west of Savonburg, near the south line of the county. He 
is still living there at the age of seventy-seven years, but in 1897 l^e was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 13th of March, 
of that year, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of 
eight children, of wliom five are now living, namely: Charles, Frank J.. 
Hannah M., Madison and Sarah. 

Mr. Nelson, of this review, was reared in Illinois until sixteen years 
of age, and etijoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common 
schools of his native county. He resided with his parents until twenty 
years of age, at which time he left home and was married to Miss Caroline 
Home, of Knoxville, and that year they came to Kansas with her parents 
and Mr. Nelson preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land five miles 
west of Savonburg. Immediately he began the improvement of his farm 
and in 1880 he extended the field of his labors by embarking in general 
merchandising at Warrensburg, conducting the new enterprise in connec- 
tion with the operation of his farm, until 188S. He then removed his .stock 
of goods to Savonburg. About that time the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
railroad was surveyed through the place. Mr. Nelson organized a town 
company and was made its president. He has lived to see the little village 
grow and" prosper and it now has a population of eighf hundred. In its 
improvement and upbuildin>; he has been an important factor, his active 
co-operation in all measures for the general good being of immense benefit. 
On the 1st of March, 1896 he sold his stock of goods and returned to the 
farm, to the operation of which he is now devoting all of his time and at- 
tention. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. XeLson has been blessed with eleven chil- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



173 



dren, eight of whom are now living, namely: Estella M., who is a graduate 
•of the grammar schools and is now teaching in lola; A'ictor C, John F., 
Gertrude V., Carl Inez, Gladys and Virl. The family is one of prominence 
in the community, the members of the household occupying leading posi- 
tions in social circles. Mr. Nelson gives his political support to the 
Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. Socially he 
is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Savonburg. 
His life has been a busy and useful one and while he has added to his own 
prosperity he has at the same tima been numbered among the substantial 
citizens and also contributed to the general good. 



■jVTEWTON THOMPSON, of Marmaton township, of Allen County, 
-^ ^ who owns the northeast quarter of section 22, town 24, range 20, came 
to Kansas from Carroll County, Missouri, but he was born in Carroll Coun- 
ty, Indiana. His birth occurred near Delphi October 15, 1856, and he is 
a son of George R. Thompson, a resident of Moran, Kansas. The latter 
spent many years of his life as a blacksmith in Delphi, to which point he 
went from Washington County, Indiana. In 1866 he emigrated westward 
to Saline County, Missouri, and resided there and in Carroll County, th^t 
State, till 1879, when he came to Kansas He was engaged in burning 
lime in the two Missouri counties and in the latter one he purchased and 
operated a farm. The first years of his residence in Allen County were 
passed in the country and he improved a farm in section 23, town 24, 
range 20. 

Mr. Thomp.son is directly traceable to the Irish. He is a great grand- 
son of Thos. Thompson, born and reared in Ireland. The latter came to 
America prior to the Revolution and settled in Kentucky as a pioneer. 
There he reared his family and, at Frankfort our subject's grandfather was 
born in 1775. Thos. Thompson died in Franklin township, Indiana, in 
1828, at the age of seventy-two years. His son, Robert Thompson, our 
subject's grandfather, died in Washington County, Indiana, in 1864. He 
was a pioneer to Indiana and among the first settlers of Washington Coun- 
ty. Thos. Thompson was a soldier of the American Revolution, as were 
three of his sons. Robert Thompson was a captain in the War of 181 2 and 
was engaged in the battle at New Orleans. He married Elizabeth 
Robinson and George R. Thompson is the ninth of ten children in his 
family. 

George R. Thompson was born in Washington County, April 10, 1824, 
and at the outbreak of the Civil War enli.sted in the 2nd Indiana cavalry, 
a rather independent organization, under the command of General Ed. Mc- 
Cook. He participated in every engagement of cavalry from Atlanta, in 
the fall of 1863, to the close of the war. His division went in advance of 
Sherman to and away from Savanah and saw the war ended at Jonesboro, 



174 HISTORY OF ALLEX AN'D 

North Carolina. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, July 
26, 1865. 

Our subject's mother was Emily Perdue. She bore eight children and 
our subject is the sole survivor. 

J. Newton Thompson was schooled in the country and has practiced 
nought but farming. He was married in Allen County in February, 1880, 
to Liota Biutj, a daughter of William Banta. Mrs. Thompson was one of 
the early and successful teachers of the county and was a boarder in the 
home of Hon. E. H. Funston, whose oldest son, the General, was one of 
her pupils. 

The Bantas came to Kansas from Brown County, Indiana. William 
Banta was born in the state of Kentucky in 181 7 and died in Allen County 
in 1897. He married Eleanor Coffland and was the father of Mrs. Thomp- 
son, Byron Banta, of Oklahoma; Rhoda, wife of Geo. W. Smith, one of the 
leading teachers of Allen County; Albin Banta, of Kansas City, Kansas; 
Mrs. Alice Jones, wife of Rev. L. S. Jones, of Westphalia, Kansas; Elijah 
Banta, of Allen County, and Mrs. Pearl Cox. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's children are: Addie Thompson, born 1880, 
is a graduate of the common schools and a teacher; Minnie Thompson, a 
graduate of the common schools; Rothwell, Clair, Arthur and Glenn 
Thompson. 

"Newt" Thompson is one of the enthusiastic Republicans of Allen 
County and holds a membership in the Presbyterian church at Moran. 



GIvORGE Mclaughlin.— Our attention is directed in the following 
brief sketch to a family who have done no little toward the moral, 
educational and material advancement of Allen county. Its establishment 
here dates from the year 1871 and its worthy and industrious head is the 
subject hereof. 

When George McLaughlin located upon the north-west quarter of sec- 
tion 8, township 25, range 21, there were few persons who could now be 
termed neighbors. The Sapps, Culbertsons, Moores and the Armstrongs 
were among the nearby settlers and the neighborhood was considered to 
extend as far away as Nortons, west of Moran. The post-office was old 
Elsmore and there was naught to prevent one from taking the shortest cut 
to any desired point. Mr. McLaughlin erected, or moved into, an old 
stone house layed up with mud, built by an old bachelor settler, Lindsey. 
This the family used as a residence till 1S79 when the present family cot- 
tage was erected in the center of the section he now owns. 

The first years in a new country are not infrequently years of occa- 
sional trials and hardships. This is particularly true of settlers who are 
without means, save as they gather them from their fields in the harvest 
times. The McLaughlins were poor. They had settled in a new country 
because of that fact and when it is stated that a failure in their crops 




VVUV.. ^ WlAA ,^^LcAx^. mxi lo^AA-oX^JUrn, 



WOODSON COrNTIES, KANSAS. 175 

'brought suffering, both mental and physical, it is no exaggeration. There 
"vvas one barrier between the family and actual distress, at times, and that 
■was education. Mrs. McLaughlin had superior educational facilities. At 
the age of sixteen she was a classical graduate of the Macedonian Institute 
at Alexandria, Kentucky, and was immediately tendered the chair of 
English Literature in the Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Female Seminary, which she 
declined. Her first teacher's certificate was granted by Colonel Jacob 
Amnion, a close friend and old teacher of Gen. Grant. When Mrs. Mc- 
Laughlin was acquiring an education it did not occur to her that said 
education would some time save a little settlement on the frontier and pre- 
serve it for good in the development of a great state. But it so happened. 
When the hard years came and the family larder ran low the wife of our 
subject taught school. Roclclow atid Union and Stony Point have all been 
garrisoned by her and a small band of America's j'outh and those times 
are now regarded as among the events of her life. 

As the years wore on and crop conditions became more favorable and 
the growing of cattle profitable the material prosperity of the family be- 
came apparent. This condition of financial ease exemplified itself in a 
regular and steady increase in area of the family homestead. Eventuall}' 
its boundaries extended to and included all the eighties in section eight, 
save one, and its shortage is made up in another section. To dig a section 
of land out of itself is not done without great industry and perseverance and 
the McLaughlins are to be congratulated, in view of their earl/ difficulties, 
in accomplishing the task in a quarter of a century. 

Mr. McLaughlin came from Browft county, Ohio. He was born there 
Ma}' 12, 1835, and his wife April 25, 1844. The latter was A bbie J., a 
daughter of Thomas Pickerell, who cut off with his own ax three hundred 
acres of Ohio timber land. Mr. Pickerell was born in Mason count}', 
Kentuck)', March 12, 1800, and died in Brown county, Ohio, April 16, 
1S71. His father, Samuel Pickerell, enlisted at twelve years of age in the 
Colonial army for service in the war of the Revolution. He was a drum- 
mer and served through the war. He was with General Washington at 
the crossing of the Delaware and in the service his feet and hands were so 
frosted that parts of them were necessarily removed. He was a farmer and 
bought the old Pickerell place on Eagle Creek, Bird township. Brown 
county, Ohio, upon which the first church of the Campbellite faith was 
erected, in 1817. The Shakers had once occupied the site but had 
abandoned it and the early Campbellite leaders gathered and perfected 
their organization there. Samuel Pickerell died at the age of ninety-eight 
years. He was married and reared the following children: Dennis, who 
reared a family in Brown county, Ohio; Richard, Samuel, Lovell, Thomas, 
William, Betsy, who married Samuel Dunham, Jennie, who married James 
Beatty; Mary, who became the wife of Mr. Harbaugh; Sallie, wife of Mr. 
Gillespie; Mrs. Thomas Reese; and Lucy, who became Mrs. Samuel 
Bartholomew. Thomas Pickerell married Alice Mann, a grand-daughter 
of David DeVore, born in Alsace, France, now Germany. She was Mr. 
Pickerell's second wife. He reared two families; in the first eight children 



fj6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

and ill the second five. Those surviving are: Thomas Pickerell, of Rice 
county, Kansas; Addison Pickerell, of Carthage, Illinois- Alexander O. 
I'ickerell, of Arkansas: John F. Pickerell, of Ripley, Ohio; Mrs. Mc- 
Laughlin; Sarah, widow of Samuel Peck, Dover, Kentucky, and Ella, wife 
of John McKee, of Ripley, Ohio. William C. Pickerell, deceased, was 
the first settler on the townsite of Topeka. He was a brother of Mrs. Mc- 
Laughlin who went out the Kaw river above Kansas City in 1S53 and 
took the claim that much of the State Capital stands on. He enlisted in 
Jameson's command and served through the war. His twelve-year-old 
son, Thomas, rode ninetj- miles without saddle or bridle and without 
eating to a military post to carry out his determination to get into the 
service. He went through the war as buglar and resides in Ness county, 
Kansas, at present. 

Mr. McLaughlin's father was David McLaughlin, a pioneer settler in 
Brown county, Ohio. He was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in 
Mason county, Kentucky. He was a son of John McLaughlin and the 
farm where he first settled is still in the family, owned by our subject's 
youngest brother. David McLaughlin was a soldier in our second war 
with England and was in the garrison at Detroit when Hull surrendered it 
to the British. He died in 18S0 at the age of eighty-four years. He 
married Reebcca Ramey who died in 187,^. Their children were: John 
R., of Brown county, Ohio; Lydia, deceased, married R. P. Fisher; George 
McLaughlin; Josiah C, who died in 1863; Frances, deceased, and Law- 
rence McLauglilin. 

George McLaughlin served in the hundred day guards called out dur- 
ing the war to protect the border from Rebel invasion. He left Ohio in 1866 
and came west to Jackson county , Missouri. He resided there three years 
and took another step westward into Brown county, Kansas. In 1871 he 
left there and came down into Allen county. He was married May 2, 
i860, to one of the successful teachers of Brown county, Ohio. Their 
children were: Herschel, deceased; T. Hamer; Josiah C, of Kansas City, 
Kansas, married Cora Holman; Anna, widow of J. L. Edsoii, resides in 
Kansas City, Missouri; Alice, wife of Will Shank of Bronson, Kansas; 
Chilton W. , of Kansas City, Kansas, assistant surgeon St. Margaret's 
Hospital; Rose, wife of W. L. Stahl, with Kansas City Journal, and Leona 
and Myrtle McLaughlin, successful teachers of Allen county, and Horace 
McLaughlin, at home. 

Mr. McLaughlin is a Democrat. He was reared one and there has 
been no time when he felt warranted in changing his faith. 



JEROME. W. DELAPLAIN, who for almost a third of a century has 
made his home in Allen County, traces his ancestry back to France and 
finds that many representatives of the family are living in various sections 
of this country. The orthography of the name has undergone many 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I 77 

changes, some spelling it as dwellers of the plains, De I^a Plain. vSamnel 
Delaplain, the grandfather of our subject, was born about the 7th of 
November, 1781, and served in the War of [8r2. He married Jane Mc- 
Fadden, a descendant of a patriot of Irish birth who served for seven years 
in the war of the American Revolution. Some time in 1808 Samuel Dela- 
plain, accompanied by one of his brothers, made the journey on horseback 
from Ohio to Illinois, also accompanied by their aged mother, a wScotch 
woman, who died a; the age of one hundred and four years. The grand- 
father was a pioneer Methodist preacher and crossed the Mississippi River 
to a French village where the city of St. Louis, Missouri, now stands. He 
was also a carpenter and took a contract to build the first market hou.se 
there, going to the forest and cutting and hewiifg the timber and making 
the boards from which to construct the building. The old French market 
house long stood as a landmark of that locality. 

While Samuel Delaplain and his wife Jatie were occupying the French 
claim in 1S12, Joshua P. Delaplain was born unto them, being the fifth of 
their eleven children. Shortly afterward the family again crossed the 
Mississippi River, settling on a farm four miles north ot Alton, Illinois, 
where the son Joshua grew to manhool. We find him early taking an 
active part in the work of the Methodist church, of which he remained an 
active and consi.stent member until his death in 1875. Holding a commis- 
sion from Governor Reynolds of Illinois in a company of State militia when 
the Black Hawk war broke out, he resigned his military office and enlisted 
as a private in a company of Independent Mounted Rifles, .serving until the 
old chief and his followers were subdued. 

On the 9th of October, 1836, Joshua Delaplain was united in marriage 
to Mary O. Copley, who was born October 7, 1818, at Oneida, New York. 
Her parents were of English ancestry. Of this marriage were born the 
following named: Jerome W. , Eugene W., now of Logan township; John 
B., of Kansas City: Charles L., deceased; Emma J., who in 1871 married 
George D. IngersoU, then a raerchaut of lola, and died in Moran, Kansas, 
in 1886, leaving three children; and Ellis P., of Elm township, who come 
pletes the family. 

In 1868 Joshua P. Delaplain and his eldest son, Jerome W., made a 
prospecting tour to Missouri and northern Kansas without finding just the 
location they wanted, and after considering the future of Galveston, Texas, 
as an outlet for the produce of Kansas b^- the Leavenworth, Lawrence & 
Galveston railroad, then talked of, the father in the early summer of 1868, 
came to Allen County, Kansas, spending the first night after his arrival at 
the Rodgers farm, southeast of Moran. The next day he met William 
Buchanan of lola, who showed him the Snodgrass farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres, one mile south of Gas City. The farm was purchased and Mr. 
Delaplain went east for his family who came overland in the last of Sep- 
tember, 1868. 

Previous to this time, Jerome W. Delaplain, on the i6th of May, 1866, 
had married Sue F. Gifford, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
and whose parents were of English and German descent. Jerome Dela- 



178 HISTOKV OF AI.I.KN" AND 

plain and his wife came with the family to Allen County and purchased of 
Oliver Redfern the southwest quarter of section five, township twenty-five, 
range nineteen, then a part of lola township, of which James McDonald 
was trustee. Houses were few and far between and were scattered along 
the streams. Prairie fires were frecjuent and often destructive, much time 
being consumed in guarding against and fighting them. The blanketed 
Indian still hunted over the prairies and sometimes would get the deer the 
Delaplain boys were after. Soon, however, the country became more 
thickly settled with the white people, who purchased farm lands of specu- 
lators, railroad companies or of other settlers. The Pickells, Ohlfests, 
Monforts, Krinks, Johnsons, Crowells, Ports, Remsbergs and others 
came. 

During the period of these arrivals petitions, at fir; t unavailing, began 
to find their way to the county commissioners asking for the establishment 
of a new township. Finally, as the result of the earnest effort of Mr. 
Pickell, the petitions were granted. At the Jacob Sikes school house on 
Him Creek, a half mile north of the pre.sent site of the Allen Center school 
house, a general gathering of the voters was held. John Woolems, a Dem- 
ocrat, was nominated for trustee and J. W. Delaplain, a Republican, for 
township treasurer, but the latter did not like the idea of a fusion ticket, 
and at a consultation which was held it was decided to cut loose from the 
fusion movement and put a straight Republican ticket in the field. Ac- 
cordingly notices were posted for a primary of Republican voters at the old 
log schoolhouse on the Riley farm about three-fourths of a mile east of the 
I. N. Port corner. At that primary J. \V. Delaplain, refusing any place on 
the ticket, his father, J. P. Delaplain, was nominated for trustee, J. L. 
Arnold for treasurer and Alvin Harris for clerk. They were all elected 
and Mr. Delaplain served for two terms in that office and one term as jus- 
tice of the peace. In 1874 Jerome Delaplain was appointed township 
treasurer to fdl out the unexpired term of George Hopkins and bj- re-elec- 
tion held the office for eight years, when he refused to again become a 
candidate. 

The subject of this review passed through the usual experiences of 
pioneer life. The house which stood on his one hundred and si.xty acre 
farm was a log structure, sixteen by sixteen feet, with rough board doors 
and one small window, while a spiit board roof was held in place with the 
weight of rocks and poles. Between the rough boards of the floor rattle- 
snakes sometimes made their way into the cabin, and the first winter a 
small, striped perfumed cat got in. The large rock fireplace in one end of 
the room, together with a cook stove in the center of the room, did not 
prevent the young wife's feet from getting badly frosted. Such were the 
hardships of pioneer life in Kansas! Times were very hard. On one oc- 
casion they were eating their last loaf of bread, not knowing how or where 
to get more, yet it came without calling for "aid." 

Mr. Delaplain's mother, now eighty-three years of age, 3'et resides 
with him. Unto him and his wife, while they were living in the old cabin, 
a son was born. May 15, 1869, to whom they gave the name of Charles W. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KAiNSAS. 1 79 

He lived to j-ouiig manhood and then died. Another son, Alfred G. Dela- 
plain, was born December 5, 1874. In March 1891, Jerome W. Delaplain 
purchased thirty-one and a fourth acres of land near lola, now in Brooklyn 
Park, and moved from Elm to lola township that the children, Alfred and 
the adopted daughter, Nellie, now Mrs. C. D. Eakin, of Gas City, might 
have the advantages of the lola schools. There he resided for six years, 
and about the time of the beginning of lola's prosperity he sold his prop- 
erty at an advance and, crossing East street, purchased the Chatiield prop- 
erty, little dreaming that it would ever be a part of the new city of 
Ida. 

During the last three years of the great rebellion, J. W., E. W. and 
J. B. Delaplain served their country as enlisted members of Company D, 
One Hundred and Twenty-Second Illinois Infantry, which formed a part 
of the Sixteenth Army Corps, which marched, starved, feasted and fought 
according to the fortunes of war and all the time loyally promoted the cause 
of the Union. While a resident of Elm townphip J. W. Delaplain was a 
worker for the Republican party, often serving on central committees orfs 
a delegate to the different conventions of county or district. He was prom- 
inent in the school work of his district and altogether has held rather more 
than man's share of the minor ofiices of district or township — a fact which 
indicates his high standing among his tellowmen. 



TDARTHOLOMEW A. LONGSTRETH, one of the substantial and 
-' — 'representative farmers and early settlers of Deer Creek township, came 
into Allen County, Kansas, October 2, 1869, and became a permanent 
settler. He purchased the northeast quarter of section 21, township 23, 
range 19, one of the "settled" places, with log cabin (fit only for firewood) 
in which he was glad to make his home. Looking about for the settlers 
who were here then, Adam Maier. David Funkhouser, Al Weatherman, 
Thos. Day and William Wise are all gone. Liztovvn, then a trading point 
near thr county line, has long since passed out of existence and the new- 
towns of Colony and Lone Elm have profited by its demise. 

Settling the frontier was no new business to Mr. Longstreth for he had 
passed some years in the wilds of Kansas before the Civil war and was 
familiar with the hardships and trials incident thereto. Upon coming of 
age he journeyed into Wisconsin and from that State across into Leaven- 
worth County, Kansas, on an exploring "voyage." It was 1857 when he 
went to Leavenworth and an opportunity to join a party of surveyors pre- 
sented itself and he accepted it. Kansas was then being sectionized by the 
government and the party to whom he belonged did the work of running 
off the lines and setting the corners up the Smoky Hill River almost to its 
head, and to the Nebraska State line. D. L- Lakin, of Alabama, had 
charge of this party and our subject acted as chainman. The latter was 
out among the buffaloes and coyotes from July to December, in the per- 



l80 HISTORY OF AI.I.EN AND 

formerance of his cliuiL-s, and coniimininjr with nature in her homely garb. 
In 1858-9 Mild i860 Mr. Longstreth was engaged as a farm hand or in get- 
ting out logs and lumber around Leavenworth. Following this he re- 
turned to Ohio and was married and engaged in farming. Upon his return 
to Kansas with his famih' he came by train to Ottawa where he provided 
himself with implements, furniture and otlier effects necessary to supply a 
cabin and to cultivate a small farm and paid $20 to have it all freighted 
down to David Funkhouser's near Carlyle. He took possession of his farm 
and began his third of a century of successful cultivation ot Allen County 
soil. 

B. A. Longstreth was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, August 10, 
1834. He is a son of Philip Longstreth, born in Pennsyivania, settled 
in Ohio as a boy and died in Muskingum County in 1886 at the age of 
eighty-three years. His father. Philip Longstreth, went into Ohio in 
the first years of the 19th century and opened a farm in the Muskingum 
valley. 

Our subject's mother was Anna Giger, still living at eighty-seven 
years of age. Her children are: Bartholomew A.; Catharine, wife of Philip 
Vance, of Morgan County. Ohio; Daniel Longstreth, of Muskingum, 
County; Mary Ann, who resides in Zanesville, Ohio; Julia, wife of Mr. 
Shreir, and Priscilla, wife of Mr. Clager, both of Muskingum County, 
and James Longstretli. 

Mr. Longstreth acquired little education. He was the oldest child 
and he was looked to to help clear the farm. He applied himself faithfully 
in the aid of his parents till his twenty-first year when he started on the 
western trip which brought him his frontier experience. In .\ugust, 1863, 
he was married to Lorena Stoneburner, a daughter of Israel Stoneburner 
and Miss Busch, the lattei of whom cro.ssed the Atlantic from Germany. 
Mrs. Longstreth was born in Ohio and is the mother of the following chil- 
dren: Anna, wife of C. H. Wilson, County Surveyor of Xoble County. 
Ohio; Laura, wife of C. E. Walters, of Colony, Kansas; Frank; Fred, of 
Anderson County, Kansas, who married Clara Delp, and Delia and Floy 
Longstreth, in the family home. 

The interested searcher for the political history of the Longstreths will 
find the early ones Democrats. B. A. Longstreth espoused that faith until 
his advent to Kansas. His observation of matters political, then, caused 
him to change front on the two great parties and he has since voted and 
worked with the Republicans. Mr. Longstreth 's applied industry for 
nearly a third of a century in Allen County has brought its reward. The 
raising of grain and stock and the investment of his surplus in real estate 
has expanded his acres and makes him the owner of one of the most de- 
sirable stock farms and feeding-grounds on the creek. His record as a 
citizen has kept pace with that as a farmer. He enjoys the confidence of a 
wide circle of friends by whom he is regarded as an honorable, public- 
spirited and successful citizen. 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. iSl 

X A /"ILLIAM J. RUMBLE, one of the well known farmers and stock 
^ ^ men of Marmaton township, came to Allen county January 13, 
1882. His location was upon section 35, township 24, range 20, one of the 
first class tracts of land in Allen county and of which he owns the north- 
west quarter. As a resident of Kansas he has been engaged extensively in 
the beef cattle business and is widely known as a feeder and furnisher of 
butchers stuff. For sixteen years he was proprietor of a meat market in 
Moran, a business which he conducted as an adjunct to his other and reg- 
ular business of supplying beef cattle to butchers. vSince his retirement 
from the "block" the management and cultivation of this farm and of the 
north half of section to, same township, have required much ol his per- 
sonal supervision. During the /ear of 1900 he handled about 500 head of 
fat cattle and as a feeder his herd numbers into the hundreds of head. 

Mr. Rumbel was born in Schuykill county, Pennsylvania, December 
10, 1864. He was educated in the country schools, and learned the 
butchers trade in his youth. He is a son of Joshua Rumbel, of Moran, 
who was also born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1832. 
He is a grandson of Henry Rumbel, a farmer, born in Montgomery 
county, Pennsylvania. The latter followed lumbering, farming and kind- 
red businesses, and was successful. He moved into Schuylkill county at 
eleven years of age with his father, Jake or John Rumbel. Henry Rumbel 
died in the county of Schuylkill in 1875 at the age of sixty-nine years. 
He married Salane Andress and their children were: Henry, Rebecca, 
Daniel, Joshua, John P., Jacob and Mary, wife of G. T. Reber, of Berks 
county, Pennsylvania. 

Joshua Rumbel grew up on his father's Schuylkill county farm and 
was educated in German in the country schools, but picked up an English 
education. He began life as a farmer and lumber manufacturer and con 
ducted a large business and acquired some wealth. He disposed of his 
interests in the east and came to Kansas and invested in lands and stock. 
He was one of the organizers of the Moran Bank and was connected with 
its affairs till its failure in 1898. 

Joshua Rumbel was married first in 1853 to Louisa Singley who died 
from the effects of an injury at the hands of the Kansas and Pacific Rail- 
road Company. Their children are Albert H., of Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania; Josiah, of Parsons, Kansas; Lawrence, of Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania; William J., our suVjject; Mary A., deceased; Richard, de- 
ceased, and Emma N., wife of C. R. Richard, of Greensboro, Maryland. 

William J. Rumbel was married in Allen county. Kansas, November 
9, 1886, to Dessie M. Keith, a daughter of C. P. Keith. Their children 
are Neta, Vernie and Oliver. 

From the earliest time the Rumbels have been Democrats. The rare 
departure was when Joshua Rumbel supported Abraham Lincoln for 
President. Our subject was schooled in the principles of Democracy and 
has kept the faith. He is one of the active party leaders and conventions 
of the "opposition" without his presence, are rare indeed. 



rS2 IIISTOKY OF ALLEN AND 

GEORGE MAN VI LLE HROWX was born in Otsego, New York, on 
the 9th day of January, iHt.^. He lived on a farm until he was 
thirteen years old. At that time his parents moved out to the western part 
of the state and he went to live with a brother, supporting hitnselt and at- 
tending school. His school work was prosecuted with such vigor and 
success that at the early age of seventeen he became a teacher, an avoca- 
tion which he followed for upwards of thirty years. In 1857 he left New 
York and came to Kansas, locating in Geneva township, Allen county, 
where for ten years he farmed the land now occupied by Mr. B. O. Miller. 
In 1S71 he was elected Register of Deeds and removed to lola which has 
ever since been his home. He held the office four years, and then after a 
vacation of two years, he was again elected and served four years more. 
Since retiring form office the last time he has not been actively engaged in 
business but has devoted his time to managing the property he had ac- 
(juired. Mr. Hrown was married at the age af twenty-two to Miss Caroline 
Griswold, dccea.sed, of Bath, New York. Five children have sprung from 
this union, of whom but two, Mrs. D. D. Spicer, of Geneva, and Miss Flora 
Brown, are still living. 

During the long years he h.as been a resident of lola and Allen county 
Mr. Brown has had the un([ualitied confidence of all who knew him. And 
during the later years of his life, this confidence deepened into affection. 
He was an honest man, who feared God and loved his neighbor and did 
his duty; ;ind he had his reward in a serene and cheerful old age and in 
the love of troops of friends. No man was ever more ready for the great 
change, and few men have left behind them a more fragrant memory. 



W 



'ILLIAM BUCHANAN, among the representative citizens of lola, 
is a son of Irish parents, Robert and Mary A. (Craig) Buchanan. 
The latter came to the United vStates in iSii and chose Kentucky as their 
place of residence. Bourbon county became their permanent home and in 
that municipality he plied his trade of coverlet weaver. He went into 
Rush county, Indiana, and took a "claim" in the Rushville swamps. He 
died at Riddles Mills, Kentucky, in 1827 at about forty years of age. His 
wife died in Rush county, Indiana. Seven of their children grew to be 
men and women, viz; Mary, who died in Earned Kansas, was the wife of 
Joseph David; John, who died in California in 1849; James, who died at 
Garnett, Kansas, in 1890; William; Robert, who died, also, at Garnett, 
Kansas; Samuel, who died at Welda, Kansas; Jennie, wife of William 
W. Innis, of Rushville, Indiana. 

William Buchanan was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, in 1820. 
He spent the first seventeen years of his life in Kentucky doing farm labor 
in the tields with the blacks at twelve and a half cents a day. He got as 
little education, in a school house, as it was possible for a boy to get and 
he was convinced early in life that his hands would be his capital. When 



WOODSON COrXTIES, KANSAS. I S3 

he went into the beech woods of Indiana and grubbed and chopped in the 
clearing he got ten dollars a month for his labor. By this means he man- 
aged to get together an ox team with which, in 1S42, he crossed the 
prairies to the new state of Iowa. He decided to settle with the Sac and 
Fox Indians at Princeton, ir, Kishkekosh county, afterwards Albia, 
Monroe county. This he did finally and remained in that state 
thirty years. ' Mr. Buchanan quit farming ultimately and engaged in 
the dry goods and grocery business in tne same town. He purchased the 
only flouring mill in the city of Albia and operated it twelve years. This 
period covered the Civil war era and many were the soldiers' widows and 
soldiers' wives who were the recipients of his benefactions. He disposed 
of his Iowa interests in 1866 and came to Allen county the next year. He 
located in lola and engaged in the manufacture of furniture. His factory 
was located on the lot just north of the Presbyterian church and he oper- 
ated it two years. He erected the first fine house in the city of lola and 
was just prepared to enjoy life when financial reverses overtook him and he 
was left nearly penniless. He started again, with his raw steers, renting a 
piece of grub land on the river. He raised his first crop on supplies pur- 
chased on time, — corn one dollar a bushel. After his second marriage he 
located on the tract north of lola, where he lived so long, and continued to 
repair his financial losses. 

Mr. Buchanan was married first, in 1842, to Mary A. Stephenson. 
She died in 1869 and in 1S72 he married Harriet M., a daughter of vStark 
Edwards. The Edwards were originally from Connecticut, but more re- 
cently from Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Buchanan was one of the early 
teachers of lola and she died here in Februar}' 1S97. Her only heir is 
Don C. Buchanan, one of tola's young business men. He is married to 
Mary E. Dugan. 

William Buchanaa's first children are: George, a soldier, who died in 
1867; Melissa, relict of \V. Morgan Hartraan, of lola; Jessie, wife of \V. J, 
Evans, of lola; Maggie, who married H. H. Funk and resides in lola; John 
Buchanan, who married Cynthia Zinc and left a family, at death, in 
Bourbon county, Kansas. 

Mr. Buchanan's first presidential vote was cast for Willian H. Har- 
rison. He remained with the Whigs until it merged into the Republican 
party and he has since been a loyal and constant supporter of it. 



E^LLERSLIE W. TREGO— Men who change business in middle life are, 
-'—'as a rule, in the .^ame predicament as the men who swapped horses while 
crossing a stream. Rarely do men, after their business habits are formed 
and their success in a given line demonstrated, change the course of their 
training without handicapping them.selves or meeting with serious and 
and positive reverses. Especielly is this true where the successful farmer 
deserts his post and embarks in the mercantile fjusiness. Ellerslie W. 



1^4 HISTORY OK \LLEN AND 

Trego was a successful farmer in Ailen County for many years. When 
anything was accomplished on tlie farm in his county he deserved credit 
for a part of it. His industry and tenacity overcame difficulties that wouhi 
iiave defeated a le.ss i:etermined soul and as the years went by lie found 
himself climbing steadily up the ladder of succe.ss. But he was not doing 
as well as he wished. He was ambitious to accomplish more and in a 
different line. In his case "old man well enough" was not good enough 
and his old (|uality of determination prompted him to change his business. 
There seemed an opening in Huinb(jKit for a hardware business, in addi- 
tion to the two already established there. Merchandising is directly oppo- 
site in business principles to that of farming and this few farmers readily 
realize. Mr. Trego must have discovered this for his entrance upon it was 
signaled with success from the start. He purchased the small stock of C 
L. Rice who was doing a fair business with a new stock, and engaged in 
business in December, 1S98. To the surprise of his farmer friends Mr. 
Trego attracted business. Each quarter showed an increase over the pre- 
ceding one and each year a greater volume of business than the one before. 
It was soon discovered that E. \V. Trego was not only a successful farmer 
l)ut that he was a succe.ssful merchant as well. He even surpassed, in 
sub-'tantial earnings, his achievements upon the farm maintaining the 
same good credit and the same business integrity that characterized him as 
a farmer. 

E. W. Trego was born in Bucks County. Pennsylvania, July 4, 1861. 
He is a son of the late Dr. Albert Trego who came to Allen County in 1878 
and settled upon a farm in Salem township. The family started to Kansas 
from Mercer County , Illinois, but set out for the west from Bucks County, 
Pennsylvania. For many years the Tregos were identified with the 
Keystone vState, Lewis Trego, our subjecs's grandfather, being born 
therein. 

Dr. Albert Trego was born in 1S26. He was liberally educated, prac- 
ticed medicine from his farm in .-Mien County and died June 6, 1893. He 
was a man of good address, with an intellect .veil balanced and well ia- 
fjrmed and was one of the leading uitru of Allen County. He was an 
active Republican for many years and his name was mentioned in 
connection with the nomination for the State Legislature He married 
Mary Etta Linton, who survives him. Their six children were: EUerslie W., 
.\lbert, of Leadville, Colorado; Anna, wife of Mahlon Trego, of Harvey 
County, Kansas, and Mrs. Minnie Kirk, of Bucks County, Pennsylyania, 
surviving. Two are deceased. 

E. W. Trego was educated in the common schools. His life, until his 
entr}' into the mercantile business, was entirely rural, where he learned 
and practiced the principles of industry. He conducted the farm operations 
in Salem township twenty years and took up his residence in Humboldt to 
be near his business. He was married July 19, 1885, to Miry E. Yeager, 
daughter of Champ C. Yeager, of Allen County, whose ancestors were iden- 
tified with Shelby County. Kentucky, but were originally from Madison 
County, \'irginia. Mrs. Trego was a successful teacher in Allen County 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. I85 

Tnany j'ears and was one of a family of tliree surviving cliildren. Mr. and 
Mrs.' Trego's children are: Willis A., lulvvard C. , Homer, Linton I^. and 
Elma. 

As a citizen of Allen County Ellerslie Trego is one of the best. He 
inherited a desire to be in politics and he has permitted no opportunity to 
pass for its gratification. Until the reform wave swept over Kansas he was 
a Republican, as staunch as the UKJst unyielding, but his opinions on pub- 
lic questions changed in 1891 and he joined forces with the Peoi)les party. 
He was elected trustee of his township four times and was the nominee for 
County Clerk on the Populist ticket in 1893 and made the race against 
James Wakefield. He has been one of the chief advisors of his party, in 
county matters, during many campaigns. 



JOHN MANBECK — Pennsylvania has furnished Allen and other coun- 
^J ties of Kansas with many sturdy and industrious citizens who.se efforts 
have added much toward the development of the State and in few instances, 
in Allen County, has such citizenship been more conspicuousl)' apparent 
than in that of John Manbeck, of Marmaton township. It is scarce twenty 
years since he settled his family upon the northeast quarter of .section g, 
town 25, range 20, then a piece of unbroken prairie, and now his is one of 
the attractive, homelike and productive farms in the county. Mr. Man- 
beck was iKjt enjoying a great degree of financial independence when he 
came to Kansas and he paid the railroad for his land in installments. At a 
time when he was nearing the plane of independence and was well ahead 
of his pursuers in the race of life, fire destroyed his barn and contents and 
struck him a paralizing blo<v. His horses, mules and his swine have 
thrived to aid him in retrieving these losses and he has replaced the build- 
ings with larger ones than before. 

Mr. Manbeck was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, March 
13, '855. His father, Enoch Manbeck, was a thrifty and successful farm- 
er, born in the same county in 1820 and died there in 1896. The latter 
was a soldier in the Civil war, in a Pennsylvania regiment, while his son, 
Lucien, saw much hard service in the campaign around Richmond, was at 
the blowing-up of the Petersburg mine and, being cajjtured, was impris- 
oned at Salisbury, North Carolina. Enoch Manbeck was the great-grand- 
son of an Irfshman who settled in Pennsylvania among the Germans and 
lost thereby the identity of his nationality. 

Enoch Manbeck married Harriet Straus, who still survives. Their 
children were: Lucien Manbeck, of Pennsylvania; Ivmina, wife of Franz 
Seltzer, of I^ennsylvania; William Manbeck, of the home county; Charles, 
deceased; John Manbeck; Barbara, wife of Samuel Miller; James, deceased; 
Mary, wife of George Horn and Ida, who married George Seidle, of 
Schuylkill County. 

John Manbeck worked with diis father till his majority. He was 



lS6 HISTORY OF ALLKX AND 

placed on a monthly salary then for a year at ten and fifteen dollars a 
month and the second j-ear he rented land and did his own managing. He 
farmed on "the halves" three years and was then induced to visit the west. 
He was so impressed with the situation in Allen County, Kansas, that he 
bought his land and moved his family hither soon thereafter. 

Mr. Manbeck was niaried in 1S76 to Mary Dreibeldeis, a daughter of 
Daniel Dreibeldeis. The Dreibeldeis children are: Charles, Frank and 
Irwin Dreibeldeis, of Marion County, Iowa; Tessie, wife of William Irvin, 
of Moran, and Aaron Dreibeldeis, of Kansas City, Missouri. 

Mr. and Mrs. Manbeck's children are: Gertie, wife of Charles Collins, 
of Kimball, Kansas; and Neda, Annie, Ida, Clara, Dora, Edward, William, 
Charles and John Manbeck Jr. 

For many years have the Manbecks been identified with the Evangeli- 
cal church. Our subject is a steward and is treasurer of the Golden Yalley 
congregation. He is a Republican and a pronounced enemy of the doc- 
trines of modern Democracy. 



T 



OHN H. ARMEL — It is surprising what an active part young men play in 
*-' the business affairs of a community, and among the leading representa- 
tives of commercial interests in Humboldt is John H. Armel, who 
was born in Aurora, Indiana, on the third of January, 1864 His father, 
Daniel Armel, was a native ol Pennsylvania, and when a young man re- 
moved to the Hoosier State where he became acquainted with and married 
Miss Keturah Hare. In 1864 they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where 
the father became connected with the porkpacking industry, continuing in 
that business until 1872, when he came to Kansas and purchased a large 
tract of land southwest of Humboldt. In 1877 he removed his family to 
this State, located on his farm and engaged in the stock business, raising 
and shipping cattle and other stock. That enterprise continued to claim 
his time and attention until his life's labors were ended in death. He 
passed away on the 9th of January. 1893, at the age of seventy-three years, 
Isut his widow is still living in Humboldt at the age of sixty-si.K. 

John II .\rmel spent the first fourteen years of his life in the State of 
his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas. 
He assisted his father in business and after the latter's death assumed the 
management of the business. In 1895 he removed to Humboldt, where he 
began dealing in real estate in connection with the stock business and to 
the dual pursuit he now devotes his energy, managing both with ability. 
In 1894 Mr. Armel was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Amos, a 
daughter of G. A. Amos, of Humboldt. Their marriage has been blessed 
with three children: Robert, Nat and Dorothy. Throughout the years of 
his manhood Mr. Armel has been connected with business affairs in Allen 
County and his capable management and keen discernment have placed 
him in an enviable position in commercial circles. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 87 

TOEL MOORE O'BRIEX— The spirit of self-help is the source of all 
*-' genuine worth in the iudvidual and is the means of bringing to man 
success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It 
illustrates what is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determina- 
tion form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources, 
looking for no outside aid or support, J. M. O'Brien has risen from a posi- 
tion of comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the commercial 
world, and as proprietor of a leading mercantile establishment in Hum- 
boldt he is widely and favorably known. 

He is numbered among the native sons of Allen County, his birth 
having occurred on a farm two miles north of Humboldt, on the loth of 
November, 1872. There he spent his boyhood days, working in the fields, 
the meadows or the garden. His education was acquired in tne common 
schools and in the high school at Chanute, and from the latter institution 
he was graduated. He also attended Baker University, a two years 
course in commercial business, after which he gained a certificate with the 
signature of President Quayle attached. Going to Chanute he obtained a 
clerkship in a grocery store and there put to the practical test the knowledge 
which he had gained. He afterward accepted a position as a traveling 
salesman and when he had saved up five hundred dollars he began business 
on his own account, purchasing a small stock of groceries. From the 
beginning his trade .steadily and constantly increa.sed. His kind and oblig- 
ing manner and his honorable dealing won him a liberal support and his 
increasing trade forced him to secure larger quarters and increase his facili- 
ties. He began business in Humboldt in 1897 ^"d is now housed in a large 
store building, with a stock valued at-three thousand dollars. In 1899 his 
sales amounted to five times his stock and in 1900 to seven times that amount. 
His success is due to the fact that he has ever been most diligent and enter- 
prising: that he has always secured the benefit of the discount on bills, 
never allowing them to mature; and that a most straightforward business 
policy has been followed by him. 

He has served as superintendent of the M. E. Sabbath school five 
years and is connected with the church as treasurer and trustee. He was 
president of the Fraternal Aid Association two years. 



i^^HARLES C, THOMPvSON has passed his thirty-two years in Allen 
^-^ County. He settled in Marmaton township, before it was estalished 
and he has grown old in the citizen service in a State that has been both a 
surprise and a disappointment. He came to the county March 3, 1869, and 
found three dead claims which he proceeded to contest the title for. He 
re-entered them and some years after it was thought his title was surely 
coming to him he was notified that the Government had cancelled his 
claim, with other lands, in favor of the Gulf Railway Company. It was 



r88 HISTORY OK ALLEN ANTD 

some years before he got this matter reversed and the land again subject to 
homestead entry and it was done through an act of Congress. The Kansas 
delegation in Congress at that time was of so little imjxjrtance that it could 
not even get the attention of that body long enough to present a grievance 
of this character and matters looked desperate for a time. Finally Con- 
gressman Dick Yates, of Illinois, introduced a bill explaining the situation 
and asking for the reinstatement of the claims of actual settlers and it was 
done without delay. This action confirmed the belief that Mr. Thomp- 
son would receive patents for his land and he did without much further 
delay. 

Mr. Thompson left Marion County. Ohio, December 8, iS68, for Kan- 
sas. He ran into Pleasant Hill, Missouri, by rail and remained there till 
spring. He purchased an ox team for $150.00 and started out in Febru- 
ary, through the mud, for .-Vllen County, and reached here^as above stated 
after many trying and vivid circumstances. He had a supply of funds to 
sustain him through the first sea.son and, as it happened, he got a crop. 
His faith in Kansas became more and more firmly established as each suc- 
ceeding year yielded its abundance and there was little to mar the family 
happiness ami comfort till the "bug year" of 1874. With this t.xception 
there has been a constant era of material improvement in onr subject's con- 
dition since his advent to the State. He owns one of the good farms in 
Marmaton township, containing 160 acres and situated in section 10, town 
25, range 21, and an 80 acres in section 4. 

Mr. Thompson was born in Marion County, Ohio, November 2, 1840. 
His father, Edward Thompson, was born in Virginia in 1802 and, in 1812, 
went into Kentucky with his parents. The family came north into Ohio 
some years afterward and six miles east of Springfield, that State, Thos. 
Thompson, our subject's grandfather, is buried. The latter's children 
were; John, Edward, Madison, who died near Lodi, Illinois; Thomas; 
Xancy, who married James Nephews; and Sarah, wife of Josiah Olcott. 

Edward Thompson married Ellen F'oose aVid both are buried in Ohio. 
Seven of their nine children grew up, viz.; Jane, wife of S. H. King, re- 
sides in Marion County, Ohio; Isabel, who died in 1899, was the wife of 
Benjamin Sharpless; Thomas, died in 1899; Sarah E., married Paul Sharp- 
less, of Huron County, Ohio; Edwaid, in Arappahoe County, Colorado: 
Ann, wife of John Duffy, of Kenton, Ohio, and Charles C. of this 
sketch. 

Charles C. Thompson was reared amid rural surroundings and ac- 
(juired very little school training. He was married in Marion County, 
Ohio, March 14, 1865, to Matilda Messenger, a daughter of Orrin Messen- 
ger. The children of this union are: Minnie, who died in 1880, Edith, 
wife of Dan Hoadley, has a son, Harry Hoadley; Homer; Evaline, Edwin and 
Orrin all died of diphtheria in 1S80; Charles, Wayne, Edna and Sarah. 
Homer Thompson lives in Marmaton township, Allen County, and has two 
children. Bertha and Percy Thompson. 

In April, 1861, Mr. Thompson enlisted in Company H, 4th Ohio in- 
fantry, three months service. He was discharged for disability but was 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 89 

again under arms as a member of the State militia and was called out in 
the defense of Cincinnati from Confederate invasion. 

In politics the old line of Thomp.sons were Clay Whigs. Chas. C. 
Thompson was a Republican till the Peoples Party movement came along. 
He had discovered a line of proceedure in the practices of the old party 
which did not seem to him just and proper toward the masses of the people 
and he cast his political fortunes with the new party. 



T\TELSON J. SHIVELY, of Marmaton township, is one of Allen Coun- 
-^ ^ ty's progressive and prosperous farmers. He settled here in 1882 
and was an emigrant from Marshall County, Indiana. He was born in 
Elkhart County, Indiana, January 16, 1853. His father, Isaac Shively, of 
Osage township, Allen County, was born in Ohio in 1830 and went 
into Elkhart County, Indiana, in early life. He married Catharine 
Leer, who died in Allen County, Kansas, in 1886 at the age of fifty-one 
years. Their children are: Nelson J.; Fernandes, deceased; Amos, of 
Osage township; Edward; Charles and Alice Shively of Elreno, Ok- 
lahoma. 

Our subject began life at about eighteen years of age as a farmer and 
has continued it since with varying degrees of success. He was induced 
to come west by the heralding cry of "cheap lands" and in 1882 he brought 
his small amount of resources into Allen County and made a payment on 
his first eighty acres of land, in Osage township. He exchanged this for 
the southwest quarter of section 20, town 24, range 21 and took on a debt 
of sixteen hundred dollars. This he has succeeded in liquidating and 
has purchased an additional eighty acres and has the whole clear of in- 
cumbrance. 

Mr. Shively was married in Marshall County, Indiana, February 6, 
1879, to Ella Caldwell, a daughter of Archibald Caldwell, who went into 
the Hoosler State from Virginia. Mrs. Shively died February 13, 1899, 
leaving five children: Grace A,, Opal, Alice, Carl and Harry. 

Mr. Shively is one of the leading and active Republicans of Allen 
County. He frequents county conventions ot his party and can be de- 
pended upon not only to support the whole ticket but to work for its 
success at the polls. He is identified with the Osage Valley Baptist 
church. 



1~^R. GEORGE B. LAMBETH, of Moran, Allen county, can justly and 
-• — ' rightfully be regarded as a pioneer Kansan. All but seven years of 
his life have been spent in and all he is and all he possesses are of Kansas. 
He was born in Bolivar, Tennessee, July 22, 1855, and the next year his 



[90 HISTORY OK AI.LICX AND 

father migrated to Beiitonville, Arkansas, from which point, owing to the 
outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, he fled northward and settled in Bourbon 
county, Kansas. Allison G. Lambeth, our subject's father, volunteered 
his services to General Blunt, as a scout, and aided in piloting that officer 
into northern territory. The General's army was raised and made up of 
loyal men of that region, largely, and Mr. Lambeth's family accompanied 
it out of the Confederacy. 

The late A. (5. Lambeth was born in Randolph county. North Caro- 
lina, in 1828. His ancestors have resided in the United States since early 
in the nineteenth century and are of Knglish origin. Mr Lambeth was a 
highly educated and cultured gentleman and was, in early life, a professor 
of languages in ICmery and Henry College in Virginia. The last years of 
his active life were spent on the farm in Bourbon county and he died in 
Moran Augu.st 4, 1899. 

Dr. Lambeth's mother, nee Sarah J. Williams, still survives. She 
was born at LaGrange, Tennessee, in 1830, and is of English stock. Her 
children are: Mrs. Jennie Mulley, of Fort Scctt, Kansas; Dr. G. B. 
Lambeth: Henry W. Lambeth, a prominent farmer and Trustee <>f Marma- 
ton township, Allen county: Hugh N. Lambeth, near Blackwell, Okla- 
homa, and J. Braxton Lambeth, of Allen county. 

Dr. Lambeth was a student in the district schools of Bourbon county 
in his j'outh. He was a farmer till he passed his majority, when he 
.selected medicine as a profession. He read with Dr. A. L. Fulton, now a 
prominent surgeon of Kansas City, Missouri, and did some practice even 
before he finished his three j-ears' reading. He entered the St. Louis 
Medical College in 1876 and spent four years there. The year 1888-9 he 
attended the Kansas City, Mis.souri, Medical College and finished its course 
to graduation. 

Dr. Lambeth located in Moran and opened an office in 18S4. He 
took rank early as a successful practitioner and, w^ith the lapse of time, his 
practice has extended to all the country, for miles around Moran, and with 
it his reputation as a genial and pleasant gentleman. 

Dr. Lambeth was married in Bourbon county, Kansas, July 2, 1884, to 
Mary G. Tennyson, a daughter of the pioneer Rev. Rutherford Tennyson. 
The latter was born January 10, 1804, and died in 1872. He came into 
Kansas from Tennessee and was married to Marv T. Robinson. Their 
children are: Wesley Tennyson, a prominent and successful farmer near 
Ihiiontown, Kansas; Levi Tennyson, of Prairie Lee, Texas; Mrs. S. B. 
Holt, of Bourbon county, Kansas; Mrs. L L Brown, of Ozark, Missouri, 
and Mrs. Lambeth. Mr. Tennyson came to Kansas in 1855 and his family 
was one of the most widely known and honorable in Bourbon county. 

The Dr. and Mrs. Lambeth's children are: George S., Alfred T.. 
Phyllis J., Hugh W. and Ksther. 

AlH.son G. Lambeth, politically, allied himself first with the Whigs 
and then the Republicans hut his last presidential vote was cast for the 
candidate of the Chicago platform of 1896. Dr. Laml)eth first trained with 
the Republicans. In 1884, when modern Democracy first triumphed, he 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I9I 

voted the Democratic ticket and has espoused that cause since. He 
was appointed a pension examiner for Allen coixnty and served through 
Cleveland's second administration, and, for twelve years, he has been local 
surgeon for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Raihvay Company. 



T~AOITGLAS ARNETT, of lola, father of the lola Telephone Company 
-' — ' and one of Allen county's pioneers, came to Ida in the fall of i860. 
He was then a child of two years and was, then, the youngest member of 
his father's family. James B. Arnett, his father, began his westward 
migration from Pike county, Illinois, a few years before the Civil war, and 
went to Fort Smith, Arkansas. In this city our subject was born Novem- 
ber 21, 1858. Being a man of the North the near approach of hostilities 
between the two opposing .sections of our country caused him to return to 
the object of his sympathies hence, his advent to Kansas. J. B. Arnett 
was born in Pike county, Illinois, November 8, 1834, ^nd was essentially a 
farmer until his removal to the Rocky Mountain country where the stock 
business has engaged his attention. 

The paternal grandfather of "Doug" Arnett was John B. Arnett, who 
died in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His native state was probably Virginia. 
He emigrated westward to Pike county, Illinois, early in the history of 
that state and in 1858 took up his residence at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Of 
his ten children James B. Arnett was the tenth. The latter married, in 
Pike county, Illinois, Mary A., a daughter of William .Mitchell. Mrs. 
Arnett died in lola in September 1863, leaving an only child, J. Douglass 
Arnett. J. B. Arnett married for his second wife Hattie Barton. Their 
children are: Carrie, wife of William Mason, of Walla Walla, Washing- 
ton; Ella, who married Jesse Brown and resides in Arizona, and Adda, wife 
of John Whitlow, of Arizona. 

Doug. Arnett has carved out his own destiny. He has taken care of 
himself since he was fifteen years of age. He was small of his age, and 
fond of horses, and for a livelihood he rode races at the fairs and old .settlers 
will remember the two familiar faces who jockied the steeds at Allen 
county's first fairs, viz: Doug. Arnett and Rice Todd. Whatever came in 
Doug's way to do whereby he could turn a dollar legitimately he took ad- 
vantage of. While he worked he schemed and between the two he found 
it not a difficult matter, this bread-winning contest. At twenty-one years 
of age he married — made the only mistake of his life — and moved onto a 
farm in Linn county, Kansas. This vocation was too slow and plodding 
for his makeup and he returned to his old home and engaged in the dray 
business. Arnett's dray was about the first regular one on the streets of 
lola. It was only an ordinary affair, for the business didn't justify any 
other, and he did the driving, loading and coUectinj; all himself and was 
not at all busy. He engaged in the livery and bus business, later, and 
followed the two with some profit about fifteen months. He then took the 



192 HISTORY OF ALLKN AXI) 

agency for the Standard Oil Companv at lola and expanded tlieir business 
in Ailen and adjoininj:; connties for nine years. Before severinj^ his rela- 
tions with the Standard people he had conceived the idea of establishing a 
telephone sy: teni in lola and had actuallv installed the plant in 1898. He 
secured the franchise for the company in 1897 »"cl started his exchange in 
his residence, on West Madison avenue, with forth-three 'phones. The 
grocery of C. M. Richards was the only patron in that line of business when 
he first started but the rapidity with which all the merchants got into line 
was remarkable. The business of the companay grew so rapidly that the 
domestic quarters were sonn found to be too cramped and the exchange 
was moved into the Apple building on South Washington. It has now 
two bundled and fifty working 'phones and is keeping pace with the 
growth and extension of the city. In 1900 Harmon Hobart purchased a 
half interest in the system and the two partners constitute a worthy and 
popular company. 

Mr. Arnett married his second wife, Lillie McKinley, in October 1897. 
Her father, J. B. McKinley, came from Pennsylvania to Kansas before the 
war and was a soldier in the Ninth Kansas. 

Our subject is an Odd Fellow, a Pythian Knight and a Rebekah. His 
belief in woodcraft has led him to join that order, also. 

Doug Arnett has been one of Ida's tenacious citizens. His efforts 
have always been rewarded here and aside from this fact he has always felt 
an interest in the city and her people. While he is in business for profit 
his earnings are not all devoted to his own use. He regards money only 
for the good that it will do, and, while he is not prodigal in his expendi- 
tures, any enterprise promising good for lola receives his substantial 
support. 

SAMUEL H. EVANS, a traveling salesman residing in Pleasanton, is 
numbered among the native sons of Kansas. He was born April 12, 
1S61, the second son of the late honored pioneei , John M. Evans, of Allen 
county. Reared in Geneva and lola, he secured a common school edtica- 
tion and then began work at herding cattle on the prairies near Geneva. 
After the faniih' removed from that place to lola he secured a clerkship, 
which was his first experience as a salesman and gave him the foundation 
knowledge and training which now fits him for his present business duties 
When the Missouri Pacific railroad was being builded through Allen 
county he worked with its surveyor on construction work, and later he was 
for a time with the firm of O. P. Northrup & Company, of lola. Subse- 
quently he secured a situation as manager of a store in Bronson, Kansas, 
and afterward filled similar positions in Blue Mound, Kansas. Eventually 
in 1 888 he accepted his present position as traveling salesman with the 
Ridenour Baker Grocery Company, of Kansas City, Missouri, and is now 
upon the road, being one of the trusted and capable representatives of that 
house. 

In March, 1884, Mr. Evans was married, the lady of his choice being 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I93 

Miss Carrie Ellis, of lola, a daughter of Seaman T. Ellis, who now resides 
in Oklahoma. Unto our subject and his wife have been born the following 
children: Brett M., Bruce E., Harr^- D., Margaret and Melvin, twins, 
and Robley D. They also lost twin daughters, Ruth and Reaa, who died 
in infancy. Mr. Evans, whom everyone knows as "Harry," has become 
popular with many of the patrons of the house which he represents and also 
has many friends in the city of his residence. His manner is genial, 
courteous and kindlj', — qualities which always win regard. 



'^ T^riLLIAM F. YOUNG, of Moian, Allen County, was born in Darke 
" ' County, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1856. His father, Elias 
Young, was born in Maryland, April g, 1811, and married Sophia Edwards, 
a native of Ohio. When a young man he learned the plasterer's trade,, 
which he followed for several years, after which he engaged in the milling 
business but followed farming many years previous to his removal to Kan- 
sas, in iSyo. He located on a farm in Osage township, Allen County, 
three miles north of Moran, where he resided until his death, which oc- 
curred in February, 1900, when he was eighty-nine years of age. His 
wife still survives him at the age of seventy-seven years, and is living on 
the old homestead. They had five children, namely: Martha, wife of 
Theodore Wright; Leanida, wife of W. C. Carter; Rebecca, wife of W. D. 
Young; and .Martin A., who is living with his mother on the old home- 
stead, while W. F. is the youngest of the family. 

Mr. Young, of this sketch, spent the first fourteen years of his life in 
the State of his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Kansas. He 
remained with his father until eighteen years of age and then went to Fort 
Scott to complete his education in the high school. He also attended the 
high school at lola and the academy at Geneva, Kansas, working on the 
farm by the month in the summer and, after completing his own mental 
training, teaching school in the winter. He followed that profession about 
three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Las Animas, Colo- 
rado, where he was engaged with a hardware, lumber and furniture firm 
for two years. Returning to Kansas he began business for himself in 
Moran as a dealer in groceries, feed and coal, carrying on that enterprise 
for nine or ten years. Since that time he has engaged in the real estate, 
insurance and loan business, and now handles much valuable property and 
writes a large amount of insurance annually. 

On the 17th of March, 1886, Mr. Young was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary Rucker, a native of Indiana, who came to Kansas with her 
parents. They have two children, Louis, a bright little daughter born 
January 9. 1S87, and Russell, born February i, 1890. In his political 
affiliations Mr. Young is a Republican and socially he is connected with 
Moran Lodge, No. 459, I. O. O. F. , and with the Knights and Ladies of 
Security. He and his wife have worked hard to .secure a good home of 



194 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

their own and are now comfortably situated, being able to enjoy many of 
tl'.e luxuries of life. Without the aid of capital or influential friends he 
-tarted out upon his business career and has steadily worked his way up- 
ward through determined and earnest purpose until now he occupies a 
creditable position among the honorable bu-iiuess men of his adopted county. 



JOHN R. ANDERSON, one of the large cattle dealers of Allen and 
Bourbon counties and a member of the firm of Love & Ensminger, is 
one of the pioneers of Kansas. In April 1856 his father brought the 
family to Bourbon county and took up land in Franklin township. He 
was from Green county, Missouri, but was originally from Lee countv, 
\'irginia. In the latter place our subject was born October 4, 1839. His 
father, Charles Anderson was born in Tennessee in 1807 and died in 
Bourbon county, Kansas, in 1863. The family left Virginia in 1853 and 
made the trip to Missouri with a yoke ol oxen, being two months on the 
road. 

The original Anderson, and the one who established the family in 
America, was John Anderson, an Irishman and a blacksmith. His burial 
place is unknown but his wife is buried at Xenia, Kansas. 

Charles Anderson married Anna Hester who died in 1893 at the age of 
eightv-one years. Her children are: Mary, widow of T. L. Charles, of 
Lamed, Kansas; William C, of Xenia, Kansas; Catherine, deceased, mar- 
ried Mr. Adkinson; John R.; Elizabeth, wife of A. Williams, of Xenia, 
Kansas, and Letitia, deceased, who married J. F. Davis. 

Our subject was .seventeen years old when he came to Kansas. He 
aided his father in opening a new farm and herded and drove cattle for 
several years. He totik a claim himself when he reached the required age 
and was interested in its initial development and improvement when the 
war broke out. He enlisted first October 10. 1861, in Company I, Third 
Kansas Cavalry and was transferred to the Sixth Kansas. He was mus- 
tered out of the latter regiment in September 1862, and, a year later, re- 
enlisted in the Fourteenth Kansas. During his first enlistment Mr. Ander- 
son fought bushwhackers in Missouri and the Indian Territory. While 
with the Fourteenth he was in the battle at Prairie DuChene, Arkansas, 
the chief one in which he participated. He was mustered out of service 
in June 1865 and returned to his home in Kansas. His history for thirty- 
five years can be told in a few words. His early training led him into the 
stock business soon after the war and for many years nothing else has 
claimed his attention. When the firm of which he is a member was formed 
he was chosen for the active management of its affairs. So extensive has 
been its operations and so closely has Mr. Anderson been confined to duty 
that the strain is telling upon him and the year 1901 will close his connec- 
tion with the business and he will rest. 

In politics Mr. Anderson is a Democrat. He became a follower of the 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I95 

faith when it required courage to be a Democrat, but he outrode the storm 
and has seen his party in full control of National affairs since the war. 
His first presidential vote he ca.st for Douglas and he cast his second vote 
for Mr. Lincoln because he did not think it a good plan "to swap horses in 
the middle of a stream." He has been County Commissioner, a position 
he filled with ability and credit. 

Mr. Anderson was first married in Bourbon county in 1866. His wife 
was Louisa Williams. She died in 1889 with twelve children surviving: 
Marsh D.; Elsie, widow of George Johnson; Allen T., of Nebraska; Robert 
and Cannon D., of Bourbon county; Warren, of Nebraska; Ralph and 
Ronald B., of Bronson, and Alma Lean and Grover C. Anderson. In 1890 
Mr. Anderson was married to Lizzie Campbell, his present wife. 

Mr. Anderson is a Workman, a Mason, an Eastern Star, a member of 
the order of Knights and Ladies of Security and of the G. A. R. post at 
Bronson. 



IV yTICHAEL F. KERN, of Humboldt township, Allen county, was born 
^^■*- in the province of Wurtemberg, Germany, July 2, 1833. He was a 
son of John Adam Kern, who emigrated to the LTnited vStates in 1859 and 
settled in the state of Michigan. In Washtenaw county his 
parents died, the mother in 1869 and the father ten years later. Eight 
children were born to this worthy couple, four of whom survive, viz: Lena, 
who married Carl Haddock and resides in Lawrence, Kansas; Catherine, 
wife of Andrew Reule, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; John M. and Michael 
F. Kern. 

The subject of this sketch resided five years in Michigan and then set 
out for the frontier. He came down into Allen county during the war and 
preempted the land upon which he has since resided. He was acquainted 
with the methods of successful farming and began at once to devote him- 
self thereto. The improvement of his premises also received his attention 
and in his thirty-five j-ears of citizenship he has expanded and developed 
materially to the extent of a substantially improved, high-cultivated and 
exceedingly productive two hundred and forty acre farm. 

As a feeder and grower of cattle and other marketable stock Mr. Kern 
is well known in southern Allen county. For many years his farm has 
furnished a market for much surplus grain of the community and his ex- 
tensive interests demand the employment of labor throughout the year. 
His home presents the appearance of neatness and cleanliness. Everything 
has its proper place and, when not in use, is found in its place. He 
planned his improvements for convenience and the arrangement of his 
barns, sheds and fences indicate the perfection he attained. 

Michael F. Kern was married in October 1865 to Sarah W. Schmidt, 
whose father, Henry Schmidt, was born in Hanover, Germany. Mrs. 
Kern was born in Lafayette county, Missouri. 

During the war Mr. Kern belonged to the state militia, doing guard 



196 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

duty along the border, and upon several occasions was called into the field 
to drive out the invading rebels ami bushwhackers. In politics he has 
been without aspirations. While he has been interested in all political 
controversies it has been the interest of a citizen and not of a candidate. 
He affiliates with the Republicans and is regarded in some measure as a 
controUina' influence in local elections. 



C.\RLOS P. KEITH, of Moran, whose advent to Allen county num- 
bers him with the pioneers of Marmaton township, made settlement 
upon the broad prairie on section 30, township 24, range 21, then within 
the municipal boundaries of Osage township. October 24, 1S6S. was the 
day he drew up to his future abiding place and the dwelling he moved into 
was one of his own construction and measured 16x24 feet, one story, a com- 
modious and inviting structure at that time. 

Mr. Keith came to Kansas from Illinois. He was born in Huron 
county, Ohio, December 2, 1837, ^"'' '" ^^he spring of 1854 went into Ogle 
county Illinois, from w'hence he came to Kansas. He is a son of Carlos 
Keith who was born November 13, 1797, at Barnard, Vermont. The latter 
accompanied his parents into Ohio at a very early date and was there mar- 
ried April 22, 1824, to Elvira, a daughter of Munson Fond, born in Bridge- 
port, Vermont, October 5, 1806. The Keiths are among the original 
Americans. They are descended from Scotch ancestors who settled in 
New England and whose posterity aided in the establishment of inde- 
pendence in our country. The Ponds also possess this military distinction 
for Munson Pond was of that band of patriots who marched from Lexington 
to Yorktown in the days of "seventy-six." Carlos Keith was a soldier of 
the war of 1812. In civil life he devoted his energies to the farm. He 
followed his son to Kansas and died in lola December 21, 1S72. April 4, 
1S70, his wife died. Of their children Carlos P. is the fourth child. 

OTir subject had fair opportunities as a boy. His father operated a 
grist-mill on the head waters of Huron River, in addition to his farm, and 
in this Carlos Keith spent some of his early life. He was educated, liber- 
ally tor his day, in the countr}- schools and did not separate from the 
parental home till he was married. Until his semi-retirement from the 
farm his was a life of persistent and continued activity. The farm and its 
auxiliary enterprises have received his greatest care and most strenuous 
efforts. 

December 24. i860, Mr. Keith was married to Lnccna Shoemaker, a 
daughter of Benjamin Shoemaker, from Perry, New York, a blacksmith 
and farmer. The surviving children of this union are: Dessie, wife of 
William J. Rumbel of Moran; Harold E., one of the young farmers of 
Marmaton township, and Miss Mabel C. Keith, a teacher in the Moran 
schools. 

The year 1868 would seem not to have been an opportune time for 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I97 

■settlers without means to enter a new country. The necessities of life were 
almost beyond the reach of the poor and life in those families could be 
sustained by the most ceaseless and interminable labors. Corn was worth 
two dollars a busliel, kerosene seventy-five cents a gallon, flour six dollars 
a hundred, poor hay nine doUans a ton and such a luxury as calico was 
almost too high to indulge in. Mr. Keith was one of the poor settlers. 
His inventory, upon his arrival in Allen county, included a team and 
wagon, a few dollars and a wife and three children. While engaged in the 
initial steps in the improvement of his own farm he earned the wherewith 
to buy supplies for his family by aiding other old settlers in doing theirs. 
He was not particular as to the kind of work, nor as to the price, but both 
were generall}' to his liking. As time went on his claim took on the ao- 
pearance of a home and when, in late years, he erected his substantial and 
permanent buildings the whole farm of one hundred and eighty six acres 
presented an appearance unexcelled on the Fort Scott road. In 1892, after 
a residence of twenty-four years, Mr. Keith left the farm to the care of his 
son, Harold E., and took up his residence in Moran. Here, on November 
22, igoo, Mrs. Keith died, suddenly. She was a consistent member of the 
Presbyterian church and was a loyal companion of a worthy husband for 
nearly forty years. 

In politics C. P. Keith is a Republican. His first presidential vote 
was for Lincoln and he has continued in the faith of the fathers till the 
present. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity and is regarded wher- 
ever known, as a gentleman of truth, character and patriotism. 



TAMES WILSON — To say that a man is self made indicates in a few 
*-' words a career of usefulness and activity, and it suggests a youth in 
which few privileges have been enjoyed and a manhood of active effort in 
which the trials and obstacles of life have been overcome by determined 
purpose. Such indeed has been the career of James Wilson, one of the 
successful farmers of the county, his home being in Logan township. 

He was born at Deerfield, Portage County, Ohio, February 3, 1841. 
His father, James Wilson, was a native of Dover County, Pennsylvania, 
and married Miss Elizabeth Donahue, a native of Ireland ,who came to 
America during her early girlhood The father followed the occupation of 
farming as a life work, and died September 21, 1880. at the age of sixty- 
eight years. His wife passed away in 1863 at the age of forty-four. They 
were the parents of eight children, six of whom are yet living, namely: 
Mary Ann, the wife of Robert McClure, of Ohio; Jesse, who is living in 
Allen County; James; Mrs. Margaret Turner, of New Falls, Ohio; Andrew, 
who is living in Minnesota, and Leanna Wilson, of Ravenna, Ohio. Those 
who have passed away are Ellen J. and William. The latter was a mem- 
ber of the regular army and was killed by the Indians in Dakota, in 1S66, 

Mr. Wilson of this review spent the first nineteen years of his life in 



I<)S HISTORY OF ALLEX AND 

the State of Illinois where he secured work as a farm hand, having gained 
practical experience in the fields by assisting his father in the cultivation 
of the old home place. He was thus employed until the Civil war broke 
out when in June, 1861, he enlisted for three years' service as a member 
of Company D, Twenty-fifth Illinois infantry, being honorably discharged 
in September, 1864. He participated in many of the most sanguinary en- 
gagements of that struggle, including the battles of Missionary Ridge, 
St )ne River, Chickaniauga, Keuuesaw nijuntain and Peach Tree creek. 
He went to Knoxville with Sherman to relieve Burnsides, and again 
joined the main array at Resaca preparatory to entering upon the Atlanta 
campaign. When the troops reached Atlanta the term of service of his 
regiment had expired and with his comrades he was sent home to be dis- 
charged. He was exceptionally fortunate in his military e.xperiences, being 
never wounded or captured throughout the three years of his association 
with the boys in blue upon the battlefields of the South. 

After the war Mr. Wilson went to Ohio and visited his parents, and 
then returned to Illinois. The year of 1869 witnessed his arrival in this 
State where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres upon which he 
has since resided, although its boundaries have been many times extended 
by additional purchases until he is now the owner of seven hundred and 
forty-nine acres of land. He grazes his cattle on the fine pastures of his 
own domain and he has ample sheds which shelter grain and stock. He 
has one of the finest farms of the county and is pleasant!}- 1 )cated five miles 
west of Humboldt. He carries on his farming pursuits on an extensive 
scale and is feeding about one hundred head of cattle and hogs each year. 
He has been very successful in the raising of cattle, and his large opera- 
tions along this line have enabled him to not only utilize as feed all of the 
crops which he raises but also to furnish a good market to his neighbors, 
buying from them much of their corn. 

Mr. Wilson was married on the 4th of January, 1880, to Miss S.irah A. 
Berger, a daughter of Darius and Elizabeth (White) Berger, natives of 
Virginia and Indiana respectively, the former born March 21, 1S12, and the 
latter on the ist of January, 1816. The mother died in Iowa on the i6th 
of August, 1872, and soon after the father removed to Butler County, Kan- 
sas, where he died on the 12th of March, 1878. In their family were ten 
children: Mrs. Mary Lytle, w-ho is living in Toronto; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Richey, of Augusta, Kansas; Rebecca, wife of Robert Musgrave, of Hum- 
boldt. The deceased are: Charlotte, wife of W. J. King; Dr. J. Berger: 
Martha, wife of John King, and Daniel Berger who died in the army. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born three children: Willie J., born 
May 28. 1881, died in March, 1901; Florence L., born July 1, 1884 and 
Mary, born October 7, 18S8. 

Mr. Wilson is a Republican and has served as treasurer of his town- 
ship, but has never been an aspirant for the honors and emoluments of 
public office. He is a member of Vicksburg Post, No. 72, G. A. R., and 
thus maintains a pleasant relationship with his old comrades who wore the 
blue when the perpetuity of the I'nion was endangered. He is surely a 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 99 

self madi; man and as the architect of his prosperity he lias builded wisely 
and well. His business ability is widely recognized and has insured him a 
very ere litable position in financial circles, while his honorable course has 
commanded the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow men. 



OTARLING D. BRANDENBURG— For more than a quarter of a 
' — ' century has Starling D. Brandenburg tilled the soil and reaped the 
meadows of Allen County. He moved into a board shanty on practically 
a raw piece of land in section 16, township 25, ran^e 21. on the iSth of 
October, 1872, and began the initial -work of developing a farm. How 
well he has succeeded will be seen when it is stated that his farm is bound- 
ed by half section lines and its improvements exceed those of many of the 
largest farms in Allen County. 

Mr. Brandenburg came to Kansas from Tipton County, Indiana. He 
was born in Union County, Indiana, Nov. 5, 1840, and passed some of his 
early years in Wa\ ne County. His father was John Brandenburg, born 
near Baltimore, Maryland, March 22, 1809. In 1830 he came west and 
engaged in merchandising in Philomath, Union County, Indiana. He 
removed, some years later, to Wayne County and died near Centerville, 
November 6. 1861. 

The Brandenburgs of this branch were introduced into the United 
States by William H. Brandenburg who was born near Berlin, German}', 
emigrated to the new world and settled near Baltimore about 1780. In 
1801 he moved westward to Warren County, Ohio, and died near Lebanon 
in 1805. 

The mother of S. DeWain Bradenburg was Elizabeth Kidwell. Her 
father, the Rev. Jonathan Kidwell, was a Welchman and the original 
Universalist preacher of his district in Indiana. He issued three publica- 
tions devoted to the propagation of the doctrines of the Universalist church , 
one at Philomath, one at Cincinnati, Ohio, and one at Terre Hante, Indi- 
ana. The children of John. and Elizabeth Brandenburg were: Ann, wife of 
James Chapman, of Winchester, Indiana; Sarah J., of Chanute, Kansas; 
Emily, wife of Aaron Jones, of Chanute, Kansas; Starling D.,and Rebecca, 
who married James Jones, and resides in Neosho County, Kansas. 

Our subject received only a country school training in the woods of 
'Indiana. When the family home was broken up by the death of the father 
the son married and started life for himself. A pony and a sleigh, the 
resources of his days of frolic and courtship, were the sum total of his 
property with which to begin business. In the ten years which elapsed 
from his marriage to his advent to Kansas he had accumulated eight hun- 
dred dollars. With this and with his abundant energy he has maintained 
a steady increase from year to year. His large, room,' and handsome resi- 
dence, which he erected in 1898, his barns and his orchard and his pens of 



200 HISTORY OF AULKN AN1J 

Stock testify to the inanner in which lie has disposed of his time the past 
twenty-eight years. 

J.inuary i, 1S12, Mr. liran leiibiirg w.is nurried in Wayne County, 
Indiana, to Nancy Hehns, a daughter ol James Hchns, who, with a son. 
served through the Civil war. James Hehns married a Cleveuger, for his 
first wife and five of their children survive. By a second marriage three 
resulted. Isaiah Helms, of Hronson; Lacina Recknor, of Allen County; 
Samuel Helms, of Allen County, and Susan Laws, of Calaway County, 
Missouri, are some of these children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg's children are: Melvin F"., of Allen Coun- 
ty; William L.; Emma L,. , wife of John Tillery, of Allen County; 
Myrtle I. and Ivy May Brandenburg. 

The Brandenburgs were Democrats in politics, at all times, till the 
Peoples party was organized in 1S92 at which time our subject espoused 
their cause and has since acted with it. 



MRS. XAXCV H FISHER is one of the wealthy residents of Allen 
county and is numbered among its pioneer citizens, having come to 
this portion of the state at an early period in its upbuilding. She was born 
in Franklin county, Illinois, on the 13th of June, 1840, a daughter of 
Aaron Meal, a native of \'irginia. Her father was born April 28, 181 1, 
and in an early day he removed to Illinois in company with his parents, 
finding the Prairie state almost one vast undeveloped tract of land. The 
city of Chicago, whose growth is regarded as one of the miracles of the age, 
was then undreamed of, Fort Uearborn standing on its site as a protection 
against the Indians for the few white settlers who resided in that section of 
the country. Mr. Neal was reared upon the frontier amid the wild scenes 
of pioneer life, and after arriving at years of maturity married Elizabeth 
Clamppett, who was of Irish lineage. He was the owner of a horse and a 
sled and with them he hauled his few household effects to his little cabin 
on the frontier. He and his bride began their domestic life in true pioneer 
style. He was a very industrious and energetic man, and before his death 
had accumulated ten thousand dollars, which was considered a handsome 
competence in those days, and he was regarded as one of the rich men of 
his neighborhood. He died in the prime of life, passing away in 1855, at 
the age of forty-four years. His wife lived to the age of sixty and was 
called to her final rest in 1S75. 

This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, of whom two died 
in early life. The others were Moses, who is well known throughout Kan- 
sas and is a leading politician of the west, his home being now in Okla- 
homa; Mrs. F'annie Whiteside; Thomas J., who died in 1862; John A., who 
resides in Missouri; Mrs. Fisher; William, al.so a resident of Oklahoma; 
Mrs. Sarah Todd, deceased, and Robert, of Washington. 

Xancy E. Xeal, the fifth of the family, spent the days of her girlhood 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 201 

in the state of her nativity, and pursued her education in one of the old- 
time, log school houses, conning her lessons while sitting upon a rude 
bench without aback or a desk. When a \ oung lady of twenty years she 
came to Kansas to visit her Ijrother Mo.ses, who was then living in L,eaven- 
worth, and while there she became acquainted with Paul Fisher, a young 
man who had removed from Texas to Allen county, Kansas. They were 
married in 1862. A married life of thirty-five years was vouchsafed to 
them, Mr. Fisher taking his bride to his farm, three miles west of 
Humboldt. 

Mr. Fisher was a native of Ohio and removed from that state to Texas, 
whence he came to Kansas. F^or seven years he and his wife resided upon 
one farm, after which they spent three years in Humboldt. On the ex- 
piration of that period Mr. F'isher purchased a farm a mile from the town, 
on the river bottom, and for twelve years it was their place of abode, after 
which they again became residents of Humboldt, occupying one of the 
finest dwellings in the place. Mr. Fisher was a man of marked diligence- 
and executive ability and his indefatigable labor, guided by .sound judg- 
ment, enabled him to acquire very extensive realty holdings, so that he left 
to his family a handsome estate. He died on the 30th of December, 1897, 
at the age of seventy-five years, and thus the community lost one of its 
reliable and valued citizens, and his neighbors a faithful friend. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born six children, but three died in 
early childhood. The others are Katie, the wife of O. H. Stewart, presi- 
dent of the State Bank of Parsons, Kansas; Maggie, wife of L. P. Stover, 
County Surveyoi of Allen county; and Nannie, the wife of A. F. .McCarty, 
of Humboldt. 

Mrs. F'isher has always been a very energetic woman, and since her 
husband's death has given evidence of the possession of superior business 
and executive qualifications. She has very important business affairs, 
superintended by Mr. A. F. McCarty, and her efforts are attended with 
prosperity. After the estate was divided each of the daughters had one 
thousand acres of land while there remained to Mrs. F'isher, in addition to 
her larue farming interests, considerable business property in Humboldt 
and lola and her beautiful residence in Humboldt. She is one of the old- 
est residents of Allen county in years of continuous connection with this 
portion of the state, for she has lived here through thirty-nine years. She 
has therefore witnessed almost the entire development and upbuilding of 
southeastern Kansas for at the time of her arrival the homes were widely 
scattered and Indians were freciuently seen in. the neighborhood. Great 
changes have since been wrought, and as the population has increased the 
circle of Mrs. Fisher's acquaintances and friends has been continually en- 
larged. She enjoys the warm regard of many with whom she has come in 
contact, and well deserves representation in this volume among Allen 
county's leading citizens. 



202 HISTORY OF ALI.EX AND 

T UCIUS B. KIXNE, Moran's efficient post master and for many years 
-'— ^ a leading merchant of that city, is among the substantial and sterling 
citizens of Allen county. It is almost a score of years since he came 
amongst the people of Moran and since that September day in 1881 when 
he became an inhabitant of the town his life has been one even and 
straightforward career, devoted not only to his private needs but to the 
public interests, as well. He established a drug and grocery store in 
Moran when that village was in its infancy and became at once one of the 
central figures in the development and growth of one of the business centers 
of Allen county. 

By training Mr. Kinne is a western man, but a native of the east. He 
was born in Livingston count}\ New York, August 5, 1850. He was 
trained a merchant, for his father, Elias G. Kinne, passed a lifetime mer- 
chandising. In 1851 the latter moved his family to Van Buren county, 
Michigan, and resided in Paw Paw many years. In 1882 he died in Kala- 
mazoo count}-. He was born in the same county in New York as our 
subject, in 1815, and was a public spirited man and much interested in 
public affairs. He was a useful and honorable citizen and while his maiden 
vote was ca.st with the Democrats the issues of the war changed his opinions 
and he was ever afterward a Republican. 

The Kinne name was imported into New York from Ireland by Lyman 
Kinne, our subject's grandlather. He accompanied his children from New 
York to Michigan and died at Albion in 1864 at the age of ninety years. 
He was the father of two sons, Allison and Elias Kinne, and of the follow- 
ing daughters: Clarissa, who married Jonathan Rogers; Hannah, who 
married IClisha Goodrich; Phebe, wife of E. J. House, and Mary, who be- 
came .Mrs. Jedediah Holmes. 

Elias G. Kinne married Amanda Alvord, a daughter of Phinneas and 
Rachel (Lemon) Alvord. Their two children were sons; Lucius B. and 
Frank E. Kinne, deceased. Lucius B. Kinne grew up at Paw Paw, Mich- 
igan, and acquired his education in the public schools. Among his first 
efforts were those of a farmer, first as hired man and second as a tenant. 
He was engaged in business as a druggist in Texas, Michigan, for a time 
and upon coming to Allen county he put in the first stock of drugs in 
Moran. 

Mr. Kinne was early recognized as a man of sound judgment and of 
correct business principles. In spite of the opposition and of jealousy en- 
gendered because of success, he prospered and maintained his commercial 
standing unimpaired. This record, together with his known integrity had 
much to do with securing his appointment as receiver of the Moran Bank 
in 189S. His political activity and his intense loyalty to Republicanism 
and to McKinley, especially, placed him in line for the appointment as 
post master and in June 1897 he succeeded Charles Mendell as chief of the 
Moran post office. For many years he was a member of the Republican 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 203 

County Central Committee and the direction of matters political for Marma- 
ton township has been left to the care of him and his advisors. 

February 15, 1876, Mr. Kintie was married in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 
to Esther, a daughter of John S. Harrison, of the line of the first Benjamin 
Harrison, of Virginia. Mr. and Mis. Kinne's children are: Clare B., born 
October 7, 1877, is a registered pharmacist and looks after the drug depart- 
ment of the store; Lulu, born April 23, 1881; Bessie, born June 22, 1885, 
and Verle, born June 17, iSgo. 

In reviewing the life of a citizen for this work it is only possible to 
touch upon the chief events therein and to impress posterity with the domi- 
nant elements of his mental makeup. It will be seen that Mr. Kinne was 
a son of respected and honorable parents and that industry was his capital 
from early manhood. His accumulations have come by dint of toil and 
prudent management and his reputation established by right living and 
right conduct toward his fellow man. 



T TIRAM M. BURTIS— In New York the Burtis family has taken root 
-'- ■*■ and in the years which have followed since the original one landed 
in this country the family name has spread over the west. Piatt V. Burtis, 
one of this numerous family, was married to Miss Mary A. Freeman. Two 
children were the result of this union, Hiram M. Burtis, the subject of this 
sketch, born in Saratoga County, New York, August 8, 1848, and Margaret 
A. Cowles, now living in Harper County, Kansas. Piatt Burtis was one of 
the largest business men of his section of the State. His grandfather had 
been a large slave owner, but becoming convinced that slavery was wrong 
manumitted his slaves and allowed those who wished to to remain on his 
land until they accumulated enough to get a start in life. Piatt Burtis 
embarked in the carrying trade of the canals and soon owned a large num- 
ber of ves.sels which did a part of the carrying trade of the Erie canal. The 
panic coming on he was crippled seriously and, after paying all his obliga- 
tions, suspended business and with the remnants of his once ample fortune 
turned his face toward the west, settling in Illinois on a farm. The busi- 
ness reverses through which he had gone undermined his health and he 
was forced to turn over his property to his son. The wreck of his health 
found him also completely wrecked in fortune and the only heritage he was 
able to give his son was a good constitution and a debt. Young Hiram 
Burtis was not daunted by the prospects before him. He went to work 
with manly vigor to pay his father's debts and redeem the name. He 
went to woik in Kankakee County, at once farming and stock raising and 
after some years disposed of his effects and rnoved to Ottawa, Illinois, 
where he engaged in the hardware business. Three years afterward, in 
1880, he sold out the business and moved to Hastings, Nebraska. Here 
he lived but a short time and then came to Kansas, purchasing farms four 
miles southeast of lola. He lived here but two years when he moved to 



204 HISTORY OK AI.LEN AND 

Humboldt and again engaged in the implement and real estate business. 
In this business he was fairly prosperous and built up a good trade. In 
1892 he disposed of his implement stock and entered the real estate busi- 
ness and in this he is still engaged. Mr. Burtis has been a successful 
business man and although starting in life with the burden of debt he has 
succeeded in accumulating enough of the world's goods to place liim in easj- 
circumstances. 

January 26, 1869, Mr. Burtis was married to Miss Helen E. Snyder, a 
native of Illinois. Mrs. Snyder's father lives with them and is hale and 
hearty at the ripe age of eighty-three. To them have been born four chil- 
dren: Maggie A., wife of A. F. Fish; Chauncey H., married Irene Moore; 
Edith Maud, wife of S. S. Jackson, and Walter. 

Mr. Burtis is a member of the Fraternal Aid Society. Politically he 
is a Republican. 



FREDERICK \V. FREVERT— One of the successful business men of 
Humboldt is Frederick W. Frevert, whose father is Frederick Fre- 
vert, one of the pioneers of Woodson County, Kansas, whose history ap- 
pears herein. 

Our subject. is the eldest child and was born in Lee County, Illinois, 
March 20, 1857. A year after his birth his parents removed to Kansas, 
.settling in Wooason County. Mr. Frevert grew up on the farm and re- 
mained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. At this date 
he went to Humboldt and secured a position with the well known merch- 
ant, Moses Xeal, in his dry goods store, working two months for his board, 
when he was given a small salary. He remained with Mr. Neal six 
months when he secured a position as deputy postmaster under Mrs. Ella 
Kimball, and remained in the office during her term of office. Afterward 
he secured a clerkship of B. S. Smith with whom he remained for two years. 
He then formed a partnership with A. Wedin in the grocery business and 
the firm existed about two and a half years, being dissolved by the retire- 
ment of Mr. Wedin. Mr. Frevert has since conducted the business alone. 

Mr. Frevert was married in the fall of 1888 to Mrs. Ella Kimball, 
under whom he had served for six years as deputy postmaster. Mrs. 
Kimball is a daughter of E. C. Amsden, of one the early sheriffs of Allen 
County. Two children have been born to them, Frederick and Robert. 

Politically Mr. Frevert is a Democrat, but further than casting his 
ballot he has never taken any part in politics, 



TTONORABLE EDWARD D. LACEY, of Marraaton township, ex- 
-*- -'- Representative to the State Legislature and ex-County Commission- 
er has been a citizen of Allen County more than twenty-one j-ears. He 





~7^c 




WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 205 

came amongst us in the fall of 1S79 and purchased the northwest quarter of 
section 23, town 24., range 20, a piece of wild prairie belonging to the 
"Peck land." He was from Illinois and Illinois emigrants possess the 
energy and the industry to successfully combat the trials and obstacles 
always encountered in the settlement of a new country. Then it is not 
a matter of wonderment that his one-time pasture should rapidly take on 
the appearance of a well managed and well-improved farm. 

Mr. Lacey migrated to Kansas from Champaign County, Illinois, to 
which State he moved some time after the war. He was born in Jackson 
County, Michigan, June 23, 1843, and was reared in Licking County, 
Ohio. He was a son of Sandford Lacey who went into Michigan from New 
York and died in 1855. He married Louisa Parmelee and our subject is 
their first child. The latter grew up in the country and was educated in 
the district school. The elementary principles of an education were about 
all that could be acquired from that source, in the days before the war, and 
these Mr. Lacey secured and supplemented with practical experience in the 
warfare of life. His first efforts in the direction of individual independence 
were put forth the first year of the Civil war. He enli.sted August 12, of 
that year in Company A, 17th Ohio infantry. Col. J. M. Contiell. His 
regiment was mustered in at Zanesville and was ordered into Kentucky. 
Its second important engagement was the one at Prrryville, Kentucky, in 
October, 1862. Mr. Lacey was in the battle of Shiloh and in the Murfrees- 
boro fight, where he received a wound through the right thigh in the 
second day's engagement. He lay in the field hospital three months and 
was then sent to hospital No, 7, at Nashville. LTpon his recovery he was 
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps by orders of the War department. 
His command was the 15th regiment. Company F, and he wa'- Clerk in 
the Provost Marshal's office for nearly one year He was then transferred 
to Washington, D. C. , and, soon after, was ordered to Chicago where he 
acted as drill-master till his muster out of the service September 25, 1S64, 
The following lettei explains itself: 
"To All Whom It May Concern: 

'T cheerfully recommend Corporal Edward D. Lacev as an honest 
and upright young man, smart, intelligent, devoid of all bad habits, and 
in every respect a soldier and a gentleman. He has served in ray Company 
for ten months, the most of which time he has acted as sergeant. He has 
always performed his duty with credit to himself and the Company. He 
has been highly spoken of by all the ofiicers he has served under, is well 
posted in tactics, is a good drill master and would do honor to the service 
as a line officer. His descriptive list from his former Company, Company 
A, 17th Ohio infantry, shows that he was wounded in the right leg at the 
battle of Stone River, January i, 1863. Samuel McDonald, 

Second Lieutenant, Commanding Co. F, 15th Reg. V. R. C. 
Dated Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111., October 26, 1864." 

Having served his country in time of war more than three years, Mr. 
Lacey was content to return to civil life. He re-engaged in farming in Iro- 
quois county, 111., to which point his mother's family had removed during 



2o6 HISTORY OF ALLEK AND 

his absence. He w.is married there January 31, 1S67, to Mary E. Culbert- 
.son, a daughter of Joseph Culbertson, now a resident of lola. Mr. Cul- 
bertson was born in Ohio, in 1821, and was married to Pernetta Matthews. 
Mrs. Lacey is the fifth of eight children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Licey's children are: Joseph Lac;y, pastmister of 
Savonburg, Kansas, is married to Claudia Southard; Emma Lacey, who is 
the wife of Harry Keith, of Marmaton township; Reuben C. Lacey, of 
Marmaton township, is married to Rose Evans; Quincy E.. near Moran, 
is married to Daisy Eflin; Melvill, Pearl G. , and Bulah are with their 
])arents. 

Edward D. Lacey became a Republican long before he could vote. 
His first vote was cast while in the army. One of the first things he did 
upon reaching Allen County was to identify himself with the Republican 
organization of the county. His frank and earnest manner and his in- 
telligent bearing made him a valuable acquisition to the party and he soon 
took rank as one of its leaders. He was urged forward as soon as he could 
be prevailed upon to accept a nomination and was elected township trustee 
three terms. So conspicuously efficient were his services in this capacity 
that he was earnestly supported in his candidacy for the Legislature in 
1887. He was elected by a good majority and re-elected in 18S9, serving 
four years in all. He served on some of the important committees of the 
House and introduced House Bill No. 91, providing for the care of old 
soldiers, in indigency, outside of the Alms house. He was the alithor of 
some measures of local importance, only, and was always on the alert in 
the interest of wise and wholesome laws for the State. He was on the 
Joint Committee with Murray in preparing the Prohibition law, now in 
operation, and was one of its earnest supporters. 

The .same year he retired from the office of Representative Mr. Lacey 
was nominated by his district for County Commissioner and was elected. 
He was again elected in 1895 and was the Board's Chairman the last four 
years of his .service. One thing was especially characteristic of Mr Lacey's 
public service. He was always well enough informed to have a decided 
opinion on matters of public policy and whenever called upon for it it was 
always forthcoming. He wa; a guiding spirit of the County Board while 
an incumbent of the office of Commissioner and if he was unpopular with a 
fe^v it is accounted for by the fact that they were not his invited advisors. 

As a business man Mr. Lacey is successful and conservative. He has 
extended his domain materially by the addition of another eighty to his 
original tract and his individual prosperity is noted in other lines of indus- 
try. He is a member of the Methodist congregation of Moran of which 
bodv he is one of the Trustees, being Chairman of the Board. 



JAMES McKINNEY WILLIAMSON, who was for years engaged in 
the harness and saddlery business in lola, and but recently retired, 
located in Allen county in 1883. His first years in the county he pas.sed 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 207 

ou the farm, but, having served his apprenticeship, without being 
bound, at the saddlery and harness trade and having an opportunity to ac- 
quire the business exclusive, in Ida, he purchased the Hart stock and 
conducted an honorable and profitable business till 1900 when "William- 
son & Son," the successor of J. M. Williamson, sold its business to Mr. 
Hartung. 

Mr. Williamson came to Kansas in 187 1 and took a claim in Butler 
county. From this claim he moved to the city of Eldorado and was a resi- 
dent there at the time he removed to Allen county. His native place is 
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he was born August i, 1840. His 
father, John L. Williamson, was a farmer and, to some extent an iron ore 
dealer. He was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, but 
reared in Mercer county. He died in Butler county, Kansas, in 18S2 at 
the age of eighty-two years. In early life he was in line with Democracy 
but in [848 became a Whig and later a Republican. George Williamson, 
a soldier in the- Revolutionary War, and a son of Thomas Williamson, 
passed his active life at farming in Northumberland countv , Pennsylvania. 
He is buried at Salem church in ?>Iercer county. His forefathers were of 
Scotch and Irish extraction. 

John L. Williamson married Rebecca McKinney, a daughter of 
Samuel McKinney, who was born and reared in Center county, Pennsyl- 
vania. He was a farmer, a wool-carder and an ex soldier of the war of 
i8i2. He was awarded a medal by the state of Pennsylvania for gallantr,' 
in the battle of Lake Erie. Rebecca McKinney Williamson died in 1840. 
Her children are: Mary J., wife of Fohnestock Lightner, of Knox county, 
Iowa; Rachel E.. wife of John Naix. of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and James 
M. Williamson. 

Until he became old enough to care for himself Mr. Williamson made 
his home with his grandfather McKinney. He hired out as a day work- 
man and by the month, as the opportunity offered, until beginning his 
trade. He left the bench to enter the Union army in August 1861, joining 
Company A, Seventy-Sixth Kej'stone Zouaves. For some months prior to 
the close of the war he was enrolling officer, being; employed as such after 
his discharge from service in the field. 

The Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Zouaves rendezvoused at Camp Came- 
ron, Harrisburg, and was ordered to the front at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, 
and on to Hilton Head, South Carolina. It participated in the capture of 
Fort Pulaski, was in the fight at Pocataligo, and, in the spring of 1863, 
Mr. Williamson was discharged from it and soon thereafter was commis- 
sioned as enrolling officer, as above mentioned. 

Mr. Williamson engaged in merchandising in a country store in 
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, upon resuming civil pursuits and followed it 
and farming three years each. He then came to Kansas in search of cheap 
lands and the claim he took in Butler county proved to be the dearest 
piece of real estate he ever owned. 

June I, 1864. Mr. Williamson married Lizzie L. , a daughter of James 
Brandon. Mrs. Williamson died in 1873. Her children are: Mary J., 



208 niSTORV OF ALI.KN AND 

who murried J. F. Shidely, of Fairhaven, Washington; Austa, wife of 
Charles Cadwell, of Harvey county, Kansas; and John H. Williamson, of 
lola. In 1875 Mr. Williamson married Mary M., a daughter of Hansford 
Jones, whose original home was in West Virginia. The children of the 
marriage are: Horace Carl Williamson, who is married to Emma Butler 
and is one of the substantial j^oung business men of lola; Arthur Leroy, 
Earnest Wiley, James and Ruth Esther Williamson. 

Mr. Williamson's first national ballot was cast for Lincoln for presi- 
dent. In 1872 he got into the Greeley movement but supported Hays in 
1876 and has since been one of the staundiest advocates of Republican 
policies and Republican candidates at the pwlls. He was elected coroner of 
Butler county, Kansas, held many minor offices there and in Allen county, 
including councilman for the city of lola. He is a member of the Grand 
Army and Past Commander of the Post, a director of the lola Building and 
Loan Association and, above all, a citizen above reproach. 



H EN RV C. ROGERS— The late Henry C. Rogers, of Bronson, was 
one of the characters of eastern Allen County, not alone because he 
was an honorable citizen but because he represented the age of pioneering 
in the county and because his death closed the chapter devoted to the liv- 
ing pioneers. He came to the county at a time when white men were a 
curiosity on our eastern border and when any piece of prairie from Rock 
Creek to the east line of Allen County might have been preempted or home- 
steaded. The settlements adjacent and tributary to where Mr. Rogers and 
his uncle settled were around the Turkey Creek post office and at Ira 
Hobson's mill on the Osage River, in Bourbon County. Prior to the Civil 
war the land between Moran and Bronson belonged to the Indians but 
thev did not occupy it. They had, no doubt, abandoned it to whoever 
might settle it as per an act of Congress providing for the disposition of the 
public domain. To the few settlements made prior to the war, to the 
events affecting this locality during that struggle and to the period of settle- 
ment succeeding the war, including the fencing of the la.st tract of prairie 
"lying out," Mr. Rogers was an eye witness. He not only saw it all but 
he was a distinct part of it all and could his reminiscences have been 
gathered while in his physical and mental vigor they would have added 
much to the completeness of the story of the settlement and development of 
Allen County. 

It was November 10, 1S58, when Henry C. Rogers and D. V. Rogers, 
his uncle, stopped on the creek southeast of Moran. They were seeking a 
location and the uncle claimed the "Uick Gilliam" place and died on it in 
1875. Young Henry remained with his uncle till old enough to enter 
land when he took up the south half of the southwest quarter of section 10, 
township 25, range 21, Marmaton township, and there resided till about 



r> 



^, ni cr-G^^eAA 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 209 

1880 when he sold and located on the county line soutli (jf Bronson 
two miles. 

The settlements on the prairies of Kansas in an early day were chief! > 
disturbed by the devouring flames of a prairie Ore. This scourge visited 
every settler who made his abiding place in Allen County from the earliest 
time to 1880, and many of them more than once. It was no unusual thing 
to see everything swept away and a family left penniless after a hard 
summer's work. Thieves and marauders made occasional sallies into the 
settlements and plied their trade effectively but the vigilantes took frequent 
charge of them and left them alone in their solitude. The drouth of i860 
was a calamity visited upon the frontiersmen and, had not the winter fol- 
lowing been as mild and as gentle as that of Florida, great suffering among 
man and beast would have ensued. During the war the Bushwhackers and 
Butternuts did not disturb the peace and repose of eastern Allen County. 
Its able-bodied men all belonged to some military regiment and were called 
out only when the State was threatened with invasion. Mr. Rogers was a 
member of Col. Orlin Thurston's regiment of State guards which rendez- 
voused at Ft. Scott during the last Price raid. 

H. C. Rogers was born in Vermillion County, Indiana. He started 
to Kansas from Vermillion County, Illinois, but his parents settled in Ver- 
million County, Indiana, and it is probable that there was where his birth 
occurred February 23, 1842. His father, Daniel Rogers, who left Vermont 
when young, was a pioneerto the above Indiana county. His parents no 
doubt accompanied him to the west for his father, Allen Rogers, resided in 
Indiana, Illinois, and lastl3' Iowa, where he died and is buried. His sons 
were: Elisha, Minor, John, Daniel and Jobe Rogers, all of whom reared 
families. Daniel Rogers married Mary Baldwin who died in Perryville, 
Indiana, in 1853. Daniel also died early in life. Their children were: 
Henry C; Hannah, wife of Richard Davis, of Altaraont, Kansas: Nettie, 
deceased, wife of Mr. Blair, of Neosho County, Kansas. 

Henry C. Rogers was not an educated man. The circumstances of his 
time were such as to preclude the acquirement of more than the primary 
elements of an education. He was only sixteen years old when he assumed 
the responsibilities of a citizen in Allen Count}-, where schools were the 
scarcest of necessities. Whatever ot success has attended him has been the 
result of his efforts with stock and the farm. He was married June 10, 
1865, to Miss Ruth Main, a daughter of John Main, a pioneer to the 
we.st from Virginia. Mrs. Rogers was born in Mongoha, Virginia, 
June 23 1846. The children of their marriage are: Charles, married to 
Cora Thompson, resides nearby: Henry C. Jr., married to Mary Goodm, 
resides on the homestead; Dora E. , wife of Elijah Hodge, of Bronson, 
Kansas; O.scar V., married to Maggie Thomas, of Bronson, Kansas; Bertha 
May Rogers, a teacher; William and Roy. 

Mr. Rogers' political affiliations were with the Republicans. In 1872 
he espoused the Greeley movement but, using his own words, "never got 
into the Democratic party." He never took a very active part in local 



2IO HISTORY OF ALLK.V AXI) 

politics and the only office in which he consented to serve was that of school 
director which he held for twenty years. 

When the day shall come when the contemporaries of the pioneers 
sliall all have passed away and their lives and deeds are known only in 
history, then will their posterity come to a full realizatioti and a just appre- 
ciation of them and their efforts. A word from tho.se "who saw and did" 
is more to be desired than a volume from those who were not there and 
only heard. 

Mr. Rogers' last illness was of long duration. He died November 30, 
1900, and was laid away in the 59th year of his age. 



GEORGE G. MAPES. — Few men are more widely and favorably 
known to the citizens of eastern Allen county than George G. Mapes 
the commercial traveler, farmer and stock man of Marmaton township. 
His home, "Shady Slope," just southeast of Moran, is one of the attractive 
farmsteads of the county and is the handiwork of its progressive and pros- 
perous proprietor. 

G. G. Mapes was born in Princeton, Illinois, April 20, 1S54. He was 
educated in the public schools of that city and graduated from the high 
school. His father, George W. Mapes, was born in the state of New York 
ill 1828 and died at Des Moines, Iowa, February 2, 1898. In an early day 
the latter went into Ohio and later came westward to Laporte, Indiana, and 
was there married to Martha E. Denni.son, a New York lady. Not long 
after their marriage the couple emigrated to Bureau county, Illinois. 

George \V. Mapes was educated and equipped for the ministry. He 
filled the pulpit of the Christian church in Princeton many years, following 
this service up with a like one for a period of years in Des Moines, Iowa. 
He was a gentleman of much force of character and a preacher with great 
power and conviction. He was highly educated, abreast of the progressive 
a^e in all literary and scholastic matters and was the iustrument in the 
hands of Providence which built up a large congregation, numbering 
nearly fifteen hundred members, in the city of Des Moines. His widow- 
survived him till July 27, 1900, dying at the' age of seventy years. Their 
wedded life covered a period of nearly fifty years. A half century of con- 
tinuous usefulness, of wedded bliss, walking hand in hand and doing all 
things to the glory of God. Of their six children, five survive: Wheeler 
M. Mapes, of Redfield, Iowa, the first conductor to run a vestibuled car 
out of Omaha, and for twenty-three j-ears in the service of the Rock Island 
Railway Company as conductor; Ro.sella F. , wife of M. A. Hitchcock, of 
Des Moines. Iowa; George G. Mapes; Charles Mapes, of Hutchinson, 
Kansas, traveling for Selz, Schwab & Co., of Chicago, and Frank H. 
Mapes, a druggist of McComb, Illinois. 

When George G Mapes began his career as a business man it was in 
the notion business. He covered the state of Kansas for five years selling 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 211 

notions to the merchants out of a wagon. His success was so marked that 
at the end of this period he established a wholesale notion business in 
Topeka, Katisas. In 1S7S after four years of unremitting watchfulness and 
attention in the upbuilding of his business, he disposed of it and took a 
position with Florence, Jansen & Company, of .Atchison. He represented 
them as a traveling salesman and remained with the house till i8Si when, 
on the first of July, he accepted a place with the Grimes Dry Goods Com- 
pany, in the same city, and was with them nine years as salesman on the 
road. Resigning this position he entered into an arrangement with the 
Hood-Brownbright Wholesale Company, of Philadelphia, to travel for 
them, which position he resigned after three years of service, to take charge 
of the Pennsylvania hotel at Moran, Kansas. Soon after this date he was 
offered the position of cashier of Varner's Bank in Moran and accepted, 
remaining with the institution five years and conducting the hotel at the 
same time. In 1894 he exchanged the hotel for "Shady Slope," a quarter 
section of land two and a half miles southeast of Moran, to which he moved 
his family and where he spends his time when off duty as a drummer. In 
1895 h^ engaged with the Smith, McCord Dry Goods Company, of Kansas 
Citv, and nvc davs in the week his time and enerj;}' is e.Kpended in their 
behalf. 

The well known farm, "Shady Slope," is not one of those common- 
place resorts where the production of corn and hay are the chief source of 
revenue and the center of interest season after season. It is a place where 
there is intense activity the year round. First of all it has expanded from 
one hundred and sixty acres to four hundred acres in area and has taken 
onimprovements commensurate with the growth and resources of the farm. 
His herd of sixty registered Herefords, his string of trotters and the mis- 
cellaneous animals necessary to a well regulated stock farm furnish 
splendid evidence of the profitableness of intelligent farming and at the 
same time show Mr. Mapes to be a leader and not a follower in his under- 
taking. His horse flesh is among the best bred anywhere. One of them, 
"Betsy King" at twenty-tvvo years, is the mother of nineteen colts, four of 
which have brought the sum of $6,000 and two others give promise of de- 
veloping into horses of much merit. 

"Shady Slope" and its attendant and accompanying interests are the 
fruits of the individual efforts of G. G. Mapes. In the beginning, and 
when he loaded up his first notion wagon, his capital was too small for 
any other busine.ss. It was his all and upon his merits as a salesman and 
his integrity as a man did he stake his future. Shady Slope answers how 
well he has done. Years of push and good manageaient have counted for 
much and when the inventory is taken it will be found that he has been 
the maker and his wife the saver. Both are admirable traits and both go 
hand in hand to financial independence. July 6, 1881, G. G. Mapes was 
married to Laura E. Kindig, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (McCord) 
Kindig. The father was born in Virginia in 1816 and died in Washing- 
ton, Illinois, in 1892. His wife, a native of Tennessee, and Mrs. Mapes' 
mother, died at Washington many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Mapes' chil- 



212 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

dren, surviving, are: Pluma, Ijorn April i, 1884; Opal, born Februarv 
19, [886, died at fourteen months; Ruby, born August 14, 18SS. 

Mr. Mapes has made no record in politics except for voting the Repub- 
lican ticket. He w^s elected to the City Council in Moran almost unani- 
mously and, as a lodge man, affiliates with the Masons and Workmen. 



HENRY B. SMITH, of Moran, leading implement dealer and worthy 
citizen, came to Kansas in 187S and stopped first in Atchison. Re- 
maining there a short time he went into Norton county, Kansas, took up a 
claim and tried farming in the short grass country eighteen months. Leav- 
ing the west he went to Parsons, Kansas, and spent one \-ear there. Allen 
county was his next objective point and to this locality he came in 1S81. 
He was in the count> about three months before he entered the neighbor- 
hood of Moran. His fir.st entrance into the town was in ci mpany with 
L. H. Gorrell with whom he soon after engaged in the implement business. 
Tlie firm was Gorrell & Smith and it continued in business till 1887 when 
Mr. Smith purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted 
the firm's affairs. 

Our subject was born in Clayton county, Iowa, September 8, 1S55. 
His father's name was John Smith and the latter went into that state from 
Pennsylvania in 1850. In 1857 he returned to his oiiginal home in 
Latiobe, Pennsylvania, and there reared his family. He was a carriage 
maker and was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1824. He 
was a son of Jacob Smith, a wagon maker. 

John Smith married Adeline Cook who died in Pennsylvania in 1893. 
Their five children are: Henry B.; George C, of Jamestown, North Da- 
kota; Emeline, wife of Peter Albaugh, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Blanche, 
wife of Clark Thomas, of Moran, and Grant Smith, of Chicago, Illinois. 
The father. of the family resides in Jamestown, North Dakota. 

H. B. Smith left Pennsylvania before he came of age and returned to 
the state of his birth. He had learned his father's trade and this he made 
his means of support for some years. He worked in Clayton and in Mc- 
Gregor, Iowa, before his return to the Keystone state. He remained a year 
in Latiobe, Pennsylvania, and then made his final trip west. He spent a 
few months at his trade in Atchison, Kansas, and was induced to desert it 
for a time, by visions of a free home in the west. 

May 2, 1S83, Mr. Smith was married in Moran, Kansas, to Miss 
Orpha Iv DeHart, a daughter of Elisha DeHart, who came to Kansas from 
Morgan county, Indiana, and who is a well known, industrious and re- 
spected citizen of Moran. Mr. and Mrs. Smith's children are: Leroy, 
Pearl B. and Ralph. 

As a citizen Mr. Smith is modest and unassuming, yet alive to his own 
interests and to those of his town. He is a member of the township board 
and has spent nine years on' the school board. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 2r3 

JOSEPH CLARENCE NORTON, Allen County'spractical and theoretical 
^ Agriculturist, and a fanner whose fame extends beyond the confines of 
his own State, came into the county in 1872. His father, Joseph G. 
Norton, came out to Kansas in 1871, as a representative of a colony of Ohio 
emigrants and purchased for them a tract of land in Anderson County, of 
John W. Scott, agent of the L. 1/. and G. Railway Company. The colony 
came out and settled their new purchase and called their station on the line 
of the Santa Fe road "Colon}-." The town which this name was given to 
was called by the old trailers, to and from Lawrence "Divide." Colony 
was applied to this high point about 1872 when the.se Ohio soldiers took 
possession of their lands. Mr. Norton was not pleased with this location 
and the same year went into Marmaton township, Allen County, and pur- 
chased a tract. In company with Mr. Norton were other Ohio settlers, 
Mr. Schlimmer, Mr. Whitney and Fred Wagoner who also located in Allen 
Comity. The first postoffice was Johnstown which in a few years gave way 
to the Fairlawn postoffice, established in the house of Mr. Fehlison who 
looked after its affairs and the mail matter of the neighborhood till Moran 
was founded, when it was discontinued. Mail was delivered by pony 
carrier twice a week and the settlers felt themselves fortunate in receiving 
such favors at the hands of the government. 

J. Clarence Norton was born at Montville, Waldo County, Maine, 
December 28, 1857. His father was born at Castine, Maine, April 21, 1824, 
and his environments in youth were entirely rural. His father, David 
Norton, had charge of the County Poor Farm for many years and was a 
local official for a long period. He was born in Maine and died in Des 
Moines, Iowa, and was a son of Joseph Norton, an old whaling-shipmaster. 
The latter had made several trips around the world before the Revolutionary 
war and sailed into the harbor of Sm Francisco and shot buffalo where the 
Presideo now is located and used water from the spring at the Golden 
Gate. The original Nortons were aboard the Mayflower and are buried at 
Plymouth, the site of their settlement. 

Joseph G. Norton married Jane Cram, who died in Allen County in 
1886. Their children were: Ida; deceased wife of John Carter of lola; 
Ada, wife of George S. Davis, of lola; Joseph Clarence: Etta, wife of George 
Mausy, of Rushville, Indiana. 

Joseph G. Norton passed his early life as a boot and shoemaker. He 
left Maine in 1862 and located in Covington, Kentucky, but worked in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. Before reaching Cincinnati he lived in Quincy and Brain- 
tree, Massachusetts, and spent some time in Columbus, Ohio, upon his ar- 
rival in the State. 

Clarence was a lad of fourteen years when he came to Allen Coutity. 
He had had ample opportunities for education and graduated from the 
Covington high school, the j'ounge.st in his class. He earlj- developed a 
talent for newspaper work and got his first experience on the lola Register. 
Its editor, Mr. Perkins, retained him as a paid correspondent, the first of 
the kind in the county. The subject of farming attracted him and he has 



iJJj. HISTORY OF AtLEN ANO 

done much of it in an experimental way. His discoveries he has made 
known from time to time in his letters to the Kansas Farmer and The 
Rural New Yorker to which publications he contributes as a pay corre- 
spondent and at good pay. He was the first to bale corn fodder and to in- 
vent a machine for baling, a description of which operation was published 
fn Coburn's "Forage and Fodder" and he was the fiist to discover a meth- 
od of preserving and keeping Irish potatoes two years. His articles have 
attracted a wide interest among professional and e.Kperimsntal fanners and 
he has addressed the State Board of Agriculture of Kansas, as the inviteti 
guest of the Secretary on different occasions when officers of Agricultural 
societies of other states were in his audience. Mr. Korton is also a 
student of farm stock and all his property of this description is registered. 

Mr. Norton has kept weather records for thirty years and for the last 
six years has kept the United States oiBcial records for this county, being a 
regular weather bureau observer and supplied with government instru- 
ments. There are instances where his records have been called to settle 
damage suits with railways. He wrote a book on Weather Talks that was 
published in the Register in the winter of 1895-6. Also another book pub- 
lished in the Kansas Farmer on Potato Growing, and he has for two years 
been at work on the Kansas Farmer's H mdy Guide which is now running 
in the Kansas Farmer and will be out in book form early in 1902. It is a 
reprint of a collection of thirty j^ears from all the leading farm papers in 
the world. 

Mr. Norton ha^ been quite a sportsman and has hunted all over 
the northwe.st. In 1S83 he brought from the Cascade Mountains a cap- 
tured bear cub and that a year later he gave to the St. Louis Zoo, the largest 
bear they ever had. He also gave to tlie Smithsonian Institute at Wash- 
ington, D. C, the only specimen the world ever heard of in its life — a 
Maltese skunk — a hybred cross between a white skunk and a mink and its 
value is beyond e.stimate. This animal was captured on his farm in Allen 
County, Kansas. 

Mr. Norton has for .several years been an introducer of worthy farm 
machinery through the Kansas Farmer and he has a valuable collection. 
He introduced the Early Kans:is potato that was originated by William 
Hankins of lola, and it is favorably known all over the United States, 
being one of the best yielders at the Rural New Yorker's testing trials, 
among one hundred other varieties. Also the Kansas Snowball, a new 
seedling from the Common No. i potato. 

Mr. N'orton w:us married to Frances Coe, of Ashtabula, Ohio. She 
died in 1892 leaving a son, Louis Norton. Mr. Norton then married (in 
1893) Elba Ashcraft. Their children aje: Everett and Annie P. 

In politics the Nortons have all along been Republicans. The St. 
Louis platform did not conform to the ideas of our subject on the finance 
(juestion, in 1896, and he supported the candidate of the Democratic party. 
The question of expansion being of more personal concern and of greater 
national importance he supported Mr. McKinley in 1900 on that issue. 
Outside of questions of citizenship he takes no special interest in local affairs. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 5l5 

DOCTOR JAMES E. JEWELL, of Moran, a member of the Board of 
Pension Examiners for Allen County and for two terms Healtli 
'Officer of the county, is a gentleman most honorable, and highly esteemed. 
His attitude and bearing are in themselves a moral lesson and his pro- 
fessional integrity and professional competency are matters of general 
recognition. 

Dr. Jewell came into Allen County permanently Oct. 9, 1892, and 
located in the new village of Moran. He came from McMinn County, 
Tennessee, where he had located in 187 1. In 1868 he went into the South 
with his father-in-law and engaged in the saw-mill and lumljer business 
in Talledego, County, Alabama. After he had remained there three years 
he went into East Tennessee and was located near Athens eleven years. 

Dr. Jewell was born in Chenango, County, New York, not far from 
Norwich, December 26, 1846. His father. Dr. James Jewell, was born at 
Durham, Green County, New York, December 6, 1818, and died in 
Catskill, N. J., May 15, 1884. The latter was schooled and trained for an 
educator and graduated in the Vermont Medical College. He was engaged 
in regular practice, in New York, from graduation to his death. He pos- 
sessed a fine intellect and an inordinate love for his profession and his 
entire makeup rendered him one of the marked men of his county. He 
was descended from Massachusetts stock and from Revolutionary ancestors. 
His father was a Congregational minister. 

Among the Revolutionary patriots who aided in the capture of the first 
British soldiers who ever surrendered to Americans was Seth Clark, our 
subject's great-grandfather. He was one of General Warren's men at 
Boston and, while awaiting the turn in events which forced the English to 
hand the city over to the Americans, he made, and decorated with Boston 
scenes, a powder-horn which our subject possesses and which is to descend 
to successive generations of the family. 

Dr. James Jewell married AlmyraDay, a lady of New England stock, 
but born in Schoharrie County, New York. Her birth occurred in 1818 
and her death the year of her husband's. Both lie in Moran cemetery. 
Their children are: Dr. J. E. Jewell; Mary A., wife of Henry L. Bassett, 
of Moran; Rev. Stanley D. Jewell, of Butler, Missouri, and the late Anson 
Jewell. 

Dr. Jewell's youth was passed chiefly in school. From fifteen to 
twenty years of age he was a photographer in Catskill and Prattsville, 
New York. February 11, 1868, he married May R. Coe, whose father, 
Daniel Coe, founded and endowed Coe College at Cedar Ripids, Iowa. He 
was a successful farmer in the Catskills of New York and died in Talledego, 
County, Alabama. He was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. 
Mercy (Wattles) Cowles, the mother of Mrs. Jewell. 

It seems but natural that our subject should become a physician. His 
father's prominence and success in the craft and his own associations with 
the latter during his bringing up led him to a determination to pre- 
pare for a life of medicine. It was rather late in life that he began the 



2l6 HISTORY OF AI.LKN AND 

actual work of preparation but it was belter, tlius, on the whole, for hi.s 
faculties were then fully developed and matured. He entered the College 
of Physicians and Sur>;eons in Jialtimore, Maryland, and took the highest 
honors in a class of one hundred and forty-three at graduation. In appre- 
ciation of this mark of excellence the faculty presented him with a gold 
medal, properly inscribed, which is his constant companion, as it were. 
The Doctor completed his course in i88i aad opened an office first at 
Athens, Tennessee, where he remained until his location in Moran. 

Dr. Jewell's only surviving child is a son, James Ralph Jewell, a 
student in Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A son, Walter Jewell, died 
in Moran in 1S92 at the age of twenty-two years. 

The Presbyterians of Moran have had an active aid in Dr. Jewell. He 
has been connected with that church officially many years and much of its 
substantial progress has been due to his efforts. The Republican party of 
Allen County has felt the beneficent effect of his influence and cooperation 
and has honored him twice with election to the office of Coroner. His 
oivn little city has called him to the Mayoralty and all his official acts 
have been inspired bj' a desire to do absolute and accurate justice at all 
times and to all men. 



SAMUICL C. \'ARXKR is one whose name is inseparably interwoven 
with the history of Moran. He belongs to that class whose ability and 
character are making a deep impression upon the life of this rapidly de- 
veloping town. In tliis broad state with its abundant room for individual 
enterprise with its he.irty appreciation of personal worth and its splendid 
opportunities tor individual achievement, the man of ability finds the very 
largest sphere for usefnlne.ssand the gratification of personal ambition. His 
abilities will be discovered, his integrity will find appreciation, his public 
spirit will mt-et with recognition, and he cannot but become prominent. 
Mr. X'arner is an illustration of this fact. He has done much to advance 
the material interests and substantial upbuilding of Moran. 

A representative of sturdy Pennsylvania ancestry he was born in 
Monongahela, Washington county, that state, December 10, 1845. His 
parents, John M. and Lucinda (Collins) Varncr, were also natives of 
Pennsylvania. During his boyhood he accompanied them to Canton, Illi- 
nois, and from 1856 until 1S67 his home was in the "Prairie State." Dur- 
ing a part of that time he pursued his education in the public schools. 
When the war broke out he entered the army and served with distinction 
in the Sixty-seventh and One Hundred and Forty -eighth Regiments of 
Illinois Infantry, receiving well merited promotion He enlisted as a pri- 
vate of Company B, in the One Hundred and P'^orty-eighth, was promoted 
to first lieutenant and held other responsible positions by appointment. 
When the stars and stripes had been planted in the capital of the southern 
confederacy and hostilities had ceased he returned to his home. 

In 1867 Mr. Varner removed to Iowa and in 1880 came to Kansas, 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 217 

locating in Colony. Being of an earnest, self-reliant nature, he was fully 
prepared for business and at once took a leading position in commercial 
circles. He made his lumber yard at that place one of the leading enter- 
prises of the time in .\ticlerson county. Quick to note an opportunity 
offered and with a mind trained to take advantage of favorable business 
possibilities, his lumber business was a success in every particular. Be- 
lieving in the future of Moran he determined to locate at that place and 
extend the field of his operations. Accordingly in 18S3 he opened his 
lumber yard there and also embarked in the grain business. Two year- 
later, in 18S5, he extended the field of his labors by adding a hardware 
store, placing his stock on sale in a small frame building on the east side 
of Cedar street. That was the modest commencement of his present mam- 
moth commercial enterprise. Soon those quarters becam; too smill and in 
1888 on the west side of Cedar street he erected the first brick building in 
the city. His hardware store soon took first rank in the countv and would 
be a credit to any city in the state. Again he extended the field of his 
labors by organizing the firm of J. J. Varner & Company and opening an 
extensive store with a complete stock of merchandise. 

In r888 Mr. Varner established what was knov\-n as the S. C. Varner 
Bank, which in 1892 was re-organized under the name of tlii Pejples Bmk 
with Mr. Varner as president. In 1890 he completed the magnificent 
brick block which stands as a monument to his activity, energy and suc- 
cess. Giving personal supervision to his varied busines-i enterprises he has 
at all times been master of the minutest details of eich, so that he is ever 
able to thoroughly meet every call of an immense business that would ordi- 
narily require the combined skill of the individual members of a strong 
company. Although the year 189.5 was a period of financial depression in 
many departments of trade, Mr. Varner, owing to his careful management, 
found that his business not only held its own but was increasing, making 
necessary additional room. He therefore erected the opera house block on 
the east side of Cedar street, utilizing the first floor a: a ware-room. This 
is a handsome brick structure which is certainly a credit to the city. Mr. 
Varner's public spirit, his pride in his adopted city and his faith in its 
future led him to believe that his investments in improvements would be 
appreciated. Having earl)' established his commercial standing, which 
was recognized by all the leading houses of the country, Mr. Varner con- 
tinually added to his business, carefully managed its interests, and 
maintained unassailed his reputation for commercial integrity, so that 
when the period of financial depression came upon the countr)', he still 
enjoyed the public confidence that had been earned by honest effort. The 
words of commendation which he now receives from the leading wholesale 
houses of the country are well-deserved tributes to his ability and his high 
standing. 

On the 27th day of September, 1863, Mr. Varner was married to Miss 
Annie McCord, a highly accomplished lady of Canton, Illinois. They 
have never had any children of their own but adopted a daughter whom 
they reared to adult age. Mr. Varner exercises his right of franchise in 



2l8 HISTORY OF AI.I.KN AND 

support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but has never 
sought or desired office. He was elected mayor of Moran in 1896 and his 
administration was one of worth to the city. Socially he is a Knight 
Templar, Mason and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, the Ancient Order of the United Workmen and the Grand Army of 
the Republic. Men with minds that are as alert and broad as his are never 
narrow: and men who, like him, view public questions, the social organi- 
zation, politics and all the relations of life comprehensively and philo- 
sophically are magnificent supporters of the best interests of humanity. 



JESSE H. COFFMAN — One of the successful and representative farmers 
of Allen County is Jesse H. Coffman, of Moran. He came to the 
county in 1884 and purchased the old "Fair Lawn" farm, the northeast 
qua:ter of section -4, town 24, range 20. He was a pioneer to Neosho 
County, from which point he located in Allen County. In 1868 he pre- 
empted a claim on the Osage Ceded lands and was a party to the famous 
law-suit which arose over the title to that land, much of which lay in Neosho 
County. 

Mr. Coffman came west from Adams County, Indiana, where he was 
reared from boyhood. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 
'7. '839. His father, David Coffman, was born in the same county in 1S09 
and was there married to Rebecca Hughes, a daughter of Jesse Hughes, a 
soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Hughes cam; from Pennsvlvania into 
Ohio as a pioneer and David Coffman came through that State from Vir- 
ginia on his way to Ohio. The Coffmans are one of the old American 
families and some of them were patriots of our Revolution. Our subject's 
great-.grandfather was one of them and he ivas killed while in the service. 

David Coffman died in 1S72 at the age of sixty-three years His wife 
died the same \ ear. Their children were: Mary E., who resides in Adams 
County, Indiana, is the widow of the late Basil Hendricks, her second 
husband: Sarah A., wife of Henry Steele, of Pleasant Mills, Indiana. 
Harriet O., widow of Alexander Flichar, who resides with our subject: 
Jesse H.: Isabel, wife of David Springer, of Van Wert County, Ohio, and 
George M. Coffman, of Erie, Kansas. 

In 1861 President Lincoln appointed J. H. Coffman postmaster of 
Pleasant Mills, Indiana, which office he resigned in 1862 to enlist in Cora- 
pmy E, loth Ohio c.ivalry, Ciptiin Fehlisjn and Colonels Snith and 
Sanders. The regiment was under Kilpatrick and took part in the cavalry 
work around Atlanta and Savannah. It returned north through the enemy's 
country to Richmond, \'irginia, where it was embarked on a transport for 
Baltimore and from that point was shipped to Cleveland, Ohio, where it 
was mustered out of service in August, 1S65. Mr. Coffman took part in 
all the serious engagements with which his division was concerned and 
notwithstanding the frequency with which he was under fire during his 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



219 



three j'ears' service he received no wounds. He was muhtered out as first 
duty sergeant of Company E. 

The three years intervening between his discharge from the army and 
his advent to Kansas Mr. Coffman spent at farming in Adams Counts', In- 
diana. He made the trip to Kansas in a wagon coniaining, besides his 
family, his personal effects. He disposed of his Neosho County farm at a 
fancj' price and invested the proceeds in laud near Moran. His farm 
comprises 330 acres conveniently situated and well stocked ynd well tilled. 

Mr. Coffman was first married in 1867 to Anna R. McLeod who died 
in 1879, with issue as follows: May, wife of Marion Lee, of Los Ati|eks 
County, California; Edith I., wife of Chas. 'Weast, of Neosho County. In 
1884 Mr. Coffman married Laura E. Coe, a daughter of Orville L. Coe, of 
Geanga County, Ohio. Their child is Harold C. Coffman. 

Mr. Coffman is a well known Democrat and is one of the party leaders 
in Allen County. He frequents county conventions and enthuses his coun- 
trymen in the faith in every political campaign. 



A A /"ESLEY N. JONES, of Marmaton township and a pioneer Kansan, 
" ^ has resided upon the southeast quarter of section 22, town 24, 
range 20, for the past ten years, having come into Allen County from the 
adjoining county of Anderson in the spring of 1890. In 1865 his father, 
John M. Jones, settled in the valley of Deer Creek, near Colon\ , Kansas, 
and became one of the substantial farmers of Anderson County. He emi- 
grated from Montgomery County, Illinois, where he was reared and married. 
He was born in Tennessee in 1826, was a son of Hugh Jones, and died near 
Colonj' in 1894. Hugh Jones left Tennessee about 1836 and improved a 
farm in Montgomery County, Illinois, where he settled permanently 
and died. 

John M. Jones married Frances Grisham, a daughter of Spartan Gris- 
ham, who survives her husband at the age of sixty-nine years. Her chil- 
dren are: Mary, wife of W. H. Quiet, of Anderson, County, Kansas; Wes- 
ley N.; Emma, wile of Jesse Day, of Chase County, Kansas; Hugh Jones, 
of Boston, Ma.ssachusetts; a lawyer and a telephone proinoter. 

Wesley N. Jones was born in Montgomery County, Illinois, in May, 
1854. He consequently grew up in Kansas from his eleventh year. His 
education was obtained in the early schools of Anderson County and he be- 
gan life as a farmer. In 1877 he was married in Allen County to Ella, a 
daughter of George H. Bacon, of Elsmore township. The children of this 
union are: Jesse M., Laura, Charles, George, May, Roy and Junia. 

Mr. Jones made farming a success in Anderson County for several 
years and when he came into Allen County he purchased one of the good 
farms of his township. It is two and one-half miles northwest of Moran 
and was the "Snyder League claim." His surroundings present the ap- 
pearance of thrift and a degree of prosperity not uncommon with men of 



220 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

industry and ambition He is growing into the stock business and is 
reaching a plane of financial independence most desirable in the evening 
of life. 

The Jones' have a reputation for staunch Republicanism. Our subject 
cast his first presidential vote for Mr. Hayes and his last one for William 
McKinley and the Republicans of Marmaton selected him for the candidate 
for Trustee in 1900. 



GKORGE L. MERRILL, of the lumber firm of Adams & Merrill, of 
Moran, came to ."Mien County in 1883. At that time he located in the 
new and growing town of Moran, engaged in the business of contracting 
and building and for seventeen years has been regarded as an active mov- 
ing spirit in the affairs of his town. 

Mr. Merrill was born in Concord, Morgan County, Illinois, May 10, 
icS6o. His father, Spafford Merrill, was a mechanic. He crossed the 
plains in '49 and remained on the Pacific coast .several years, residing 
among the Indians and resting here and there alone, and without the sight 
of a white man for years. He made his way up into Washington and was 
one of the parties to name the city Whatcorab. He returned to Illinois 
with the proceeds of his trip, before the Rebellion, and engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits in Concord. He joined the loist Illinois infantry as a private 
soldier and served over two years. 

Spafford Merrill was born in New York February 5, 1825. His father 
was Aaron Merrill, born in Geneseo, New York, in 1798. The latter left 
Nevv York with his family in 1829 and settled in Mahoning County, Ohio. 
He continued his westward trip in 1871 and died in Morgan County, 
Illinois, in 1874. He married Electa Wright and his children were: Mar- 
garet, Charles, Spafford, Benson, George, John and Emily, wife of W. H. 
McCartney, of Hopkins, Missouri. Benson resides in Jacksonville, Illinois; 
the others are dead. 

Spafford Merrill married Athalia Rush, of New York. She died 
February 28, 1878, in Morgan County, Illinois. Their children were: 
O.scar R., of Moran, Kansas; George L. and Eva, wife of Charles Orwig, 
of McDonough County, Illinois, Robert Merrill, of Warren, Ohio, is a 
half brother of our subject. 

George L. Merrill put himself to the carpenter trade in Concord, 
Illinois, at an early age. By the death of his parents he was without a 
home at the age of thirteen j'ears. He remained about Concord till 1883 
when he started west and soon brought up in lola, Kansas. He was in 
company with W. H. Berkihiser, known in Moran, and found work in that 
town at once. He followed his trade till 1890 when he engaged in the 
lumber business with Honstead & Berkihiser. The firm changed to 
Merrill & Honstead some months later and finally, in 1896, to its present 
name. 

On questions of public policy, in Nation andS»-.ate, the early Merrills 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 221 

were Republicans. The faith of his fathers our subject has espoused and 
his politics is well known in Moran, where he has served as Clerk of 
the cit3\ 

November 30, 1884, Mr. Merrill was married in Moran to Ida M. Cox, 
a daughter of Peter Cox, of Vigo Countj-, Indiana. The latter died in 
Moran and left two children-, viz.: Amy, wife of A. Lisenbee, and Mrs. 
Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill's children are: Oscar L., Alma M. 
and Amy E. 

Mr. Merrill is a Workman, an Odd Fellow, a Rebekah and a member 
of the ladies auxiliary to the Workman — the Degree of Honor. 



1^ 'ZRA N. WILLETT, of Moran, is one of the pioneers to ea.stern Allen 
-"— ^ county. He came to the county with his parents in 1868 and has 
been a resident of it since. His father, John Willett, located three and a 
half miles ea.st of lola, on the farm adjoining Gas on the east, and was a 
resident of the county till 1880 when he took up his residence in Parsons. 
Kansas. He, however, died in lola in 1882 at the age of seventy-eight 
years. 

John Willett was born in the state of Pennsylvania, reared there and 
came west by degrees to Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and finally to Kansas. 
He was married to Nancy L,andis in the state of Ohio in the year 1835 and 
his widow resides with the subject of this review. The latter was born in 
1818 and is the mother of: Wesley Willett, of Seattle, Washington; Sam 
E. Willett, of Malone, New York; Ezra N., our subject, born January 20, 
1S56; Ira Willett, of Miami, Florida; Lew E., wife of C. A. Sensor, of 
Denver, Colorado; Mary, wife of Jacob Fitzpatrick, of Wichita, Kansas, 
and Cynthia E. , of Denver, Colorado. 

Ezra N. Willett has passed all but twelve years of his life in Kansas. 
He was born in the state of Illinois, Pike county, was educated in the 
common schools of Kansas and is responsible for his own financial and 
social standing. He remained with the family neai lola till nearing his 
twenty-first birthday when he identified himself with the eastern portion of 
the county by entering a piece of the indemnity strip, his claim, now his 
farm, being the southwest quarter of .section 19, township 24, range 21. 
His early efforts at farming and farm-improvement were very crude and the 
first two years he spent on the claim were years of not the greatest possible 
prosperity. He hauled coal from Fort Scott to lola to earn some of the 
means to sustain him and in other menial ways he maintained an honor- 
able existence till his farming venture was made to pay. His first house 
was a ten by twelve box and his second one twelve by sixteen which gave 
way, in 1889, to his present farm cottage. 

In 1878, February 28, Mr. Willett was married to Amy McNaught, a 
daugliter of the late James R. McNaught, of Moran. Their children are: 
Zella and Ethel, aged sixteen and eleven years, respectively. 



222 HISTORY OI" ALI.K.V .WD 

A /TKLX'IN L. LACEV. — The I^acey famih- is one of t]ie conspicuously 
-'-"-*- promiueiil ones of Allen county. It was established here more than 
a score of years ago and the heads of its numerous households are men of 
integrity, of great resjiect, ability and undoubted personal honor. One of 
their number is the subject of this brief sketch, Melvin L. Lacey. He was 
born in Jackson county, Michigan, March 7. 1S53, and is a brother of 
Kdward D. Lacey, of Allen county. He is the youngest of six children, 
the others being: Anna, deceased, wife of James Wright; Mary J., wife of 
William Harper, of Champaign county, Illinois; Edward D., William H., 
of xAllen county, and George W., of Moran, Kansas. 

M. L- Lacey began life, really, in boyhood. He learned farming and 
engaged in it for some years, as a hired man. He was married in Iroquois 
county, Illinois, in 1874 to Ivy Robinett, a daughter of Elcaser Robinett. 
an Ohio farmer, who went into Illinois from Pickaway county, Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lacey's children are: Arthur, married to Mattie B. 
Green, resides in Blue Mound, Kansas; Archie F. and Harry E. Lacey, 
young farmers of Marmaton t(nvnship. 

Mr. Lacey came to Allen county in 1887 and spent twelve years in 
Moran where he controlled the transfer and express business of the town. 
In 1899 he moved to his farm, the south half of the south-east quarter of 
section 19, township 24, range 20, one of the desirable and fertile tracts of 
-Allen county. 

In politics our subject is in line with the conduct of his elder brethren. 
He is well known as a Republican and served in the city of Moran three 
years in the council and as its city marshal. He is a member of the dis- 
trict school board and holds a membership in the Methodist church. 



A LLEN B ISAAC, well known as a citizen and farmer of Marmaton 
■^^^- township, Allen county, came to Kansas in 1877 and located in this 
county. He spent the first year in Humboldt and, having cast about over 
the county foi a satisfactory location he chose Marmaton township and took 
up his residence therein. He settled section fifteen, on the south line of 
the township, improved a good farm and has resided in that vicinity, almost 
continuously, since. 

Mr. Isaac came to Kansas from Illinois. His father, Elias Isaac set- 
tled in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1833, going there from Washington, 
Indiana. At this latter place our subject was born May 30, 1826. Elias 
Isaac was born in North Carolina in 1804. He was a son of John Isaac, 
who left the "okl Tar Heel" state in 1808 and went into Daviess county, 
Indiana, where he died. He had five sons, Samuel, John, Elijah, Allen 
and Elias. Allen spent his life about Beardstown, Illinois. John died in 
Ivlgar County, Illinois, and lUias died in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1890. 
The last named learned tanning in his early life, followed it to some ex- 
lent but drifted into farming and made that his life work. He was dis- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 223 

charged from the ranks as a soldier of the Black Hawk war for disability. 
He married Mary Black whose parents were from Kentucky. She died in 
1893 at the age of eighty-seven years. 

Elias and Mary Isaac were the parents of Allen B. ; Ardilla, married 
Aaron Stephenson and died; John M. Isaac, of Maiden, Illinois; Mahala, 
wife of John Winans, of Garson, Iowa; William Isaac, of Maiden, Illinois, 
the oldest white child born in Bureau count> ; Mary E., widow of John 
Cass, of Bureau county; James W. , of Hastings, Nebraska, is deceased, 
and Nancy, deceased, who married Marion Hite, of Bureau county, 
Illinois. 

Allen B. Isaac spent his youth on the farm and acquired his education 
in the country districts. He engaged in mercantile pursuits on reaching 
his majority and his interests were in a general store in Maiden, Illinois. 
Twelve years in the store sufficed and he left the counter for the plow. He 
was on the farm, still, when his attention was drawn to the advantages of 
the west. This he heard through Ross and Knox, who were then engaged 
in the emigration business, and he came out, saw, was pleased and 
located. 

May 3. 1853, ^Ir. Isaac was married to Paulina Seger, a daughter of 
Andrew Seger, who came into Illinois from Ohio but who was formerly 
from near Syracuse, New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac are: 
Charles L. , of Allen county; Lincona, wife of Al Moore, of McLoud, Okla- 
homa, whose first husband was A. B. Bainum. The Bainum cliildren 
are: Neal, Genie, Claude and Eva; Clayton Isaac, of Allen county; Dres- 
den Isaac, of Allen county; Ada, wife of Thomas Thore, of Choctaw, 
Oklahoma; George Isaac, of Chicago, Illinois, and Clifford Humboldt 
Isaac, born at Humboldt, Kansas, resides with his parents. 

Mr. Isaac became a Republican with the earliest of the party voters. 
His first presidential ballot was cast for Hale, the Free Soil candidate and 
with the Republican party he has acted since 1856. His adherance to the 
party tenets has been steadfast and his belief in them constant and un- 
faltering. He took a prominent part iii county politics from the first in 
Kansas and his name has been associated with others, in time past, as a 
suitable candidate for public trust. 



TAMES L. HOSLEY — The beautiful home of James L. Hosley is located 
" in Anderson County, but much of his land lies in Allen County. His 
possessions are a monument to his enterprise, unflagging industry and 
capable business management. He owns twelve hundred and thirty-five 
acres of fine land in the two counties, but at the time of his marriage he did 
not possess a dollar. His life history so clearly illustrates the possibilities 
that lie before men of determined purpose who are not afraid to work that 
it should serve as a source of inspiration and aid to all who are forced to 
start upon a business career empty-handed. 

James L. Hosley was born in Barry County, Michigan, on the 13th of 



224 HISTORY OF ALLKX AND 

November, 1S43. His father, Jonathan Hosley, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts an 1 at an eirly period in the development of the Wolverine State 
emigrated westward, taking up his residence there. He was united in 
marriage to Miss Lima F. Fisher, and upon a farm in Michigan they re- 
sided until 1S59, when they came to Kansas and settled in Osage town- 
ship, Allen County. The father died here in 1878 and the mother, surviv- 
ing him for many years, passed away in 1894. Of their six children, four 
are yet living and are residents of Kansas. 

James L. Hosley, the third in order of birth, pursued his education in 
the common schools of Michigan. When a youth of sixteen years he came 
with his parents to the Sunflower State and assisted his father in the opera- 
tion of the home farm until after the inauguration of the Civil war. His 
patriotic spirit was art)used by the attempt of the South to overthrow the 
Union, and donning the blue he joined Company E, of the Sixth Kansas 
Cavalry on the 5th of December, 1861. He served throughout the remain- 
der of the war, participating in many battles and skirmishes. Among them 
were those of Clear Creek, Coon Creek, Ft. Gibson, Lindsay's Prairie. 
Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, Maysville, Newtonia, Waldon and Mazard 
Prairie. All those battles occurred in Arkansas and were most hotly con- 
tested. Mr. Hosley was captured at the last named on the 27th of July 1864 
and was e.Kchanged on the 22nd of May, 1865, alter being held as prisoner 
of war for ten months. He will never forget the first day, which was one 
of the saddest of his life, nor the d ly of his release, which brought great 
happiness, for his experietice as a Rebel captive was anything but pleasant. 
He was sent to Tyler, Texas, and there remiined until the close of hostili- 
ties. During the entire period he had to sleep upon the ground and his 
rations were limited. He would much have preferred to take his chancer 
-.vith his comrades upon the field, facing the enemy in battle, rather than 
remain in inactivity in the far South, enduriu^ trextment thit was, to say 
the least, not enviable. F'or days he had nothing but a pint of meal in 
which the cob of the corn was also ground Upon being exchanged he was 
sent to Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, where he received an honorable discharge 
on the 21st of June, 1865. Although in a number of important engage- 
ments he was never wounded. With a most creditable military record he 
returned to his home, conscious of having faithfully performed his duty as 
a defender of the old flag. 

On again reaching Kansas Mr. Ho.sley began farming and dealing in 
stock on a small scale. He completed his preparations for a home by his 
marriage to Miss Kmeline West, a native of Ohio, who came with her 
parents to this State in 1858. The wedding was celebrated in 1868, and 
the lady has ever proved to her husband a faithful companion and help- 
mate. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs Hosley had only money 
enough to buy a package of soda, which cost fifteen cents, but they began 
work with a will and the fruits of their labor aie seen in the extensive 
landed posse.ssions which now constitute the Hosley estate. As his 
financial resources have increased Mr. Hosley has continually added to his 
propel ty until now he has twelve hundred and thirty-five acres of rich. 



WOODSON C(JI;NTIKS, KANSAS. 225 

productive land in Allen and Anderson counties. He has this well stocked 
with hor.ses and cattle, keeping about one hundred and fifty head of cattle 
and a large number of horses. He has only good grades of stock and 
therefore has no trouble in securing a ready sale on the market. His resi- 
dence is just across the line in Anderson County. It is a beautiful struc- 
ture, and its tasteful furnishings and attractive exterior make it one of the 
most pleasing homes in all the county. He certainly has every reason to 
be proud of his business record. He does not owe a dollar to any man 
and his possessions have been acquired entirely through his own efforts 
and through the assistance of his capable wife. Honesty has characterized 
all his dealings, and added to this has been indefatigable energy that has 
overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path, enabling him to gain a 
plane of affluence. 

In his political views Mr. Hosley is a stalwart Republican. He joined 
the party when he became a voter and has never wavered in his allegiance 
to its principles. He maintains a plea.sant relationship with his old army 
comrades through his membership in Major Rankin Post, G. A. R., at 
Kincaid, and delights in recounting and recalling the scenes of life on the 
tented field or upon the field of battle. He possesses the true western 
spirit of enterprise and progress that has been such an important factor in 
the substantial upbuilding and development of the middle west. 



T TARVEY OLMSTEAD.— There are no rules for building character; 
-'- -'■ there is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise to an 
enviable position in a community and in the business world is he who can 
see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path. The conditions 
of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but 
slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway and reaches the 
goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is 
because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the 
whole human race. There have been no exciting chapters in the career 
of Mr. Olmstead, but an untiring industry and a steadfastness of purpose 
have enabled him to work his way steadily upward and gain a position of 
affluence among the substantial agriculturists of Allen county. 

He has the distinction of being the first white child born in Fairfield 
towaship, Bureau county, Illinois, the date of his birth being the ist of 
May. 1842. His father, Elijah Olmstead, was a native of Canada and 
married Electa Hall, a native of Ohio. In 1842 they removed to Illinois, 
locating in Fairfield township. Bureau county, among the first settlers 
there. The father was not permitted long to enjoy his new home, for 
death claimed him in 1846, when he was forty-eight years of age, and his 
wife survived only until 1848. They had two children, Harvey and J. F-. 
Olmstead. 

The subject of this review remained in Illinois until eleven years of 



226 HISTORY OF ALLKN AM) 

ajje. His parents having died, he went to live with his grandparents and 
they removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, where he acquired his education 
in the common schools. In the fall of 1856 he became a resident of In- 
diana, where he was employed as a farm hand until 186 1. In that year the 
troubles between the north and the south culminated in civil war and his 
sympathy with the Ui'ion cause prompted his enlistment as a member of 
Company A., Twenty-t'irst Indiana Infantry, with which he served until 
the fall of 1862, when he received an honorable discharge. The following 
year he re-enlistea and became first sergeant in Company C, of the Twelfth 
Indiana Cavalry. He w^as then at the front until after the star-spangled 
banner had been planted in the capital of the southern confederacy. Re- 
turning to his Indiana home he there r«mained until the month of Decem- 
ber, when he went to Illinois and secured work as a farm hand, being 
employed in that capacity for two years. He was then tnarried and began 
farming on his own account, upon rented land, remaining in Illinois until 
1882, when he came to Kansas, taking up his abode in Osage township 
He first purcha.sed eighty acres and subsequently added to it another tract 
ol eighty acres, so that to-day he owns a valuable quarter section. 

On the 6lh of October, 1S67, occurred the marriage of Mr. Olmstead 
and Mis> Mary Oviatte, a native of Summit county, Ohio. Unto them 
were born four children: Frank H.. a book-keeper in Hot Springs, Arkan- 
sas; Hattie A. , Fred E. and Vera. The elder daughter was born in Sum- 
mit count}-, Ohio, and accompanied her parents to Iowa, there residing 
until twelve years of age when she came to Kansas. She acquired the 
greater part of her education here and spent one year as a student in Stan- 
berry College, Stanberry, Missouri. At the age of eighteen she began 
teaching school and for twelve years she followed that profession in Kansas 
while for two years she was principal of the Withington schools at Hot 
Springs, Arkansas. She is also numbered among the popular teachers of 
Allen county. In June, 1900, she received the nomination on the fusion 
ticket for the office of county superintendent of schools and was elected by 
a majority of two hundred and eighty-two votes. The election was cer- 
tainly- a triumph for she overcame the usual Republican majority of six 
hundred and fifty. The Olmstead family is one of prominence in Allen 
county, its members enjoying the high regard of many friends. The career 
of our subject has been both commendable pnd gratifying, for along legiti- 
mate lines of business he has won success and at the same time has retained 
the confidence and good will of his fellow men by reason of his honorable 
methods. 



TOSICPH C. BEATTY, one of the large feeders and farmers of Allen 
*-' county, came to Kansas in 1877 and settled in Osage township. At 
that date Humboldt w^as the county metropolis and many of our leading 
settlers were located from that point, being located by the well-remem- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 227 

bered real estate man, G. \V. Hutchinson. Mr. Bealty was one of the.se 
settlers. He chose the valley of the Osage river, bought a farm therein 
and has since called it his home. For some years beginning with 1880 
Mr. Beatty was not an active farmer. He engaged in the butcher business 
in lola, being interested with "Beatty Brothers," and later their interests 
were transferred to the furniture business there. In 1S86 he became a part- 
ner in the Fort Scott Wholesale Grocery Company and remained with the 
concern till 18S8, at which date he returned to the Osage River farm. 

In the conduct of the farm Mr. Beatty has given the stock business the 
chief place in his affections. This branch of industry calls for a genius not 
common to the average farmer and its successful conduct, upon a large 
scale, is con.sequent upon the especial adaptability of its promoter. The 
growth made in this industry by our subject within the past dozen years 
marks him as one of the successful feeders and the extent of his operations 
gives him a wide acquaintance through Allen, Anderson and Bourbon 
counties. 

By nativity Mr. Beatty is an Irishman. He was born near Belfast 
July 8, 1854, and was a son of David Baatty who left Ireland in 1855 and 
took np his residence near Kincarden, Canada. In 1869 the family took 
another jump westward, this time locating in Sonoma county, California. 
David Beatty, father of our subject, was married to Mary Crawford, whose 
death occurred in Allen county in 1880. Their children were: William, 
who died in California; John C., of Los Angeles, California; Elizabeth, wife 
of William Caldwell, of Cloverdale, California; Mary J., widow of R. A. 
Kerr, of Los Angeles, California; Joseph C. ; James T. , of the Fort .Scott 
Wholesale Grocery Company, and David R. Beatty, of Beaumont, Texas. 

Joseph C. Beatty was equipped for a career of business in Healds 
Business College in San Francisco, California. He began life in the sheep 
business in Sonoma county and drifted from that into the cattle business, 
on a moderate scale. The conditions for handling cattle e.xtensively were 
not so favorable in California and he was induced to return east, to Kansas, 
where there was a prospect of acquiring cheap land and greater range for 
stock. In Allen county the area of his farm and ranch has kept pace with 
the extent of his herds and his six hundred and twenty acres comprises one 
of the desirable pieces of property in the county. 

Mr. Beatty excels not only as a man of affairs but as a citizen. His 
conduct has been, toward his neighbors, of such a character as to win and 
maintain their confidence, commercially, socially and politically. He has 
been identified with county politics, as a Republican, for many years and, 
as an intimation of the weight of his opinion it is onlj' necessary to say that 
candidates for office are always anxious to know "how Beatty stands" with 
reference to them. 

July 29, 1880, Mr. Beatty was married to Mrs. Mattie Fielding, a 
daughter of W. W. Neville, of Garnett, Kansas. The Nevilles were from 
Hart county, Kentucky, to Illinois and from Illinois to Kansas in 1870. 
Mr. Neville married Catherine Conover who bore him four children: John, 
of Lawrence, Kansas; Mrs. Melissa Hunley, of Garnett, Kansas, and Mrs. 



228 HISTOKY OF VLLEX AND 

Beatty. All are surviving. Mr. Neville died in 1895 at the age of 
seventy-five years while his widow makes her home with Mrs. Beatty. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beatty's children are: Luretta May, Sophomore in 
University at Ottawa, Kansas; Clarence N., a student in the Moran high 
school, and Joseph Harold. The family are members of the Baptist 
church. 



CHRISTOPHER K. MILLS, of Deer Creek township, the well known 
Irish- American farmer and stock man, has passed a generation, a 
score of years in Allen County. He came here in 1880 with plenty of 
means and bought land in section 17, township 24, range 19, one-hall of 
the section, and improved and brought the large farm under cultivation. 
The stock business he was made familiar with in his youth and it was but 
natural, under favorable circumstances, that he should turn his attention to 
it when settling upon the broad prairies of Kansas. 

As the name would indicate, Mr. Mills is an Irishman. He was born 
in County Roscominon, Ireland, December 25, 1829. His father, Thos. 
Mills, died in the Emerald Isle, leaving a family of five sons and six 
daughters, of whom Christopher K., was the oldest son. The latter 's ad- 
vantages as a boy were those only of the country lad with poor but respect- 
able parents whose chief aim from day to day was to do a bigger day's 
work tomorrow than they did todty. The practice of this plan taught all the 
children to work, especially the eldest son, and so when he lelt Ireland to 
join the vast throng of his countrymen in the United States he did so, well 
equipped with the elements that win success. He boarded a sailer at 
Liverpool and after eleven weeks put into New York harbor He cast 
about for a hold and took any honorable employment yielding a revenue 
for his support. He went into the country about Kingston, New York, 
and hired for seven dollars a month with a promise of more as he 
earned it. Upon leaving New York State he went into western Penusyl- 
vania and made his home about Pittsburg for twenty years. He invested 
his wages in a team as soon as he could purchase one and engaged in 
teaming and freighting. To this he added farming, also, and ere many 
\ears found himself in possession of the implements and the experience to 
win a fortune. 

With the proceeds of his years of toil in cash Mr. Mills brought his 
large family to Kansas where he could the better utilize the labor of his 
sons and where a promise of greater reward awaited his coming. The sons 
remained with the homestead in Allen County till things were well started 
when they .scattered here and there as each reached the period of his 
majority. 

Seven of the eleven children of Thos. Mills came to the United States. 
Tho.se surviving in addition to our subject are: James, of Clark County, 
Missouri; Patrick, of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; Michael of south- 
east Mi.ssouri, and Bridget, wile of Thos. Convoy, of Denver, Colorado. 

C. K. Mills was married to Mary Convoy who died in Allen County, 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 229 

Kansas, March 17. 1898. She was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, 
and was the mother of: Thomas Mills, who died near Edmund, Oklahoma, 
and left two sons: John Mills, of Oregon; James Mills, of lola; Marv, wife 
of George Silvers, of Kansas City, Missouri: Lizzie, who married A. T. 
Kennedy: Agnes, widow of Frank Cain; Cristopher K. Jr. , of Oregon; 
Samuel Mills; Julia, wife of Edward Marsoth, of lola; Kate, wife of Alfred 
Nelson, of Allen County; William Mills: Rosa, wile of James McKaughan, 
of Allen County, and Isabel, wife of William LaVell. 



A,/rRS. MARV M. BROWNING, of Savonburg, was born in Franklin 
-'-"-'- County, Illinois, April 3, 1853. Her father. Colonel James J. 
Dowlins, was also a native of that State, and there married Susan Ann 
Hartley, who was born in Kentuckj^ and went with her parents to Illinois 
when a maiden of twelve summers. The Colonel was a prominent and in- 
fluential citizen of his community, and for a number of j-ears officially 
served as county clerk of Franklin County. When the Civil war broke 
out he resolved to aid in the preservation of the Union, and in August, 
1861, enlisted in the Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, of which he was com- 
missioned colonel. After serving one year and nine months, during which 
time he had participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, and had sustained 
a severe wound in the head at the battle of Shiloh. he proceeded to Vicks- 
burg, where on the 22nd of May, 1863, he laid down his life. on the altar of 
his country, a minie ball causing his death while his regiment was making 
a charge on the enemy's works. Thus fell one of the most gallant, brave 
and noble commanders in the Federal army. He was then but thirty-one 
years of age. He had the confidence and friendship of his superiors, and 
the love and respect of those who served under him. From the pen of R. 
M. Wheatley, of DuQuoin, Illinois, familiarly known as "Hardshell," 
came the following poem, "written in honor of James J. Dowlins of the 
Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, who fell on the 22nd of May, 1863, while 
leading his band in that memorable charge ou the rebel works at Vicksljurg; ' ' 

"Onward to victorj'," nobly he cried, 

"Onward to victory," onward till he died. 

In arms the rebel phalanx stood 

Behind their works of earth and wood. 

"Give us vict,ry or give us death," 
Brave Dowlins cried with his last breath; 
And "Onward" was the last command 
That Dowlins gave his gallant band. 

Through whizzing shot and bursting shell, 
Onward he charged until he fell; 
A fatal ball had pierced his head 
And made the gallant colonel dead. 



230 HISTORY OK ALUKN AXD 

May holy reverence mark the grave 
Where ]ie,s DoUins, the leader brave; 
May holy angels guard his tomb 
And heavenly spirits watt him home. 

Five children were left to mourn the loss of the gallant colonel and 
three of the number are now living, as follows: Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Delilah 
A. Swafford, and Joseph L. Dolling. 

The first named spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and in 
1872 she gave her hand in marriage to Joseph B. Martin, a native of 
Illinois, who like her father had served as a soldier in the Civil war. He 
was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois In- 
fantry, and died in 1S79, from wounds received in the army. They had 
two children: John W., now a resident of McCune, Kansas; and Mrs. Ida 
May Smith, of Chanute, Kansas. Mrs. Martin was married to Joseph 
Browning, a native of Illinois, and by her second marriage had five chil- 
dren, of whom four are now living, namely: .Mrs. Maud P. DeHart; IdaG.. 
wife of Homer McCallen; and Fred and Fay who are with their mother. 

In 1S80 Mrs. Browning came to Kansas, f>nd for some time resided on 
a farm at McCune. Later she purchased a farm near Chanute, where she 
remained for twelve years, and then sold that property. C<iming to Savon- 
burg, she bought the City Hotel, greatly improved the building by erecting 
an addition, and gave her attention to the conduct of the hotel till about 
the first of the year 1901. 



NATHANIEL. T. HOLMES, who is numbered among the enterpris- 
ing young businessmen of Savonburg, has lived for little moie than 
three decades, yet has attained a creditable degree of prosperity in com- 
mercial circles as the reward of well directed labors. Hs was born in Pax- 
ton, Ford County, Illinois, on the 24th of October, 1868, and is the fourth 
in order of birth in a family of — children. He is of SweTlish parentage, his 
father, W. S. Holmes, being born in Sweden and came to America in 
1852, taking up his residence in Illinois. There he married Miss Cora 
Mat-son. The mother died after the removal of the family to Kansas, and 
the father and one son are now in the State of Washington. One son, L. 
L. Holmes, is a resident of Iowa, but the other members of the family are 
living in Allen County. They arrived there on the 12th of March, 1870. 
when the subject of this review was only one and one-half years of age, and 
located upon a farm where the town of Savonburg no.v stands, and amid 
the scenes of frontier life Nathaniel T. Holmes was reared. He pursued 
his education in the common schools of the county until he had completed 
the curriculum and then spent two terms as a student in th e Fort Scott 
College, On laying aside his text books he secured a clerkship in Charles 
Nelson's grocery store at Savonburg, remaining in the employ of that 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 23 I 

gentleiiiati for five )'ears. During that time he saved his earnings, and 
adding this to some borrowed money he purchased a stock of goods and 
embarked in business on his own account, The new venture proved suc- 
cessful from the beginning and in ninety daj^s he was enabled to discharge 
his indebtedness. The secret of his success lies in his strict attention to 
business, his obliging manner and his honorable dealing. 

Mr. Holmes votes with the Republican party and at all times stands ready 
to advance its welfare along legitimate lines or contribute to the support of 
his friends who are seeking office. He is a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen of Savonburg. He speaks and reads his father's native 
tongue, is a well informed man and a reliable and progressive citizen. 



TZ>ETER jSI. IJNQUIST, a farmer of Elsmore township, was born in 
-*- Sweden on the 3rd of June, 1834, ^ son of James P. and Mary (Pet- 
erson) Linquist both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. The 
subject of this review remained in that country until twenty-three years of 
age, when hoping to find better opportunities than were afforded in the 
old countries of Europe, he crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving in 
Henry county, Illinois, in 1.S57. There he began working by the month 
for he had no capital, and it was necessarj' to depend upon the labors of 
his hands for his support. It was after his arrival in Illinois that he was 
married to Miss Edna Carlson, a Swedish" lady, who came to the United 
States with her parents in 1852, locating in Illinois. Mr. Linquist re- 
moved to Warren county, Illinois, where he was employed for three years 
and then returned to Henry county, there purchasing a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, making it his place of residence for seven years. On 
the expiration of that period he removed to Moline, Illinois, and through 
the seven succeeding years was in the employ of the John Deere Plow Com- 
pany. The year 1879 witne.ssed his arrival in Kansas. He took up 
his abode in Elsmore township, Allen county, where he purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land, and began the improvement of what is 
now one of the fine.st farms around Savonburg, supplied with modern 
accessories and conveniences. His fields are highly cultivated, and in ad- 
dition to the raising of grain he handles all kinds of stock. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linquist have been born eight children, as follows: 
Ro.sa, wife of Olaf Swanson, now in Kansas City, Missouri; Emma H., wife 
of John Johnson; Nellie and Caroline, at home; Esther, who is engaged in 
teaching school in Savonburg; Peter S., George and David, who are still 
with their parents. The three last named possess considerable musical 
talent, a love of tlie art of music being a characteristic of the family. By 
his ballot Mr. Linquist supports the Republican party. He has filled the 
office of township treasurer for a number of years, and in November, 1900, 
was elected township trustee. His marked fidelity to the duties of citizen- 
ship is a guarantee of faithful service. Mr. Linquist's hope of benefitting 



2^2 HISTORY OF ALLEN' ANIT 

his financial condition in America has been more than realized. Improv- 
ing his opportunities he has placed his reliance upon the substantial quali- 
ties of diligence and perseverance and has therefore acquired creditable 
success. 



"X A 7"ILL1.\M F. I'^XOS, who is engaged in l)lacksmithing in .Savon- 
^ " burg, is numbered among the native sons of Wisconsin '.vho have 
sought homes in the Sunflower state. He was born in Evansville, on the 
14th of November, 1847. His father, John Enos, removed from Indiana 
to Wisconsin and was married in that state to Miss Hulda Griffith. They 
spent their remaining days in the Badger state, being people of the highest 
respectability and held in warm regard by their many friends. I'nder 
the parental roof the subject of this review was reared, and in the common 
schools near his home he conned the lessons that gave him a knowledge of 
the branches of English learning. At the age of si.^teen he enlisted in the 
naval service of the United States, taking passage on a vessel at Chicago 
on the 2nd of April, 1S64. He served for nine months on the United 
States man of-war Benton, in the Sixth Division of the Mississippi Squad- 
ron, and was then transferred to the warship Brilliant where he remained 
until honorably discharged at the clo-ie of the war. He was very young 
when he entered the service and as hostilities ceased not long afterward he 
did not engage in many important naval battles, but his bravery and valor 
were tested and found to be equal to that of many a time-tried veteran. 

At the close of the war Mr. Enos returned to Wi.sconsin and began 
learning the blacksmith trade which he followed until twenty years of age. 
He then left the Badger state for the district west of the Mississippi river. 
removing to Iowa where he was employed for three years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he once more became a resident of Wisconsin where he 
followed blacksmithing until 1893, the year of his removal to South Da- 
kota. After a year devoted to farming in that section of the country he 
went to Crowley, Louisiana, where he was engaged in the cultivation of 
rice until 1896, when he came to Kansas and made his home at Stark 
till 1898. He has since been a resident of Savonburg and has con- 
ducted a blacksmithing and wagon-m iking establishment. He ha^^ a good 
location and enjoys a liberal pationage. He al.so conducts a farm and both 
branches of his business are proving to him a profitable source of income. 

On the 26th of September, 1868, Mr. Enos was united in marriage to 
Miss Lucy W. Haywood. Unto them have been born eight children, as 
follows: William H., a resident of Joplin, Missouri; Cora M , the wife of 
Charles Benson, of South Dakota; Archie, who is employed in the shop of 
his father; Carrie B., the wife of John Benson, of South Dakota; Pearl, the 
wife of Perry Huff, of Savonburg; Edith, the wife of John Rid^eway; Katy 
P., who is in Louisiana, and Clarence and Raymond, who are still under 
the parental roof. A consideration of the political questions of the day 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 233 

have led Mr. Enos to give his support to the men and measures of the Re- 
publican party. He is now a member of Savonburg Post, G. A. R., and 
this relationship indicates the time when among the boys in blue he 
loyally served his country in order to perpetuate the Union. At all times 
his duties of citizenship are faithfully performed and he withholds his sup- 
port from no measure which he believes will contribute to the general 
good. 



STEPHEN H. WEITH.— Numbered among the most energetic and 
progressive farmers of Elm township is S. H. Weith, whose farm is 
supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences while the well-tilled 
fields give evidence of the careful supervision of their owner. As he is 
well known his life record can not fail to prove of interest to many of the 
leaders of this volume. 

Stephen H. Weith was born in Peoria county, Illinois, January 13, 
1850. His father, George Weith, emigrated from Germany at the age of 
twenty-four years, and took up his residence in Peoria county, Illinois. It 
was in 1838 that he settled in that western countrj', then being filled up 
with some of the best blood of all nations whose posterity have made rich 
the pages of history in the professions, statesmanship, science and the 
mechanical arts. Our subject's father was offered a block of land, now 
almost in the center of the city of Peoria, for two months' work but de- 
clined, to give his labors to some enterprise then more promising of im- 
mediate reward. He located in Hollis township that county and engaged 
in farming and teaming. 

George Weith married Elizabeth Walters who was born in Switzer- 
land. During her childhood the latter came with her parents to the United 
States and became settlers of Peoria county, Illinois. The union of this 
couple was productive of three children, John, Stephen and Rose. John 
Weith died in lola, Kansas. He came to Kansas in 1870, was a black- 
smith — a fine mechanic — and was one of the worthy men of his adopted 
city. 

George Weith was one of a family of five sons. Two of his brothers 
survive and are in the Fatherland. George died in 1853 and his widow be- 
came the wife of a Mexican soldier, Kobler, residing in Peoria county, 
Illinois. 

Stephen W^eith, the subject of this review, was thirteen j'ears of age 
when his mother died. He was thus thrown upon his own resources at a 
tender age. All that he has achieved has come as a reward for his indi- 
vidual labors. In January 1877 he visited Allen county, Kansas, and the 
next month purchased a large tract of land in Elm township and soon 
thereafter began the work of developing a farm from the treeless w'aste of 
prairie. In the little more than a score of years which have elapsed since 
his advent to the county Mr. Weith has brought into existence fields and 



234 HISTORY OK ALLIvX AND 

orchards and barns and a commodious residence and his is one of the 
attractive homesteads of the township. 

As a companion Mr. Weith chose Ella Shanklin. The wedding oc- 
curred just before their removal to Kansas and their marriage has been 
blessed with the following surviving children: George, Archibald and 
Josie. 

In politics Mr. Weith is well known as a Populist. He espoused the 
"cause ot the people" in 1890 and has lent his influence in support of the 
principles enunciated by his party. He is one of the leaders of Elm 
township in that organization and has filled the office of Township Trus- 
tee and director of the school board. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weith are members of the Presbyterian church of lola 
and all who know them hold them in high re<rard. 



TIDICHARDR. CLAIBORNE, proprietor of the lola Cider, Sorghum 
-*- *- and Corn Mill and Vinegar Works, is a representative of one of the 
old and famous families of the United States, being lineally descended from 
William Claiborne, who was sent out by Charles I., King of England, as 
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and who at one time ruled 
both Virginia and Maryland. This William Claiborne is stjled by Chief 
Justice John Marshall, in his life of Washington, as "the evil genius of Mary- 
land," he having btsieged .\nnapolis and driven Lord Proprietor Calvert out 
of the Province. His career in America was long and turbulent but he tri- 
umphed to the last, being sustained against all his enemies by Charles I., 
Cromwell and Charles II. , under all of whom he held high office in the 
new world. He fell in battle with the Indians and his tomb may yet be 
seen at W'ancock Hill, Virginia. 

The descendant? of \Villiam Claiborne became numeix)us in Virginia 
as they remained there for many generations without emigrating, filling 
many of the highest offices in the Commonwealth and intermarrying with 
its most distinguished families. 

Richard Claiborne, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a Revo- 
lutionary soldier. He entered the \'irginia line as a lieutenant, was aide- 
de-camp to General Greene during the whole of his southern campaign, 
and left the service at the close of the war, a major. He took up the prac- 
tice of law in Virginia, and when his cousin, Wm. C. C. Claiborne, was 
appointed b\' President Jefi^erson Governor of the Territory of Lousiana, 
then just made a part of the I'nited States by purchase, he accompanied 
him to New Orleans as his private secretary. After the admission of the 
State of Lousiana he was appointed clerk of the District Court of the United 
States and continued to hold this position until the time of his death which 
occurred in 18 19. 

Richard Claiborne married Catherine Ross, a daughter of Brigadier 
General James Ross, of the Revolutionary ami}-, and a grand -daughter of 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 235 

George Ross, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Their 
children were Guilford Green Claiborne, our subject's father, and Hen- 
rietta Virginia Claiborne, who married Preston Billings Elder, of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Richard R. Claiborne, the subject of this sketch was born at Colum- 
bia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1838, and is the son of Guilford Greene 
Claiborne who was for many years a prominent official of the Pennsylvania 
railroad. When but eighteen years of age Richard R. Claiborne entered 
upon the active duties of life as Statistical Clerk in the Philadelphia custom 
house, an appointment made by direction of President Buchanan. He con- 
tinued in office during a part of the administration of President Lincoln and 
resigned to take the superintendency of the Linscott Petroleum and Coal 
Company at Athens, Ohio. This position he resigned to assume the manage- 
ment of the James River Granite Company, at Richmond, \'a. , resigning this 
latter position t > engage in the coal business in Philadelphia. In 1870 he 
came to Kansas for the purpose of engaging in the cattle business. He 
located first in Neosho county, near the town of Osage Mission (now St. 
Paul) establishing an extensive ranch on Walnut creek. In 1882 he came 
to Allen county, purchased the J. W. Scott homestead in Carlyle township, 
and made his home there until iSgo when he came to lola, purchasing the 
Cider and Vinegar industry then carried on by the firm of Potter Sn Mc- 
Clure, in the building now used by the lola Creamery. He soon removed 
the machinery to block 115, where he erected new buildings, put in a 
larger plant and greatly extenaed the business. Under careful and intelli- 
gent management the industry grew rapidly and had already become one of 
much importance when, in iSgS, the buildings and plant were totally de- 
stroyed by fire. Not daunted by this disaster Mr. Claiborne secured a tract 
of land just east of the city, erected there a new and larger plant, and is 
rapidly regaining the ground lost by this unhappy misfortune. 

Mr. Claiborne was married in February, 1872, at Bridge Water, Mas- 
sachusetts, to Elnora Bartlett, a daughter of Joseph and Mary E. Bartlett. 
The two children of this union are Clarence Elder Claiborne, born m 1873, 
and George Ross Claiborne, born in 1876 and married in 1899 to Edith 
Emerson of lola. 

During the nearly twenty years Mr. Claiborne has lived in Allen 
county he has so conducted himself as to win the respect and the cordial 
esteem of all who have had either business or social relations with him. 
Of polished manners and excellent education, with a fine sense of personal 
honor, he has maintained the reputation of the distinguished name he 
bears and has made a record that well entitles him to a place among the 
representative men of Allen county. 



TTENRY A. BROWN, M. D.— Men of marked ability, forceful charac- 
-'- -*- ter and culture leave their impress upon the world written in such 
indelible characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or 



236 HISTORY OK AI.I.KN AND 

sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after 
they have passed from the scene of their eaithly careers. Dr. Brown is one 
of the strong characters who have become an integral part in the bnsiness 
life of Humboldt and has gained marked prestige as a representative of the 
humane calling to which he devotes his energies. 

He was born May 15, 1S51, near Burlington, Iowa. His father. 
Sydney Brown, was a native of Ohio, and married Miss Jane Hawkins, 
also of that State. A ifarmer by occupation he removed to Iowa in 1850 
and operated a tract of land near Burlington for a few vears. He then 
went to Cincinnati, Iowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining 
days, the father passing away in 1894, at the age of ninety-four years, 
while the mother was called to her final resting place in 1889, at the age of 
liftv-nine. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Mariam Pritchard 
and Mrs. Rebecca Corder, who reside at Cincinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Isabella 
Atherton, of Hannibal, Missouri, and Henry A. 

The doctor pursued his education in the common schools until twelve 
years of age, when he entered a drug store, where he was employed for 
some time. Resuming his studies he was graduated in the high school in 
Cincinnati, and with considerable knowledge of the drug business he de- 
termined to enter upon the study of medicine and make its practice his life 
work. He became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. J. 
M. Sturdevant, and later entered the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa. 

On completing his course in that institution he returned to his old home 
in Cincinnati, where he opened an office and began practicing in 1S76, re- 
maining there until the spring of 1879, when he sought a new field of labor 
in Iwrlton, Kansas, He represented the medical fraternity of that city for 
ten years and in iSSgcameto Humboldt where he has since resided, building 
up a large and constantly increasing practice He exercises great fraternal 
delicacy in his work and has strict regard for the ethics of the professional 
code. His knowledge of the medical science is comprehensive and exact, 
and thus he has attained a prominent position in his chosen calling. His 
broad humanitarian spirit prompts his response to every call, no matter 
what hardships are entailed in making the visit. He never refuses to visit 
a patient even wlien he knows that no pecuniary reward may be expected, 
but he also has a large patronage from among the more substantial class of 
citizens in Humboldt and the surrounding country. 

Dr. Brown has been twice married and by the first union had one 
daughter, Mrs. Ivlla Bordenkircher, of Chanute, Kansas. For his second 
wife the doctor cho.se Mi-^s Minnie, daughter of Eli and Mary Neff, who 
are residents of Humboldt, Mr. Neff being one of the largest stock traders 
in both Allen and Wilson counties. The doctor is a member of various in- 
surance orders, and fr.itern.il and medical .-iocieties. In politics he has al- 
ways been a stalwart Republican and has twice been elected and .served as 
coroner of Allen County. He has, however, never been a politician in the 
sense of office seeking, preferring to give his attention to his busine.ss 
affairs. 



WOODSON COUNTIliS, KANSAS. 2,-^7 

"^^ 711-1, lAM DAVIS — Among the conspicuous characters and success- 
" ^ lul farmers of Allen County is William Davis, of Marmatou 
township. He has been in the county more than a generation, for he came 
to it in April 1878, and, as is well known, settled upon a piece of the dis- 
puted land. He aided for twenty years in carrying on an honest and ag- 
gressive legal fight for land which he believed the settlers were entitled to 
and only ceased when tlie court of last resort said he was in the wrong. 
His home place, the southeast quarter of section 19, township 25, range 
21, presents such an appearance of unusual development as to warrant a 
passerby in believing it an old-settled, pioneer place. While it is a new 
farm practically, yet it is an old one for there hadn't been a plow stuck into 
it nor a post driven on it before Mr. Davis took pos.session of it. 

Mr. Davis came into Allen County from Appanoose County, Iowa, to 
which point he went two years after the close of the Rebellion. He was 
l)()rn in Noble County, Ohio, May 21, 1844. His father, IClijah Davis. 
was also reared in Noble County, Ohio, but was born in Virginia. He 
was married to Mary Buckley in Noble County and died there in 1887 at 
the age of seventv-nine years. He was a successful and prosperous farmer, 
was identified with the Republican party and maintained himself, as a citi- 
zen, honorable before the world. 

Our subject's paternal grandfather was Thomas Davis. He was a 
schoolteacher and farmer and was a native of the "Old Dominion', state. 
He died about 1854, aged seventy years and was descended from Scotch 
ancestry. 

Mr. Buckley, grandfather of our subject, died in the military service 
of the United vStatts in the War of 1812. He went into the service from 
the state of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Elijah Davis died in 1897, leaving the 
following children: Catharine, who married William Fowler, resides in Noble 
county, Ohio; Levi Davis, of Taylor County, Iowa; William, our subject; 
Eli Davis, of Noble County, Ohio; Thomas Davis, of the old home county, 
and Mary, wife of Lowry Smith, of the same point. Those who passed 
away in early life are: Joseph, died in Appanoose County, Iowa; Abraham, 
died in the army, and Leroy, died in Ohio. 

William Davis acc|uired no more than a country school education. In 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 92nd Ohio Infantry, Captain E. 
G. Dudley and Colonel B. F. Ferring. He was mustered into the regiment 
at Marietta, Ohio, and it was ordered up the Kanawa valley. Among the 
important things done, uuoflficially, on that trip was the raiding of apple 
orchards and cliicken roosts. The regiment was ordered b\ boat from 
Charleston, to Nashville, Tenn., where it went into camp for a time. From 
this point it proceeded to Carthage, Tenn., where it guarded the river a few 
months. Actual hostilities with the regiment began at Chicainaugua. 
Then followed Missionary Ridge where Mr. Davis lay at the foot of the 
hill and watched Hooker drive the Rebels off of Lookout Mountain. His 
own command helped drive them off the other side of the mountain. About 
this time Mr. Davis was called in for a detail and he was informed that he was 



2^8 HISTOKY OK Al.l.K.N AND 

the only man who had not been off duty in his company or on detail. The 
special service detail which he got took him away from his regiment perma- 
nently. He did not again see it till all were mustered out, in June, 1S65. 

Mr. Davis took up the serious responsibilities of life when he left the 
army. He went back to the farm and was married Xovember 1 , of the 
same year to Eliza J. Nicholson. They remained in Ohiti till 1867 when 
they moved out to Iowa as previously stated. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davis' children are; Abraham L-, "f Stroud, Oklahoma: 
Mary C. , wife of A. Morris, of Pawnee, Oklahoma: Margaret, wife of Chas. 
H. Ford, of Allen County; Joseph M. Davis, whose wife was Rachael Cul- 
bortson; Thomas E. Davis, whose wife was Ethel Wood; Minnie, now wife 
of Frank Miller. 



AIJiERT L. DANIELS, a resident of Carhie township, .\llen County, 
since 1881, and one of the substantial and progessive farmers of the 
county, came to the State of Kansas from Ford County, Illinois. In 1864 
he went into Woodford County, that State, and resided in that county. 
Champaign, and Ford for seventeen years, or until his eniigradon to Kan- 
sas. Mr. Daniels was born at Woodbury, \'ermont, January 26, 1844. His 
father, Luke Daniels, was born at Danville, Vermont, in 1802 and died in 
Woodbury in 1871. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was one of 
the early men and settlers of Danville, as was Luke Daniels. Their occu- 
pation was farming and these early ancestors wereof the strong, rugged and 
honorable people of the community. 

Luke Daniels married Maria Keniston, a ueice of two Revolutionary 
soldiers, and a daughter of a soldier in our war for independence. 
Mrs. Daniels died in 1874 and was the mother of: Noah, who left Vermont 
a young man and was ne\-er heard from more; Alanson, of Vermont: 
Lovisa, wife of William Cook, of Hopkinton, New Hampshire; Samuel, 
who died in Vermont in 1898; George, of Vermont; Lovina, of Paxton, 
Illinois is the wife of H. H. Atwood, and Albert L., the subject of 
this sketch. 

At twelve years of age A. L- Daniels was bound to a brother for eight 
years. He was liberally schooled and became competent to teach before 
his apprenticeship was ended. He paid liberally for the time he taught 
until his majority and made teaching a business till he was thirty-three 
vears of age. He canied on farming on a modest scale the latter years of 
this period and between the two vocations he laid the foundation for a good 
degree of financial independence. As a teacher he was most proficient and 
successful and the five year season in the Swede settlement in Ford County, 
Illinois, marked an era in his career in the profession. 

Mr. Daniels brought with him to Kansas a limited amount of capital. 
He purcha.sed an eighty acre tract in section 17, township 24, range 19, 
and began its improvement and cultivation. Hi-~ record as a farmer and 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 239 

Stock grower has come to be known, for his efforts at both have been 
reasonably and properl)- rewarded. The breeding and growing -of fine 
liogs has claimed a share of his attention and the business has long passed 
the experimental point with him. The area of his farm is three times the 
original one and there are greater opportunities for him in the future. 

Mr Daniels was married in Woodford County, Illinois in 1868 to 
Clara Robinson, a daughter of Rev. Sumner Robinson, a resident of 
Benton, Kansas. Mr. Robinson is a native of the State of Maine. Mr. 
and Mrs. Daniels' children are: Lula, wife of Hervey Bowlby; Erta, wife of 
Newton Reno, of Vates Center; Fred, who married Jane Busley; Cordie, 
Walter and Floy. 

In their political affiliations our subject's forefathers were Whigs. 
His father espoused Democracy but the sons all became followers of Fre- 
mont and Lincoln and later Republican lights. In religious matters Mr. 
Daniels is an earnest advocate of Christianity and holds a membership in 
the Baptist church of lola. 



JOHN ELLISON POWELL, of the firm of Henderson & Powell, of 
^ lola, is a son of John Powell, one of the early settlers of Carlyle town- 
ship, Allen county. The latter came to the county in i860 and located 
upon a claim in section 34 where he opened a farm, improved it and has 
since resided upon it. He came to Kansas, directly, from Macon county, 
Illinois, previously from Madison county, Indiana, and starting his migra- 
tion to the westward from Sciota county, Ohio. He was born in that 
county Janu.iry 31, 1826, and his father was John Powell, a farmer, who 
died at an early age. The latter's mother was the first white child born in 
Lawrence county, Ohio. 

John Powell, our subject's father, married Rachel Quick, a daughter 
of James Quick, who was one of the first settlers of Carlyle township and 
emigrated from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. The Powell chil- 
dren of this union are: Dora, wife of Orrin Lake, of Round Valley, Cali- 
fornia; P. Jasper Powell, of Anderson county, Kansas; Celena Powell, who 
married M. E. Hutchinson, of lola; J. Ellison Powell; Mary Powell; Ada, 
wife of James Carter, of lola; Emma and Cora Powell, teachers of Allen 
county. 

J. E. Powell was born in Allen county, Kansas, June 4, i860. He 
was schooled at Maple Grove and finished his education at the Fort Scott 
Business College. When he left the parental roof at the age of twenty-five 
years it was to engage in the real estate busine.ss at Buffalo. Kansas. Later 
he became associated with H. L. Henderson in the same business in 
lola. The press for business in that line became so great in lola that 
farming seemed more profitable and Mr. Powell retired to his farm in 
Geneva. Three years later when prosperity dawned upon our city and 



240 HISTORY OF AI.I.EN AND 

activity centered in real estate Mr. Powell again joined Mr. Henderson and 
the firm has been one of the prominent ones of Tola. 

Junes, 1891, Mr. Powell married Dora, a daughter of Samuel Full- 
wider. Mrs. Powell was born in Anderson county, Kansas, June 15, i<S68. 
Their children are: Narcissus, Jasper M., Fay M. and Ival Powell. 



/"^ KORGK MEREDITH. — .\mong the loyal and patriotic .Anglo-Ameri- 
^-^ can citizens of Elm township, Allen county, whose enviable reputa- 
tion abounds throughout his township and county and whose substantiality 
has been acquired there is George Meredith, retired farmer, of LaHarpe. 
He came to Allen county in March 1870 and permitted George- A. Bowlus 
to sell him a piece of gra.ss land on the ea.st side of Elm township. He was 
a young man then and possessed the courage and determination equal to 
overcoming the task of changing this grassy waste into a productive farm 
and an attactive home. He began the work of cultivation and improve- 
ment at once and, during the twenty-eight years which he occupied it, 
reached a point of financial indepndence worthy to be sought by our 
American youth. The loss of his wife in 1896 left him without coirrprniion- 
able surroundings and two j'ears later he took up his residence in LaHarpe 
to be near friends and associates. 

George Meredith was born in Herefordshire, England. April 3, 1830. 
He was a son of a small farmer, James Meredith, whose ancestors had 
resided in the same shire for many generations. His mother was Maria 
Porter, and George was tlie seventh and last son of their family. He and 
his sister, Mrs. Mary Prosser, of Wilmington, Loraine county, Ohio, are 
the only members of the family on the west side of the Atlantic. He grew 
up on the little home farm in England and educated himself in Ohio, after 
he had reached the age of maturity. He left Liverpool March 25, 1849, 
aboard the "Caleb Grimshaw," a sailing vessel, and reached New York 
after five weeks of tossing and wallowing in the sea. He was destined for 
Oberlin, Ohio, where he had some acquaintance, and where he remained 
for five years. He worked about from place to place at the wages of ten 
dollars per month and, in 1854, came west to Davenport, Iowa. There he 
was employed as teamster tor a miller and was engaged in milling either 
as employe or as an interested partner, in that city for many years. When 
the Civil war was in progress and the nation seemed so much in need of 
troops he determined to drop his business and enlist. He had notified his 
employer of this fact and the latter, desiring to retain his valuable helper, 
reported to the examining surgeon that Meredith was not an able-bodied 
man and that he was not competent for military duty and that, if he re- 
ported himself for enlistment, to so inform him. The scheme worked well 
and our subject was thus deprived of serving his adopted country in time 
of war. 

When George Meredith came to Kansas he brought less than three 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 24 I 

hiitidred dollars with him. The land he purchased, on contract, was 
found to be in the "disputed belt" and he joined the League to aid in re- 
claiming the government title through the courts. He entered the quarter 
as a claim and supported the contest till it was seen that the railroad would 
win when he again bought the tract — this time at a higher price — and the 
controversy was then and there ended. 

Mr. Meredith was married in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1854 to Esther 
Ravenhill who came to the United States in 1851 from England. She was 
born in 1826 and died without issue. 

The first presidential vote of our subject was cast for General Scott, 
and when the Republicans put up their first candidate he supported him. 
The great Lincoln he also pinned his faith to, and the administration from 
1897 to 1901 has no parallel, in his judgment, in important national 
achievements and in assuaging the anguish and discontent of our citizens 
as a result of a preceding administration. 



/^^ARL OHLFEST.— For thirt\ years Carl Ohlfest has been a resident 
^-^ of Allen county, and during that period has been actively identified 
with its agricultural and industrial interests. He belongs to that class of en 
terprising American citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to the 
New World. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 27th day of 
November, 1S33, and his father, Carl Ohlfest, Sr. , was also a native of the 
same locality. Our subject now has one brother living, John N. , who is a 
valued resident of Allen county. 

In the land of his nativity Carl Ohlfest acquired his education and 
learned the brick-mason's trade. Hoping to better his financial condition 
in America, he made preparations to leave Germany in 1856, and joined a 
company of .six hundred emigrants who took passage on the westw-ard 
bound vessel. Napoleon. He first located at Valparaiso, Indiana, where 
he followed his chosen trade for a number of years. In 1870 he came to 
Kansas, locating in Allen county, where he has since engaged in business as 
a brick-mason and farmer. He settled on a tract of prairie land a half mile 
south of the present town of LaHarpe, and with characteristic energy 
began its development, transforming the wild tract into richly cultivated 
fields constituting one of the finest farms of the county. 

Mr. Ohlfe.st has been twice married. He tinst wedded Katrina Roeder, 
of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Delia Mounsir became his second wife. The 
latter's great-grandfather, Adam Hahn, located in Maryland at an early 
period in the history of that state. Her father, Reuben Hahn, is still 
living, at the age of eighty-two years. She has three brothers and one 
sister living: D. H. Hahn, a physician at Wauneta, Kansas; R. H. Hahn, 
a cattle inspector in Oklahoma, and C. C. Hahn, an author of consider- 
able repute. His work, "In Cloisters Dim," has created much favorable 
comment among critics. Josephine, the only living sister of Mrs. Ohlfest, 



242 HISTORY OF ALLEN ANU 

is the wife of Mr. Olney, a hoot and shoe merchant of Fresno, California. 
In his political views Mr. Ohlfest has always been a Republican, un- 
swerving in support of the principles of tlie party. For many yeai^s he has 
been a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife belong.-; to the 
Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. He is faithful to the duties of citizenship and to every rela- 
tion in life. He owes his prosperity entirely to his own efforts. His labors 
have never been performed in a desultory or intermittent manner but have 
been vigorously prosecuted, and his sound judgment has so enabled him to 
direct his efforts that he lias gained therefrom a handsome competence. 



T UTE P. STOVER, County Surveyor of Allen County, and a gentle- 
-l — 'man with large farming and live stock interests therein, was born Feb- 
ruary lo, 1873, in Humboldt, Kansas. He is the oldest .son of Tindall S. 
Stover, of Jola, and was reared in his native county. In the lola .school,^ 
where he graduated, he was noted for his original and inquisitorial nature 
and was noted as a specially bright and well-informed boy. His fund of 
information e.Ktended to subjects where small boj-s are not wont to tread 
and his powers of expressing his ideas were remarkably well developed. 
His teachers learned not to be surprised at any demonstration of learning, 
any technical inquiry or any impersonation of character from his lips and 
such a fund of humor ran through it all as easily to mark him an extra- 
ordinary and promising pupil. After leaving the lola schools he went to 
the old Stover home in Maine and spent two years in the Blue Hill Acade 
my. He finished his education with two years in the University of Kansas 
where betook an irregular course, chief among hisstudies being civilengin- 
eering and surveying. 

Mr. Stover's business life began in the Indian Territory where he spent 
two years surveying and doing newspaper work. He was on papers in 
Blackwell, Oklahoma, and in Tallequah, Cherokee Nation, and came 
back to tola to take charge of the business of the Stover Abstract Companv. 
Daring this period of employment the Republicans nominated him for 
County Surveyor (in 1895) and he was elected by a majority of over 1300 
votes. In 1S97 he was again a candid ite and this time the Fusion candi- 
date succeeded in getting his name on both the Populist and Democratic 
tickets and tlie Republican majority for this office was something over 
300 votes. 

During his incumbency of the surveyor's office Mr. Stover married a 
lady whose Allen County interests were extensive and he succeeded to the 
active management of her affairs. For three years from the first of 1897. 
he was chiefly engaged in the cattle business and in farming. 

The marriage ol our subject occurred February i, 1897, the lady of his 
choice being Miss Madge, a daughter of the late pioneer, Paul Fisher. 

January ist, 1900, Mr. Stover joined Herman Tholen and Ben Achter, 



WOODSOX COUNTIES. KANSAS. 243 

of Huniholdt, ill the formitioii 01 the lola Wholesale Grocery Coiiip:iiiy and 
was chosen its Treasurer. 

The political tendencies of Lute Stover are matters of gent;ral informa- 
tion. He was a Republican when a boy in knee pants and he took as 
much interest in elections as the average politician of today. He knew the 
leaders of the parties in the big states and was conversant with the current 
political events then as now. Upon the organization of the lola militia com- 
pany he was chosen its captain and gave the boys their first serious lesson in 
militarv tactics. 



pipD.MUXD H. TOBEY— One of the leading farmers and stock men of 
-'— ' Allen County is Edmund H. Tobey, County Commissioner. He 
has resided within the confines of the State more than thirty' years and in 
that time has established a reputation for industry, thrift and personal in- 
tegrity. He was born in Duchess County, New York, August 30, 1837, 
and is a son of Albert Tobey, who was born in the year 1800 in the State 
of Connecticut and his mother, nee Emily Howes, was born in Sullivan 
County, New York. Of their family of four children Edmund H. was the 
youngest. The latter was married in 1859 to Miss M. L,. Card, whose peo- 
ple came originally from Columliia County, New York. 

Mr. Tobey came to the Sunflower State without means and went to 
work. His remarkable energy and tenacity coupled with the qualities al- 
ready enumerated have won him a high place among the substantial men 
of the county. He has accumulated land by the section and his herds of 
fat and stock cattle feed over his domains year in and year out. As a ship- 
pei he is known extensively and his place is a market for acres of his neigh- 
bors' surplus corn. 

Mr. Tobey has comported liinnelf in a nifinner to win the confiience 
social and political, of his fellow citizens. .\Ithough he has been a pro 
nounced Republican in p jlitics his friends of the opposition have not failed 
to endorse his ci'idiilicv or aid his aspirations i)T public office. In igoo 
he was nominated by the Republican County Conveiition for Commissioner 
iif the vSecond district and hi was elected by a majority com jlimsntary to 
him as a citizen and satisfactory to his party. 

"Maple Avenue," his home, is a product of Mr. Tobay's own ingenui- 
ty and taste. It lies one and a half miles south of LaHarpe and comprises 
his residence, barns and grounds adjacent. It is one of the most conspicu- 
ous places oa the drive crossing Elm Creek an:l is of a character highly 
creditable to the substantial development of Allen County. 



\ A 7ILUA.M TURNER — It is in this article that are presented the facts 

* ^ which led to the early development of the lola gas field. It is the 

subject of this brief biography who was responsible for this early develop- 



244 HISTORY OF Al.LKX AND 

iiieiit and who lias had no little coiinectioii with it. William Turner, 
superintendent of the LaHarpj works, of the Lanvon Zinc Company, i> the 
p-rson referred to in the introduction hereto. While on a visit to a sister 
in Ellsmore township, Allen County, in 1896 he heard of Ida's gas find and 
decided to investigate its strength and merits, as fuel, etc , in the hope 
that he would find a desirable point for his employers, the Lanyons, to re- 
engage in the smelting business. After convincing himself that the volume 
of fuel necessary to operate any factory enterprise indefinitely, was under 
the city he consulted L. L. Northrup to determine whether any induce- 
ments would be offered to manufacturers to locate in lola. Finding a 
readiness on the part of the latter gentleman to go to great lengths and 
sacrifices to inject a breath of real life into his town Mr. Turner reported the 
result of his find, with recommendations, to Robert H. Lanyou who visited 
lola and verified the report. Negotiations weie soon set in motion which 
resulted in the erection of the Lanyon Zinc Company's works No. i , the 
pioneer smelter in the gas belt. 

William Turner's part in the development of the gas field was in the 
ca^iacity of supervising constructor of the Robert Lanyon's Sons two large 
smelters at lola and LaHarpe. Having done this and completed the work 
of building for that company he was placed in charge of the LaHarpe 
plant and was undisturbed in his position when the Lanyon interests went 
into the great consolidated company. Mr. Turner's career as a smelter 
man extends over a period of ten years. He became connected with the 
Lanyon's at Nevada, Mis.souri, in 1890, in the capacity of mill-wright and 
was With them two years there. In 1S92 he was .sent by them to Wauke- 
gan, Illinois, where he remained repairing and constructing four years. 
Upon leaving this point it was to take a vacation and visit his sister in 
K.insas, resulting in the discovery of the gas field and the construction of 
the first lola >melter. 

Mr. Turner wa- born in Delaware County, Indiana, April 17, 1852. 
His lather was Jonas Turner who entered land in that county The latter 
settled eight miles south of Muncie and resided there until his death 
in 1S66. He was born in Green County, Ohio in 1812 and was a son of a 
wheel-wright, George Turner, who settled near Xenia, Ohio, very early and 
afterward went into Delaware County, Indiana. Walter Turner, father of 
George Turner, came to America during the French and Indian war as a 
soldier with the King's army. He felt his duty to his king greatet than 
those to his adopted country and he did not serve with the patriots during 
the Revolution. He died near Xenia, Ohio, leaving as many as six sons: 
Joseph, Jonathan, Robert, Ambrose, Isaac and George. The latter married 
Fanny Oaks and died in Delaware County, Indiana. Their children were: 
Joshua, Jonathan, Jonas, George, Riley, Robert and John, all of whom 
reared families. 

Jonas Turner married Patsy Gibson, whose father, William Gib.son; 
wa.s a southern man and a preacher. Mrs. Turner died in 1S89 at the age 
of seventv-six years Their children were: John, who died in iS!S^: Sirah, 
deceased, was the wife of William Felton; Jonathan Turner, of Delaware 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 245 

Ccninty, Indiana, a farmer; Phebe, deceased, left children by 'two husbands 
(James Lacey and Lasley L. Herold): Jnie, wife of Joel Canady, of Els- 
niore, Kansas; Philip Tnrner, of Delaware County, Indiana, and William, 
our subject. 

At the age of sixteen William Turner began learning the machinist 
trade in Muncie, Indiana, in the old Phelps Foundry and Machine Shop. 
Before he had completed his term of service the shop closed and our sub- 
ject took up the carpenter trade. He worked in and around Muncie and 
practically, completed the trade. He followed it many years, together with 
milf-wrighting, in Indiana and Wisconsin. He was located at Richland 
Center in the latter State and was in a saw-mill and furniture factory there 
for a time. From this point he went to Irving, Illinois, and resided five 
years. All the time he was on the road putting up mills of all kinds and 
because of this fact he was first induced to come to Kansas. He went to 
Humboldt in 1884 to put in the machinery of the Lindsay flouring mills. 
He put in a paint mill at Deep Water, Missouri and from this point went 
to Nevada where, after an elapse of time he became associated with the 
Lanyons. 

August 15, 1875, Mr. Turner was married at Irving, Illinois, to Mary 
J. Carriker, a daughter of John Carriker, an early settler of Montgomery 
County, Illinois, and from North Carolina. Their only son is John Turner. 
.who is married to Lne Ricketts and is a foreman for the Lanyon Zinc Com- 
pany. Josie Turner is the only daughte'r of our subject. 

Mr. Turner is a Mason, Odd Fellow, Elk, Woodman and a Republican. 



/'^LAUS BARNHOLT, of LaHarpe, a successful farmer and one of the 
^— ^ early settlers of Elm township, is a character among the substantial 
men of his community. He -vvas born in Holstein, now a part of the Ger- 
man Empire, March 21, 1836. His parents were in humble circumstances 
and his father supported his family at day labor as a timberman or woods- 
man. The latter was Henry Barnholt, who died in Germanj^ in 1884. He 
was born with the century and was first married to Annie Timm, who died 
in 1838. Their other two children were Annie, wife of Hermann Hatz, 
and Hans Barnholt, both in the Fatherland. Henry Barnholt's second 
wife was Lina Ohlfest, a sister of John and Carl Ohllest, prominent and in- 
fluential farmers of Allen county. The children of this marriage were 
Catherine, widow of Carl Heeley, who resides in LaHarpe; Henry Barn- 
holt, of Holstein, Germany, and Carl Barnholt, of LaHarpe, Kansas. 

Clans Barnholt came to the United States in 1868. He sailed from 
Hamburg on the "Itonia" for New York and located first at Valparaiso, 
Indiana. He had been accustomed towage working in his native land and 
this was what he took up in America. He remained about Valparaiso two 
years and, in 1870, came to Kansas with the Ohlfests. The first five years 
in Allen county he passed as a farm laborer, working for the old and sub- 



246 HISTORY OF ALI.KN AXD 

staiUial citizens of Elm township, including Tobc-v, Pickell, etc. In the 
spring of 1S75 he bought an eighty in section 2, township 25, range 19. and 
put into it tlie wages he had saved since his arrival in the United States. 
His success in farming and, to a limited extent, stock raising, has brought 
him to a position of financial ease not always achieved by the average 
farmer. He has added eighty acres to his first purchase giving him a 
quarter section of land. 

Claus Barnholt has known nothing but w^ork. It is one of the char- 
acteristics of his race. Reaching maturity vvitli no special opportunities 
and no talent resources his capital was his industry. The world was be- 
fore him and it is always kind to the honorable .son of toil. In the vigor of 
manhood did he put forth his greatest efforts and what he achieved will 
supply his wants in old age. He is a Republican. 



HENRY BUSEEV, of Elm township, Allen county, successful farmer, 
and thrifty and progressive citizen, has passed a full score of years 
w^itlvin the confines of his county and is a gentleman worthy to be known 
and trusted. He came amongst us almost a raw English emigrant and 
purchased a small farm in section 23, township 24, range 19. He reached 
lola on the 4th of March, 1880, and the next day was driven into the 
countr> by George A. Bovvlus, lola's genial banker, then an ordinary land 
agent. He sold Mr. Bu.sley the tract above mentioned and the latter 
brought his family to his new home at once. 

Mr. Busley was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 29, 1845, and was 
left an orphan by the accidental death of his father, Samuel Busley, two 
years later. There were six children in the family and Henry is the only 
one who ventured acrcss the Atlantic. Jane Scotney was our subject's 
mother. Her other children were: John, William, Samuel, Ann, Sarah, 
and George, Joseph and Jane Reed, the last three by her second husband. 

Henry Busley was strictly a fanner boy and at eleven years of age 
began the task of finding his own keep. He worked seven years for one 
man at four pounds the first year and at ten pounds a year the last two 
years. The following four years he spent with another farmer at sixteen 
pounds per year. The last tour years in England were spent as foreman 
over a farm. In this position he acquired a valuable and accurate know- 
ledge of caring for all kinds of stock belonging to the farm. 

On reaching the United States Mr. Busley located in Livingston 
county, New York, and spent seven years there. He became foreman of a 
large farm belonging to Mr. William Hamilton, a leading man of that 
county. He was induced by Arnold and Kemp, emigration agents, to 
make a trip to the west with the result as above mentioned. 

Farming in the west Mr. Busley has found to be different to farming in 
England or New York. He has been able in the years he has cultivated 
Kansas soil to not only improve his original home but to add to it a li.ilf 




<^4^5^^-2-^2-*^ ^^^0-t>K:) 



'-.^-^-2x7.-^ (i^o--x^^t^ ^e ^ 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 247 

section of land and to properly improve and till the same. In hi.s case 
agriculture includes the growing and handling of stock. Much of his ac- 
cretions have come from this source and when conducted with wisdom it 
produces the easie.st money a farmer makes. 

For three years Mr. Busley has given much of his time to the interests 
of the L,anyons and their successors. The leasing of territory for pro.spect- 
ing for gas and the renewal of leases in the territorj' of L,aHaipe are mat- 
ter which the company has entrusted to him and the fidelity with which he 
performs his duties is a matter of common recognition. He has a personal 
interest in the development of the gas fields of Allen county for his' land is 
all within the territory and the "Busley well" is the farthest north, yet 
discovered. 

Mr. Busley was married in 1868 to Sarah A. Green and their children 
are: Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William Higgins; Mary Jane, wife of Fred 
E. Daniels; and Annie G., John W. , Emily, Thurza E., George H., Nellie, 
Harry and Albert J. Busley, all in the family home. 

In matters of public policy Mr. Busley is a Republican. His first 
presidential vote was cast for the lamented Garfield and his voice and vote 
have gone to each Republican nominee since the campaign of 1880. 

As a citizen Mr. Busley is honest, energetic and industrious. As a 
business man he possesses the utmast integrity and practices only the recog- 
nized principles of business. As a neighbor he is accommodating and 
helpful, encouraging the timid and lending substantial aid to the weak. 



P^ELIS P. DELAPLAIN is one of the early .settlers of Elm township, 
-'—'Allen County. He dates his advent to the county from the year 186S 
when his father, Joshua P. Delaplain, emigrated from Macoupin County, 
Illinois, and became a permanent resident of this new country. Ellis 
Delaplain was born in Madison County, Illinois, January 3, 1850, and fin- 
ished his education in the Brighton, Illinois, high school. Tilling the 
soil has engaged his attention here for nearly thirty-two years, continuous- 
ly, and when, at two different times, he tried to settle to be content else- 
where, he found it impossible and each time returned to the fertile plains 
of Kansas. 

Mr. Delaplain was married in lola May 14, 1871 , to Jennie Peiin, 
whose father, John Penu, settled in Macoupin County, Illinois, in an early 
day. He was a native of St. Clair County, that State, and was married to 
Catherine Bates. The other Penn heirs are: Charles, Joseph, Benjamin 
and Samuel Penn. 

Mr. and Mrs. Delaplain's children are: Hairy J. ; Herbert W. ; and 
Earl L. Delaplain, all of whom inhabit the family home. 

Mr. Delaplain has been, for some years, one of the well known stock 
handlers of his township. He is one of the extensive farmers of the county 



^4>S IIISTtWY OF ALLKN AXU 

and with the aid of his sons is operating the large tract of George G. Kox 
near LaHarpe. 

The political affiliations of the Delaplains are well known. Their Re- 
publicanism is not a subject of doubt or question and their interest in 
lionest and wholesom; municipal government is constant and unflagging. 
Our subject has served his to'.vnship efficiently as trustee as well as its con- 
stable and his conduct of botli offices marks him as eminently fair and 
scrupulcjus in his execution of the law. 



JOHN WKSLEY LAURY, Marmaton township's successful fanner and 
popular citizen, was born in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, February 
2, 1853. Godfrey Laury, his father, was born in Lehigh County, in 1823, 
and was a Pennsylvania Dutchman. His early life was pa.ssed as a merch- 
ant at Mahanoy in Schuylkill County, but the last twenty years of his life 
were spent with our subject on the farm. John Laury, our subject's grand- 
father, was one of the successful farmers of Lehigh and Northampton 
Counties. Pennsylvania, in the former of which he died in 1832. His son, 
Godfrey, served under General Albright in the defense of Washington 
when the Rebels were marching on the ca[)ital in the summer of 1863. 

Godfrey Laury married Anna Maria Dreisbach, a daughter of Daniel 
Dreisbach, a Carbon County Pennsylvania farmer. Mrs. Laury died in 
Allen County, Kansas, in 1866, at the age of sixty-three years: while her 
husband died .March 29. 1897. Their children are: John W., our subject: 
Emma, wife of Theodore Maxson, of Elm township, and Ella, who married 
J. O. Eagle, of Allen County. 

The Laurys came to Kansas in 1878 and settled upon section 9, town 
26, range 20, which our subject has succeeded in reducing to a productive 
farm and a comfortable home. A few years after his advent to the county 
he tliscovered an opening in his community for a country butcher and he 
fitted out a store-on-wheels and engaged in the business. Fourteen years 
is almost a generation but it is that long since this venture was under- 
taken and its success has been ample and more than its projector 
anticipated. 

May 18, 1882, John W. Laury was married to Alice McCray, of Wil- 
son County, Kansas, a daughter of William McCray who came to Kansas 
from Hancock County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Laury's children are: 
William G., Charles McCray, Clara Olivia, John W. Jr., Emma Alice, 
George Aldridge. Raymond H., Everett M., and Ruth Jane. 

With nothing has John Laury been more familiar and taken a deeper in- 
terest in .Allen County, than its politics. The time was not when he was not a 
Republican. He inherited the spirit from his ancestors, breathed it from the 
air in which he was reared and practiced it from the time he reached his 
majority. He cast his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hays and 
he has felt it a great privilege to be permitted to aid in choosing for the 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 249 

Presideiic\' such men as Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley. Mr. Laury's 
convention record, as a delegate, is a long and almost unbroken one. His 
influence is of far-reaching ani weighty character and the candidate whose 
cause he espouses finds him enlisted for the war. He has been urged for 
the County Treasurership, which office he is admirably adapted to preside 
over, but the opportunity has not yet arrived. Were all the elements of our 
composite citizenship as indu; trious, as energetic, as honest and as 
patriotic as John \V. Lauiy there would be no need of court or juries or 
lawyers. 



JOHN GWII.LIM — In March, 1871, John Gvvillim took up his residence 
" in Allen County. He owns the north half of the southeast quarter of 
section 6, town 25, range 20, but settled upon section 29. town 24, range 
20. He came from Herefordshire, England. 'where he was born ^iarch 3, 
1846. His father died in Herefordshire in 1897 at the age of eighty-two 
years. The latter was married to Harriet Lloyd and their children were: 
John, Mary, William, Robert, of England: Thomas, of Wallowa County, 
Oregon: Martha and Elizabeth, both in Oregon, and Ebenezer Gwillim, 
who still clings to his English home. 

John Gwillim was reared on a farm and left old England 'at the age of 
twenty-four years. He had sufficient capital to begin business on in Kan- 
sas and, after spending a year in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, he came 
liither and added his name to the list of prairie farmers of Elm township. 

He was married before he emigrated from England to Ann Watkins, 
who died in 1877, leaving a daughter, Annie, who is her father's companion. 

Mr. Gwillira's first presidential vote was cast for Garfield and his fealt)' 
to the Republican party has remained constant. He is in no sense a work- 
er, in part\- parlance, but his knowledge of policies and men enables him to 
cast an intelligent and patriotic ballot. 



T A /"ALTER A. KERR, of Elm township, one of the energetic and 
" " substantial young farmers of his community and a son of our 
worthy countryman, Obed Kerr, was born in Pennsylvania October 9, 1869. 
He came into Allen county at the age of nine years and has been reared 
and fairly educated here. His life has been that of a farmer and stockman 
and he remained under the parental roof till near his twenty-ninth year. 
He was married May 13, 1898, to Miss Alice Brookins, a daughter of Prof. 
W. E. Brookins, one of the effective educators of Kansas, now located at 
Blue Mound. The latter was born in New York, is married to Libbie 
Gay, and Fred Brookins and Mrs. Kerr are his two children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kerr's only child is Bessie V. Kerr born May i, 1899. 

Mr. Kerr manages the east half of section 13, town.ship 25, range 19 



250 HISTORY Ol- ALl.KN AND 

one half of which he owns, and he is gradually and surely coming to be 
one of the successful cattle growers and dealers of Elm township. He 
takes a citizen's interest in the management of public affairs, and while he 
has no inclination toward politics he keeps abrea>t of current events and 
manifests a keen concern foi the success of Republican principles at the 
poles. 



CHARLES W. SMITH, one of the foremost young farmers of Elm town- 
ship, whose unquestioned reputation has been established in Allen 
county in the past twenty years, was born in Peoria county, Illinois, Octo- 
ber iS, 1X53. He was reared on the farm of his father, Samuel \V. Smith, 
who died in Allen county, Kansas, in 1886, at the age of sixty-three years. 
The latter was born in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois early in life and was 
married there to Sarah H. Bodine. Mrs. Smith was born in New Jersey in 
1S31 and is a resident of LaHarpe, Allen county, Kansas. Her children 
are: Josephine, wife of Charles Cole, of lola, Chailes W., our subject: 
Addie, wife of \V. H. Baker, of Cherryvale, Kansas; Henry B. Smith, of 
Moran, Kansas; George C, of LaHarpe, and Luella May, wife of Andrew 
Smith, of Withita, Kansas. 

Charles \V Smith was married at twenty-one years and started in life 
as a farmer. He came to Kansas about that date and. with a small amount 
of capital, purchased eighty acres of land north-east of LaHarpe and began 
its improvement and cultivation by degrees. He worked by the day near 
Moran for Peter McGlashan who paid him twenty-five cents more for a 
day's work than any one else was getting, and he earned good wages with 
Vandegrift and Paske who paid hands in proportion to what they vvere 
worth. By this method he acquired the means with which he sustained 
himself and family while the initial strokes of farm improvement were being 
made. When he got some land broken and a shanty erected our subject 
was well on his way toward independence, and when he had accumulated 
a small bunch of cattle and gotten his income to exceed his expenses by 
some fold pro.sperity had really set in. Since he made his first crop of 
twenty acres of broom corn his farm could be relied upon to produce suf- 
ficient for the family needs. 

Mr. Smith's energy is not the kind that would permit him to go back- 
ward instead of fot ward. Whatever he planted he reaped a crop from, if 
weather conditions did not interfere, and if his crop was small one year he 
retrenched just as much in proportion to bring the yearly balance on the 
right side. He is the owner of a fertile one hundred and sixty acres. 

Beyond his father, little is at hand as to the Smith ancestry. Samuel 
W. Smith was an only son and his widowed mother married an Aby, and 
two of tlieir their children survive: G. H. Aby, of Harper county, Kan- 
sas, and Rebecca, wife of Xelson Milles, of McDonough county, Illinois. 

March 23, 1S79, Charles W. Smith was married to Louisa, a daughter 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 25 I 

i)( Jonas Johnson, deceased, of Kiiox county, Illinois. The latter reared 
eight children, six of the surviving ones being in Illinois. Our subject's 
children are: Herschel W., Claire H., Helen Marie and Nola Belle. 

Mr. Smith is a Republican without compromise or apology. He has 
given his services in a modest way to party affairs in Allen county and is a 
delegate to nearly every County convention held. He looks back over his 
modest political history and feels gratified in the belief that he has never 
been on the wrong side in a national campaign. 



A LFRED C. KOHLER. — Elm township, Allen county, contains few 
■^^^ farmers who are more enterprising and progressiye than Alfred C. 
Kohler. His industry and thrift are subjects of common report and his 
pride in farm-improvement, and thus in county-development, is very ap- 
parent to the passerby. It is onl}' sixteen years that he has dealt with con- 
ditions in Kansas, for he came here in 1SS4, and in th.^t space of time 
Pennsylvania energy and perseverance have done effecti\'e work. 

November i, 1845, A. C. Kohler was born in Lshigh county, Penn- 
sylvania. A son of Dr. W. S. Kohler and a grandson of Peter Kohler he 
was reared in Lehigh and Northampton counties. His ancestors were of 
the first settled families in that region and Peter Kohler was one of the 
l.irge land owners in his county. He was a Whig and later a Republican 
while his ancestors were P'ederalists. He married Catherine Steckel and 
died in 1872 at the age of ninety-three years. Of his eight children five 
were sons of whom Dr. W. S. Kohler was the eldest. The latter spent 
forty years in the practice of medicine and died at the place of his birth, 
now Egypt, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1870 at the age of sixty -six 
years. His first wife was Miss Kern who bore him thvee children only one 
of whom died with issue. Dr. John P. Kohler, who left two children. His 
second wife, and our subject's mother, was Catherine Laury, a daughter of 
a Lehigh and Northampton county farmer, John Laury. Of the issue of 
this last marriage Alfred C. Kohler is the eldest. The other children are 
Sarah, Martha, wife of Dr. Erdman, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Silas 
Kohler who resides in Lehigh county. 

A. C. Kohler secured little more than a common school education. 
He was a country youth till his seventeenth year when he went to Phila- 
delphia to clerk for S. H. Bibighaus, a prominent hardware merchant, and 
he remained in the city two years. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, 
One Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel W. R. 
Thomas. The regiment was ordered to Fort Mc Henry and later to John- 
son's Island where it served for a time as prison guard. From this point it 
was stationed at Galipolis, Ohio; Parkersburg, West Virginia, and finally 
returned to Philadelphia where it was mustered out of service. 

For three years succeeding the clo-se of his army service Mr. Kohler 
was in a mill at Copley, Pennsylvania. In 1868 he was married and en- 



252 msTOKV OK AI.I.KN AMI 

imaged ill farming in Northainptoii count> . His wife was Sarah Laubacli, a 
daughter of John Laubach, a Pennsylvania German and a larmer. Mrs. 
Kohler was born in 1850. Their seven children are: John P., who 
married Nannie Mitchell and has two children, Helen and Bulah; Esther 
Kohler, who married Charles Rebman and is the mother of three children, 
Clara, Esther and Sarah; Irene, Richard, Bulah, Charles and Sadie Kohler 
are all on the homestead. 

When Mr. Kohler came to Allen county he located upon the north-east 
quarter of section 17, township 25, range 20, and is now the owner of three 
(juartersof the section less eighty acres. His farm is well stocked and he is 
otherwise admirably situated for reaping a profit from his labors year after 
year. In matters of religion the family are members of the Reformed 
church. 



TAT" E. SLOAN, a well known and prosperous farmer of West Hum- 
y ^ ' boldt. was born in Butler countj^ Pennsylvania, September 29. 
KS55. His father was James F. Sloan and his mother was Martha Oli- 
phatit, both nativ'es of the Keystone state. W. E. Sloan was their third 
child. He was one of thirteen children and was reared in the state of his 
birth. He came to Kansas in 1880 and took a claim in Harvey county. 
He dispo.sed of this in 1884, came to Allen county and purchased a farm 
four miles north-east of Humboldt, which he yet owns. He resides on and 
cultivates, as a tenant, the old Thurston farm just west of Humboldt and is 
regarded as a liberal, progressive and thrifty citizen. 

In August 1880, Mr. Sloan was married to Miss Ella Scott, a daughter 
of M. E. Scott, of Marion county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sloan's mother was 
Miss E. J. Scott, and the state of Pennsylvania was the home of the 
Scotts. Mrs. Sloan was born February 11, 1865, and is the mother of five 
children, viz: Wilbur, Austin, Edward Henry and Fiank. 

In his early manhood and to gain a sum with which to engage in farm- 
ing Mr. Sloan was a wage earner. He was inured to the duties of the 
farm and upon this did he become a hand when he became accountable for 
his future. Whatever he is and has has resulted from the effort of his own 
hands. His political history is told when it is said that he votes the Re- 
publican ticket. He came from a patriotic state and was conceived by 
loyal antecedents and that he is both patriotic and loyal is not a subject of 
wonder. 



T A 7"ILLIAM GWILLIM, of Elm township, who settled in Allen 
* " County, in the spring of 1871, was one of the first of the English 
colony to locate in his township and he came to it from Jo Daviess County 



WOODSOX COfNTIES, KANSAS. 25-? 

Illinois. His .sojourn in that State was only temporary and while there he 
was a visitor of a friend of his father's, hoping to get some information with 
reference to Kansas, in which State it was his intention of making a home. 

Mr. Gwillim was born in Herefordshire, England, October 24, 184S. 
His father was John Gwillim, a representative of one of the old families of 
Monmouthshire in which shire they were farmers as far back as memory 
serves. In olden times the custom was to give the oldest son the Christian 
name and property of the father and in this family the practice prevailed 
yet in modern days. Our subject's grandfather was John Gwillim and his 
great grandfather bore the name of John. 

William Gwillim is the third child of his parents and left Liverpool, 
England, on the steamer City of Paris in th; mDiitli of .May bound for New 
York. He was twelve days at sea and was accompanied by his brother's 
family. Upon coming into Allen County he purchased, on contract, a 
quarter section of railroad land, but when the League seemed in a fair way 
to win their contest for land in the odd sections he joined his fortunes with 
that organization and let his contract forfeit. When the railroad title was 
declared good he again purchased the land and owns now the west 
half of section 29, town 24, range 20. Cattle raising became one of Mr. 
Gwillim's industries and he has become known as a "feeder" in a small 
w^ay. His premises present the appearance of thrift and financial in- 
dependence and add greatly to the settled and matured condition of his 
township. 

Mr. Gwillim was married April 5. 1870, to Sarah Farr, a daughter of 
James Farr, of Herefordshire, England. Their children are: Albert J., 
Sarah J. and William Frederick. 

In National and State politics Mr. Gwillim is a Republican. He has 
been a member of the school board of Pleasant Prairie many years and is 
clerk of the board. In religious matters he is a Methodist. 



T TACKNEY & SON — The firm whose name appears above is one of 
-*- -*- prominence in LaHarpe, actively identified with its commercial in- 
terests. Its members are men of marked business enterprise, excellent ex- 
ecutive ability, keen sagacity and determined purpose. Every well con- 
ducted business concern is of value to the community in which it is located, 
for the welfare, progress and upbuilding of every town or city depends upon 
its commercial activity. Those who control a paying business enterprise 
are therefore representative citizens, and among the number in La- 
Harpe are the two gentlemen, W. J. and Canby H. Hackney, who consti- 
tute the well known firm of Hacknej' & Son. 

The senior member. W. J. Hackney, is a native of Frederick Countv, 
Virginia, his birth having occurred in Winchester, in 1821. When three 
years of age he became a resident of Ohio, and in 1854 he took up his abode 
in Iowa, where he became interested in manufacturing, successfully carrj-- 



254 HISTORY OF AI.I.KN AND 

ing OH business tht-rc until the financial panic of 1S76, when he lost all that 
he had made. In iSSi he came to Allen County ond here entered into 
business with his sons, E. L. and Canby H. In LaHarpe they established 
the enterprise which has since been conducted by the firm whose name in- 
troduces this review. The association was maintained as first organized 
until 1S90, when E. L. Hackney withdrew. He was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary K. Blodgett, whose mother was one of the early settlers o( 
.\llen County, and they are now prospering upon a ranch in the White 
river valley of Colorado. The business was continued by W. J. and Canby 
H. Hackney and has grown to be an important enterprise in LaHarpe. 

In the year 1843 w-as celebrated the marriage of W. J. Hackney and 
Miss Susan D. Canby, a native of ICUicot's Mills, Maryland. Unto them 
were born four children and they had been married for half a century be- 
fore a death occurred in the family. Although fifty-eight years have 
passed since they started upon life's journey together, they are still enjoy- 
ing good health and are quite vigorous. Of their children, one daughter, 
Mrs. Russell, is now deceased. The other daughter, Mrs. Happersett, 
formerly a resident of lola, is now living in Illinois. The elder son, as 
stited above, is a resident of Colorado. In his political views the father 
has long been a stalwart Republican, but the honors and emoluments of 
office have had no attraction for him, his support to the party being freely 
given because of his belief in its principles. 

Canby H. Hackney, the junior member of the firm, was born in 
Davenport, Iowa, in 1856, and spent his boyhood days in his parents' home. 
He was a hard working lad, in early life, showing forth the elemental 
strength of his character by his energy and close application. He pursued 
his preliminary education in the common schools and in Howe's Academy 
of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He then entered upon his business career, re- 
maining in Iowa until 1S81. With his father he then came to Allen 
County without a dollar, but with a clear conscience, knowing that they 
owed no man anything. In Kansas Canby H. Hackney entered upon a 
career which has made him widely known and has gained for him the un- 
(|ualified respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated. 
The firm of Hackney & Son are now engaged in dealing in hay, grain and 
farming implements at LaHarpe. They began operations on a small scale 
and gradually from year to year their business has increased until it has 
assumed extensive proportions. In the employ of the firm is a young man, 
(^riu Hartley, who was left an orphan and came to them when a small boy. 
He has always been honest and diligent and has aided materially in win- 
ning the splendid reputation of the firm. In addition to his interest in the 
store Canby H. Hackney now owns considerable property, having made ju- 
dicious investments in real estate. 

In the year 1892 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Uonnan, 
a native of Livingston County, New York, and a sister of W. J. Donnan, 
one of the substantial settlers of Allen County. The hospitality of the best 
homes of LaHarpe is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Hackney and many friends 
enjoy the good cheer of their ple.isant home. Since attaining his majority 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 255 

C mby H. H.ickney has exercised his right of francliise in support of men 
an! measures of the Republican pirty. but has never been an aspirant for 
office. His attention has been closely given to business and his reliability, 
keen discrimination, and unflagging purpose have enabled him to advance 
steadil}- on the highroad to success. He comes of a family of the Quaker 
faith and the honesty and uprightness so proverbial of that people are mani- 
fest in his career. 



T3OYAL S. COPELIN, a representative of the farming interests of 
-'- *- Allen County, was born in Oneida County, New York, on the 
14th of February, 1856, and is of English lineage. His father, John Cope- 
lin, was a native of England, and during his boyhood came to America 
with his paren'-S. He was born in 182 1, and in 1854 was united in marriage 
to Sarah Ann Perry, a native of Xew York. By trade he was a miller and 
fallowed that pursuit for some time, but subsequentl)' turned his attention 
to finning. In i86o he removed to Illinois, miking his home in Kanka- 
kee, County, until his death, which occurred July 22, 1883. His widow 
still S'lrvives him and is living in Kankakee County, at the age ol sixty- 
three. They were the parents of three children: Eliza, wife of John 
Coa?ch, of Wilmington, Illinois; RoyalS., of this review, and Julia, wife of 
Patterson Patchett, of Kankakee County, Illinois. 

Mr. Copelin, whose name introduces this record, accompanied his 
parents on their removal to Illinois when he was four years of age, and 
acquired a common school education in that State. He was reared 'upon 
the home farm and assisted his father in the cultivation and development 
of the fields until twenty-four years of age, when he was married and be- 
gan farming on his own ace junt. On the r4th of February, 1880, — his 
twenty-fourth birthday, — he wedded Miss Alice Amelia Armitage, who was 
born in Kankakee, Illinois. Her father, James A. Armitage, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, born April 22, 1826, and is still living. He wedded Miss 
Margaret E. Gruer, a native of the Empire State and they became the 
parents of nine children, namslv; Agnes A., Albert A., Authon A., Alice 
A., Winfield S. , Charles W. , Mary A., Jessie J. and James H. The fami- 
ly circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Copelin have been born two children: Stella Maud, a young lady of nine- 
teen years, and Perry A., a lad ot seven summers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Copelin began their domestic life upon a farm in Illinois, 
and there remained until 1887, when they removed to Colorado, locating 
on a ranch of five hundred and sixty acres in Kiowa County. There our 
subject engaged in the cattle business, buying, raising and ishipping cattle 
on an extensive scale, meeting with very creditable success in this venture. 
After he had lived in Colorado three years, hs sold his Illinois farm and 
invested the money in his business in Colorado. He was there elected 
count)- commissioner of Kiowa County for a term of three years. The 



2^6 IIISTOKY OH .\IJ.?:n AND 

county was thirty-seven liy eighty-eight miles in extent, and the office of 
commissioner is one of importance, paying a salary ot five hundred dollars 
and mileage per year, but Mr. Copelin's family were not satisfied in Colora 
do, and, consequently, he sold his ranch and came to Allen County, Kan- 
sas. Here he purchased the excellent farm which he now owns, buying 
the property of C. H. Pratt. It is located a mile and a half northeast of 
Humboldt and Mr. Copelin has placed it under a very high state of cultiva- 
tion. To the north of his pleasant residence is a beautiful grove and drive 
way leads from the main road to his home, standing on an eminence, com- 
mnnding an excellent view of the surrounding country. He trades, buys 
and ships both cattle and hogs, and thus annually augments his income. He 
votes with the Republican party, but takes little part in public affairs, his 
attention being directed to his business interests. 



CH.\RLlv.S B.\L.\Xr), one of the few old settlers that remains in Allen 
county, was born in Sweden December 5, 1S16. He came to Kansas 
in 1859 and took a claim on Coal Creek, three miles east of Humboldt, and 
has gone through all the hardships that go to make up a man's life in a new 
country. 

Mr. Baland served in U. S. Grant's company in the Mexican war, a 
distinction of which he is justly proud. He was also in the army in the 
war of the Rebellion, which makes him a veteran of two wars. He has 
been one of the leading men in this county, serving as Register of Deeds 
for three terms. He has served almost continuously for thirty-five years as 
Justice of the Peace of Humboldt township and was p;jst-master of Hum- 
boldt for many years. 



SIMEON B. WIIXHITE is one of the substantial farmers of Allen 
county, his home being in Humboldt township, where he owns three 
hundred and twenty acres of fine land. He is a western man by birth, and 
possesses the true western spirit of enterprise and progress. A native of 
Missouri, he was born in Clay county, on the 15th of January, 1832, and 
was the eldest in a familj of nine children. His father, Henry Willhite, 
was a native of Kentucky, and married Sarah P'lora, a native of that state. 
Soon afterward they removed to Missouri and became early .settlers of Clay 
county. The father died in 1871, at the age of sixty-two years. Seven of 
his nine children are still living, namely: Simeon B. ; Albert and James, 
of Oklahoma; Henry W., whose home is in Barton county, Missouri; Mrs. 
Margaret Aiken, of Olathe, Kansas. Those deceased are James M. and 
Donelson Willhite, M. D. 

The subject of this review was reared in Missouri, and the public 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 257 

schools afforded him his limited educatiinal privileges. At the time of the 
Civil war he did not enter the service as a volunteer, but participated in 
the battle of Le.xington. When he heard that the Confederates were ad- 
vancing on that town, he went down to help defend it, was given a gun 
and with the others participated in the engagement. 

January 3rd, 1851, Mr. Willhite was united in marriage, in Missouri, 
to Miss Martha Elliott, who was a native of that state. She long proved to 
him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey but was called to 
her final rest December 13, 1899. Sixteen children were born unto them 
as follows: A. Robert, who is living in Allen county, James M., of Okla- 
homa; Henry, of lola, Jesse H. , who resides in California; S. Walter and 
John P., at home; Octavia; John, of Allen county, Kansas; Kate Marshall, 
who died leaving two children, Frank and Edith who are with their father 
in Worth county, Missouri, Mattie, wife of Eli Ellsworth, of Gas, Kansas; 
Sida Clara Veer Laveer, at home; and Mahala. wife of Riley Moore, of 
.\llen county. 

Mr. Willhite came to Kansas in 1880 and purchased the farm on which 
he now resides. At the time of his marriage he owned but one horse, and 
on this both he and his wife rode when they went to visit their neighbors. 
This horse he used for plowing and cultivating his land for two years 
Ijefore he was able to buy another. Eventually success attended him and 
as the years passed he has added to his possessions until he is now the 
owner of three hundred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable 
land. He has upon his place good grades of stock and his fields are under 
a high state of cultivation. His home is a nice country residence, sur- 
rounded b}- fine shade trees, and everything about the place indicates his 
careful supervision. His capital is now sufficient to enable him to put 
aside the more arduous duties of life. In politics he has been a Democrat 
since casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan, but he has never 
sought or desired ofBce. preferring to devote his time to his Inisiness affairs, 
in which he has met with signal success. 



T A TTLLIAM OVERHOLT was born in Hancock county, Ohio, June 
" ^ 4, 1857. his parents being Henry and Sarah (Fritz) Overholt, 
both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The father was a 
farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his active life. He 
died during the early part of the Civil wai at the age of forty-five )-ears. 
His widow, however, is still living in Ohio, and has now attained the ripe 
age of eighty one. They had two sous who loj'ally entered the Union ser- 
vice during the war of the Rebellion, one of whom was taken ill soon after 
joining the army and died, giving his life as a ransom for his country's 
preservation. David served throughout the entire struggle and is now 
living in Ohio. John C. and Henry are also residents of that .state. 

William Overholt, the j-oungest of the five children, was reared under 



258 HISTOKY OF ALLKN AXI) 

the parental roof and as a companion and helpmate on life's journey he 
chose Miss Gertie Redfern, also a native of Hancock county, Ohio, and a 
daughter of Peter C. Redfern. Her mother bore the maiden name of 
Frances Wineland and was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. Redfern died in 1.S93 at the age of fifty-four years, and his 
widow is still living at the age of fifty-four. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Overholt has been blessed with five children, namely: Floyd L, Alma 
Kdna, Willie E. , Merle R. and Orpha H. I. Overholt. The initial letters 
of the youngest daughter spell Mr. Overholt's native state — Ohio. 

In the year 1889 our subject came with his family to Kansas, and after 
lesiding in Humboldt for a short time purchased the Maple Grove farm in 
Salem township, comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich land, 
which he placed under a very high state of cultivation, there residing for 
seven years. He then rented his farm and came to Humboldt, where he is 
now engaged successfully in operating a corn sheller. In his political 
affiliations he is a Republican, and for one term served as trustee of Salem 
township. Both he and his wife are members of the Knights and Ladies 
of Security and in Humboldt and the surrounding country they have a 
large circle of friends limited only by the circle of their acquaintances. 
Classified among the substantial citizens of the community Mr. Overholt 
owes his creditable position to his well-directed efforts in busine.ss and his 
indefatigable energv. 



W 



'ILLIAM A. CHOGUILL, a practitioner at the bar of Allen county, 
recognized as one of the most prominent representatives of the 
legal fraternity of Humboldt, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, March 25, 
1848. His father, Samuel Choguill, a contractor and builder, was born in 
the Buckeye state in 1823. He married Sybilla Todd, an Ohio lady, and 
in 1884 removed to Kansas, where his death occurred in 1890. His widow 
still survives him, and is living on the home farm in Woodson County at 
the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of five children, three of 
whom are: Sarah E. , who is living with her mother; Louis G., who resides 
on the home farm in Woodson County and William A. 

William Alkanzor Choguill is indebted to the public school system for 
his early educational privileges, which were supplemented by study in the 
Hopedale Academy in Jefferson County, Ohio. Later he entered- the 
Lebanon Normal School in Warren County, Ohio, where he completed his 
education and then served an apprenticeship in a drug .store. Subsequent 
Iv he matriculated in the Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, in 
which institution he was graduated in 1S70. After this he studied law with 
the firm of Stewart & Metcalf and was admitted to the bar in McConnells- 
ville, Ohio, in 1879. Believing that there was a better field of labor offered 
to young men in the west where competition was not so great he .started for 
Kansas, arriving in Humboldt on the fifth of March, 1880. He purchased 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 259 

a farm in Woodson Count)", a few miles west of Humboldt, made it his 
place of residence and engaged in its cultivation for three years at the end of 
which time he took up his abode in Humboldt where he has since engaged 
in law practice, rapidly winning his way to a foremost place in the ranks of 
the legal fraternity. 

In 1874 Mr. Choguill married Miss Laureta M. Millner, of Ohio, and 
the hospitality of many of the best homes of the locality is cordially extend- 
ed them. Mr. Choguill is independent in his political views, supporting 
the men and measures th^t he thinks will best promote the country's wel- 
fare. He is, however, a man of superior oratorical power, an eloquent and 
convincing speaker, and on more than one occasion he has entered into the 
campaign work, delivering addresses both in his adopted and in his native 
state. In his fraternal sentiment he is connected with the Odd Fellows 
and the Maccabees. 

Mr. Choguill's career has been one of untiring industry. During the 
years of his residence in Allen County he has championed e\-ery movement 
designed to promote the general welfaie; has supported every enterprise for 
the public good and has materially aided in the advancetnent of all social, 
educational and moral interests. His knowledge of law, his ability in 
argument and his masterful treatment of the intricate problems of juris- 
prudence have resulted in gaining him a creditable standing among his 
professional brothers. 



C^AMUEL G. CECIL, one of the prominent builders and contractors of 
*^ — ' lola, and a citizen whose interest in the public affairs of his citj' are 
positive and constant, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 12, 1853. 
His father. B. Cecil, was a teacher and was engaged in educational work 
in Belmont County many years and was, himself, born there in 1824, dying 
in 1854. He was descended from French parents, his father having emi- 
grated to the United States from the Kingdom of France at an early period. 
Our subject's paternal grandfather was a farmer and is buried in the county 
of Belmont where he .seems to have settled. 

B. Cecil married May Jordan, a daughter of Abel Jordan, a Quaker, 
whose abiding place was once Mayfield, Pennsylvania, and whose calling 
was that of a cabinet maker. Mrs. Cecil died in 1881 leaving two children: 
John E. Cecil, who died in 1880, leaving one child at Berea. Ohio, and 
Samuel G. Cecil, our subject. 

S. G. Cecil spent his youth on a farm till his sixteenth year. At that 
age he undertook the task of learning the carpenter trade, around Urichs- 
ville, Ohio, and finishing or completing it, in Cleveland, Ohio. He re- 
mained with his native State till 1884 when he came west and located in 
Larned, Kansas. In that western town he took up contracting prominent- 
ly and remained in that section until 1897 when he became a resident of 
lola. In his last location he has been as prominently identified with the 



26o IIISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

building interests as any of his cumpetitors, as many of the buildings he 
constructed will serve to show what class of work, in a measure, he has 
been identified with. 

Mr. Cecil married first in Urichsville, Ohio, in 1878, Anna Harris, 
who died in 1890. Her children are; Harry H. and Ralph E. Mr. Cecil 
was again married in 1S95, to Sarah E. Tabor. 

The Cecils are Republicans, early and late, and our subject has evinced 
an active interest in local public matters wherever he has resided. In 
Lamed he was the city's public servant for a time and soon after locating 
in lola he was called to the city council. While he is a gentleman with 
positive convictions he is not an extremist to such an extent as to prejudice 
and bias his usefulness as a public officer. During his membership of the 
council while the "gas question" was uppermost his position was rather 
that of a mediator atid pacificator, or harmonizer, ol the two strongly an- 
tagonistic factions. In iSgg he was elected a member of the board of edu- 
cation for the first ward of his city. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. 



WILLIAM J. IHRIG, one of the best known masons and plasterers 
of Allen County, and a citizen who has spent more than a gener- 
ation as a resident of the county, came here in March 1879, from 
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He is a native son of the Keystone State, 
having been born in Philadelphia, Pa. .January 21, 1842. His father, Adam 
Ihrig, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1811 and, about 185,^, 
came to America with his family and located in the city of Philadelphia. 
He was known among the early hotel keepers of Strasburg, Alleghany 
City, and in the counties of the Oil Region and his last years were passed 
in Cleveland, Ohio. He married Margaret Ihrig and died in 1894, his 
wife dying at Cleveland in 1872. Their children are: William J., the first 
to grow up; Catherine, wife of John Meyer, died in Cleveland in 1898: and 
Adam Ihrig, of the city of Cleveland. 

W. J. Ihrig 's boyhood was passed in the manufacturing districts of 
Pennsvlvania, in the counties of Schuylkill, Alleghany and Lancaster. 
He was schooled in both English and German and remained under the 
parental roof till his enlistment in the army. September 12, i86i, he 
became a member of Company C, 79th Pennsylvania \'olunteers. Col 
Hambright's regiment. He belonged to the Army of the Cumberland and 
began his active service at Louisville, Kentucky. The 14th corps, to 
which he belonged, was in the battles of Perry ville, Nashville, Murfrees- 
t)oro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and in the Atlanta campaign. In 
this campaign our subject was wounded at the battle of Kennesaw Moun- 
tain, and taken prisoner. He was confined in Andersonville nearly four 
months, was transferred to Florence, vSouth Carolina, where on the eve of 
an exchange of prisoners, with two others he made his escape. They fell 
into a squad on detail for wood and when outside broke the guard line and 
fled. They were piloted througli the strange country by negroes anc 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 26I 

reached tlie Ihiiuu lines some six weeks after their escape. A pass was 
issued to Mr. Ihrig to enter a parole camp at Alexandria, Virginia, where 
he found his regiment, and he returned home with it in June, 1865. From 
the battle of Murfieesboro Mr. Ihrig was on detail in the 4th Indiana 
Battery, serving a gun, till after the battle of Lookout Mountain. He then 
returned to his regiment. 

On coming out of his long army service Mr. Ihrig's first work was in 
the oil fields as a driller and he followed this work much of the time till he 
left the State. He conceived a desire to see the west and left Lancaster in 
1879 on a prospecting tour. He met with our townsman, Henry F. Travis, 
on the train and, upon their reaching Kansas City they decided to run 
down the Santa Fe Railway and see lola. Their coming settled the fate of 
both, for Ihrig bought the Perkins place (the Goodner property) and 
Travis located in Elm township and both brought theii families out the 
next year. 

Mr. Ihrig learned the masons and plasterers trade in Lancaster, Penn- 
sylvania, and he has practically folio A'ed nothing else in Kansas. He has 
worked on nearly every good brick or stone building in lola and his pros- 
perity has enabled him to build a house for himself every year for the past 
ten. With the end of 1899 he sought retirement and is in ample financial 
freedom to remain so. 

July 26, 1865, Mr. Ihrig was married in Lancaster, Pa., to Mrs. Annie 
Gminder, a daughter of Archibald Warren, one of Lancaster's merchants. 
One of his sons, William Warren, served in the regular army and was 
stationed in some of the western posts. He went to South America when 
his enlistment expired. A daughter, Lizzie, married Peter Frank and re- 
sides in Saginaw, Michigan. George Pinkerton. of Lancaster, Pennsyl- 
vania, married Amanda Warren and Susie Warren married James Buchan- 
an, of Philadelphia. The youngest, James Warren, is still in Lancaster. 
Mrs. Ihrig has a son, Harry Gminder, by her first marriage. The Ihrig 
children are two sons, Albert W., who married Maggie Duncan and has 
six children: Annie, Bertha, Lillian, Lloyd, Eugene and Charlie. Arthur 
Eugene Ihrig was born in Ma}', 1871, and is W. J.'s younger son. He was 
married to Nellie Bean in lola and has no children. 

Harry Gminder married Emma Riggs and resides in Concordia, Kan- 
sas. Their three children are: Anna, Lillian and Edna. 

As a citizen W. J. Ihrig is one of our most pronounced and positive 
in his views. There are no more staunch Republicans than he and his in- 
terest in and connection with McCook Post, G. A. R., is especially strong 
and permanent. He is a member of many of our mutual insurance orders 
and is, on the whole a social and agreeable gentleman. 



A NDREW D. INMAN, of Osage township, Allen county, has passed 
-^^^ twenty years within the boundaries of the count}'. He came to it in 

April 1 88 1 and settled upon one of the old pioneer farms of eastern Allen 



262 HISTORY OK ALLKN AND 

cmiiity. It is the southwest t|uaner of section iS, township 24, range 20, 
and there Mr. Innian has maintained a continuous and honorable resi- 
dence. Mr. Inman came to Kansas from Benton county, Indiana, but he 
was born and reared in Blackford county, that state. Hi> birth occurred 
January 12, 1849, and his training and education were entirely rural. He 
is a son of Samuel Inman, who was reared in Ohio, but whose active life 
was spent largely in Blackford county, Indiana. He was married to a lady 
of Scotch descent, Abigail Dickson. A streak or strain of Irish also 
coursed through her veins for her ancestors were from the north of Ireland. 
Samuel Inman was married in Ohio and died in December 1876 at the age 
of seventy-.seven years. His wife died in 1856. Their children were: 
John, who died in Blackford county, Indiana and left a family; Elizabeth, 
wife of Solomon Geyer, of Piqua, Kansas; Mary, wife of John Waters, of 
Moran, Kansas; ICli, of Blackford county, Indiana; Sarah, deceased, was 
married to Jacob Clapper and left a family in Indiana: Isaac, of Lawrence- 
burg, Tennessee; Jane, deceased, wife of Daniel Daily, and Andrew D., our 
subject. 

Andrew D. Inman acquired the necessary elements of an luiglish edu- 
cation and became responsible for his proper conduct and personal main- 
tenance in his sixteenth year. For some eighteen years he was a laborer, 
by the month or day, and on December 23, 1880, he was married at Mound 
City, Kansas. In September, 1871, he left Indiana and spent the years 
intervening, till 1880, in Allen and Linn counties, Kansas. Upon pur- 
chasing, or arranging the terms for his farm, he found it necessary to mort- 
gage it in order to provide himself with the implements and other adjuncts 
nece.ssary to cultivate it. His twenty years of residence upon, and cultiva- 
tion of, an Osage township farm have been both pleasant and profitable to 
him. His ide?, that everything was wrought by industry and nothing 
without it, was the proper one and he and his loyal wife have witnessed 
their labors bear substantial fruit. 

Mr. Inman married Miss May Dow, a daughter of Isaac Dow, who was 
born in New York state in 1832. The latter was from Vermont parents, a 
thrifty and industrious people. Mr. Dow was a mechanic, came to Kansas 
in 1866 and settled in Linn county. He married Phebe Daggett, a 
daughter of Harvey Daggett, of Massachusetts. Mr. Dow belonged to 
Company IJ, Fourth low^a Cavalry during the Rebellion and served three 
years in the western department. He received a sun stroke on the battle 
field, was discharged on account of it and it finally caused his death, 
April 1899. 

The Dow children are: Mary A., wife of our subject, born November 
5, 1S60; Frances, wife of A. B. Houser, of LaHarpe, Kansas; Loren Dow, 
of LaHarpe, and Miss Bulah, with her widowed mothei at LaHarpe, 
Kansas. 

The politics of the Inmans, early, was Democratic, that of the Dows 
Republican. Andrew Inman voted with the Democrats till 1884, since then 
he has been a Republican. 

Our subject's only child, Charles, was born January 29, 1885. 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 263 

""pHOMAS B. SHANNOX.— One of the enterprising merchants of Ida, 
J- successful!}' conducting an extensive hardware establishment is T. B. 
Shannon, who since 1897 has been a well known factor in commercial 
circles in this city. He was born in Attica, Indiana, Januars' 28, 187 1, 
and is a son of G. \V. Shannon, whose birth occurred in Virginia, May 31, 
183,5. The grandfather. Thomas Shannon, was also a native of the Old 
Dominion, born at Sharon Springs, Bland county, March 20, 1817, and in 
that state the father of our subject resided until 1S55. making his home 
upon a farm. He then removed to Fountain county, Indiana, \vhere he 
again followed farming until the spring of 187 i, when he came to Kansas, 
settling in Woodson county, on the present townsite of Vernon. In 1873 
he removed to Neosho Falls, where he learned the tinner's trade under the 
direction of ex-Governor Finne}-. In 1880 he engaged in the hardware 
business in Toronto, Kansas, where he remained ten years, and in the fall 
of 1S90 he became a resident of Anacortes, ^^'ashington, where he is now 
successfully conducting a hardware establishment. He was married in 
Wythe county, Virginia, to Miss Callie Brown, who was born in Wythe 
county, Virginia, October 7, 1831, a daughter of Josiah Biown, also a 
native of Virginia. She died in Neosho Falls, Kansas, August 26, 1874, 
leaving two children, namely: T. B., of this review, and G. D., who is 
connected in business with his father in Anacortes, Washington. 

The subject of this sketcli is indebted to the public school system for 
his educational privileges, and in his youth he became familiar with the 
hardware trade in his father's store. At the age of nineteen he entered 
upon an independent business career in Blaine, Washington, as a dealer in 
hardware, since which time he has been connected with that line of com- 
merce. In the .'spring of 1897 he disposed of his store in Blaine and came 
to lola, where he entered into partnership with Frank M. Horville under 
the firm name of Shannon & Horville. This connection was maintained 
until September 1898, when Mr. Shannon purchased his partner's interest 
and has since carried on business alone. During the summer of 1900 he 
remodeled and added to his store building and now occupies both floors 
and an eighty foot basement with his large stock of shelf and heavy hard- 
ware. He carries everything found in a first-class establishment of the 
kind, and in the rear of the store he has a tin and plumbing shop, doing 
all kinds of work in those trades. He deals in buggies, wagons and farm- 
ing implements in addition to hardware, stoves and ranges, tinware, paints 
and oils, guns and cutlery, and his patronage is constantly increasing. 

On the 30th of November, 1892, Mr. Shannon married Mi-^s Lulu 
Brewer, of Greenwood county, Kansas. She was born in Colorado, Janu- 
ary 8, 1873, a daughter of E. J. Brewer, a native of Massachusetts. Their 
only child died October 25, 1894, and the mother passed away on the 12th 
of December, following. On the ist of February, 1899, Mr. Shannon was 
again married, his second union being with Miss Agnes Mitchell, who was 
bom in Franklin county, Kansas, Februar}' 12, 1872, and is a daughter of 
David H. Mitchell, a native of Missouri. Their home is now blessed w-ith 



264 HISTORY OK ALLEN AND 

ihe presence of a little daughter, Winifred, born July ."^i, u)oo. Mr. 
•Shannon is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the B. P. 
O. Elks, and he and his wife are well known and highly respected resi- 
ilents of Ida, the hospitality of many of its best homes being freely ex- 
tended to them. 



T AMKS W. DRAKE. — Among the substantial farmers of tola townshij) 
^ is James W. Drake, who was born near Louisville, Kentucky, January 
26, 1831. His father, James Drake, was born in that state in 1781, while 
the red men still roamed the forest. In the early days he was more than 
once called to leave his work on the farm to defend himself or his friends 
against the attacks of these wild neighbors. He related many stories of 
engagements with the Indians, of the captures they made and of the res- 
cues performed within the limits of the "dark and bloody ground." In 
I S32 he removed to southern Indiana, locating on Whitewater river, not 
far from Cincinnati, where he resided until 1834, when he removed to 
Kosciusko county, Indiana, still following his occupation of farming. 
There he died in 1845. He served his country as a volunteer soldier in 
the war of 18 12. While in Kentucky he married Elizabeth Dickerson, 
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1787 and died in Indiana in 1842. Her 
father was John Dickerson, a native of Scotland who emigrated to the new 
world in the latter part of the eighteenth century. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Drake were born twelve children, eight of whom reached maturity, while 
three survive. Those who attained adult age were William, now deceased, 
whose family lives in Linn county, Kansas; Martha, deceased, wife of 
Isaac Masters, of Kosciusko, Indiana: Kelley, who died near Cedar Kapids, 
Iowa; Nathan, who died in Kosciusko, Indiana; Mrs. Jane Carter; Ira, 
who resides in Kosciusko, Indiana; James W., of lola, Kansas; and 
Homer, who resides in Champaign cnunnty, Illinois. 

Mr. Drake, of this review, accompanied his parents to Indiana, and 
remained with them until they died. In 1S54 he went to Illinois, but re- 
turned to the Hoosier state, and in 1S56 removed to Iowa where he resided 
two years. The year 185S witnessed his arrival in Allen county, and he 
secured a claim in lola township, upon which he has since lived. He has 
toUowed farming throughout his entire life, and is now numbered among 
Allen county's best known and prosperous pioneer agriculturists. At the 
time of the Civil war he put aside personal considerations, enlisting as a 
private of Company E, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, under command of Captain 
Henry Fletcher and Colonel Lynde. He participated in the battles of 
Prairie Grove, Johnstown, Stone Lane and Westport, besides numerous 
smaller engagements, and was honorably discharged in November, 1865, at 
Duvall's Bluff, having sjerved for three years and three months. 

When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Drake gladly 
returned to his family. He had been married in i86i to Miss Mary A. 



WOODSON COUXTIKS, KANSAS. 265 

McKenzie, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Joseph 
McKenzie, of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have become the parents 
of seven children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Frank Bliss; Minerva, wife 
of Nicholas Burton: Viola, wife of John Harris: Dora, wife of George 
Strawderman; Nora, wife of Fred Baker; Cora, who resides with her 
parents, and Frank, at home. 

Since 1866 Mr. Drake has been a member of the Masonic fralernit\-, 
and in his life exemplifies its principles of mutual helpfulness and kind- 
ness. He supported the Republican party until 1867, since which time he 
has been an advocate of the Democracy. His attention has been closely 
given to its interests, though he has never sought public office, but he is as 
true to his duties of citizenship today as when he followed the stars and 
stripes on southern battle fields. 



/'"^ONRAD HEIM has spent his entire life hi the Mi.ssissippi valley, and 
^-^ the true western spirit of progress and enterprise has colored his 
career. He was born in Quincv, Illinois, on the first of August, 1850, and 
is a son of Adam and Barbara (Stumpf) Heim, natives of Baden Baden, 
Germany. The father was a brewer by trade, and after emigrating to 
America in 1836 he carried on that basine^s in Quincy. Illinois, where he 
died in 1872, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife survived him for 
some time and died in Quincy in 1893, at the ripe old age of eighty-three 
years. They were the parents of four children, the subject of this review 
being the eldest. The others are Anton, a resident of Quincy, Cararma, 
who is married and lives in Southern California, and Anna, who makes her 
home in Portsmith, Ohio. 

During his boyhood Conrad Heim learned the butcher's trade and 
after reaching adult age he went to the west where he was employed for a 
time. Subsequently, however, he returned to Quincy and there was united 
in marriage to Miss Anna Enghouser. Four children were born unto 
them, of whom three are living, namely: Mrs. Anna Nelson, a resident of 
Parsons, Kansas: Maggie, wife of William Hess, a druggist of Humboldt, 
and Mrs. Emma Kelley, of Humboldt. 

After our subject's arrival in the Sunflower State he purchased a farm 
in Salem township and there resided for several years, devoting his atten- 
tion to the cultivation ol the fields and to the raising of stock. He then 
came to Humboldt, where he embarked in the butchering business and also 
began buying and shipping horses and cattle. He feeds considerable stock 
during the winter and his business efforts have been attended with a verj' 
gratifying degree of success, for when he came to the county he had no 
capital and now he is in possession of a profitable business, which annually 
increases his bank account. He today owns a good farm and some business 
property, togetlier with three residences in Humboldt and three in Chaiiute. 
His identification with the Democracv dates from the attainment of his 



266 HISTORY OF AI.I.EN AND 

111 ijority, while of two civic orders he is a representative, being connected 
with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Asso- 
ciation. He has a wide acquaintance in Humboldt, where he is held in 
uniform regard as a reliable busines-; man and public-spirited citizen. 



FR.\NKI-IX RICHARDS, M. D.— .\lthough one of the youngest mem- 
bers of the medical fraternity of Kansas, Ur. Richards' years seem 
no bar to his success, and in LnHarpe, where he is located, lie has gained 
a liberal patronage that indicates coufideuci reposed by the public in his 
>kill and ability. 

The Doctor is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Canton, on 
the 17th of March, 1874. He belongs to one of the old families of that 
place, his ancestors for several generations having resided in that city. His 
father removed to Nebraska in 1S87, and engaged in the drug business with 
his eldest son in Shadron, where he is still located. He was a man o f 
practical common sense and sound judgment who believed in preparing 
his children for the responsible duties of life and thus Dr. Richards was 
trained to habits of industry in his youth. He completed his literary edu- 
cation in the high school of Milford, Nebraska, after which he began the 
study of medicine with the intention of making its practice his life work. 
Tliis resolution probably had its beginning with him when he was very 
young. W'iien a little lad of four 3'ears he was crippled through an acci- 
dent and the old family physician who attended him told him that he must 
become a doctor. Franklin never forgot the advice of this worthy man 
and after completing the high .school course he began the study of medi- 
cine in the fall of 1893 as a student in the Eclectic Medical College of 
Lincoln, where he remained for two years. Subsequently he entered the 
Williams .Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, but was graduated in 
Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1S97. He is now a member of the State Eclectic 
SocietN of Nebraska. 

After his graduation Dr. Richards located in Ceuterville, Linn County, 
Kansas, remaining two years, when he removed to LaHarj)e, Allen County, 
in 1899. He has since gained a large and lucrative patronage and the 
profession and the public acknowledge his worthiness. He is a close and 
discriminating student and by perusal of medical journals he keeps in touch 
with the progress that is being continually made in the medical fraternity. 
On the 23rd of December, 1893111 Lincoln, Nebraska, Dr. Ricliards 
was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bowman, of Magnolia, Ohio. She 
is a daughter of L. D. Bowman, a leading stockholder in the Magnolia Oil 
& Gas Company, which controls one of the principal industries of that sec- 
tion of the country. Another member of the Bowman family is a promi- 
nent attorney of Canton, Ohio, and is now mayor of that city. Dr. Rich- 
ards and his family have always been staunch Republicans, unswerving in 
their advocacy of the partj-. They have always been earnest adherents of 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 267 

Christian principles and belong to that class of representative Ani;ricins 
who labor for the advancement of County, State and Nation along the lines 
of o-reatest y:ood. 



TB. HARRISS, who is numbered among the veterans oi the Civil 
• war, and is now one of the esteemed residents of Allen County, was 
born oa the 1 2th of October, 1826, near Nashville, in Holmes County, 
Ohio. He is a son of Jonathan Harriss, who was born in Brooks County, 
Virginia, in 1801. His great grandfather, John Harriss Sr. , was of Eng- 
lish birth, and came to America duiing the war of the Revolution. He 
then joined the American army and valiantly aided in the struggle for inde- 
pendence. His wife was a native of Scotland. Their son, John Harriss 
Jr., was born in Maryland, and became a farmer by occupation. He aided 
his country in the war of 1812, mainly acting as scout and guide. He, too, 
married a Scotch lady, who became a resident of Maryland during her 
girlhood. Tiiey removed to BroDks County, Virginia, where the father of 
our subject was born, "spending his boyhood days on a farm in the Old 
Dominion. The latter acquired an education such as the common schools 
of that di)- aff_5rd;i and at an early period in the development of Ohio re- 
moved thereto where he worked at the carpenter's and shoemaker's trades 
for about thirty years. In early life he voted with the Whig party, but 
joined the Republican party upon its organization He married Sarah 
Bii den, who was born in Rhode Island, in 1805, a daughter of Thomas 
Birden, who was also a native of Rhode Island aud was a sea captain. 
Jonathan Harriss pa.ssed away at his home in Ohio in 1877. In his family 
were the following named: T. B., of this review: Bradford and John W. , 
who died during the Civil war; Allen, of Mansfield, Ohio; Henry, who is 
living in Nashville, Ohio; Mrs. L,uc3' A. Gill, who died leaving a family 
in Nashville, Ohio, (one of her sons being a banker in Millersburg, that 
.State); and Mrs. Abby Remington, of Nashville, Ohio. 

On a farm in Holmes County, Ohio, T. B. Harriss spent his boyhood 
and youth and conned his lessons in an old log school house, where the 
curriculum was limited aud the method of instruction was of primitive char- 
acter. He entered upon his business career at the age of twenty-two upon 
a farm in his native county, and later he engaged in business ao a railroad 
contractor. Next he purchased a sawmill, which he operated for five 
years, after which he sold that property and engaged in the stock business 
until after the inauguration of the Civil war. 

When the country was calling for the support of her lo3-al citizens to 
aid in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty- 
third Ohio Infantry, and with that command served during the years 186 1-2. 
In the latter year he was wounded, and in consequence was discharged, 
but after his recovery, in the fall of 1863, he re-enlisted, joining the boys 
in blue of Company G, of the One Hundred Second Ohio Infantry , with 



26S HISTOKV UK ALLKN AND 

which he was connected until ifter the stars and stripes were planted in the 
capital of the Confederacy. His regiment took part in the engagement at 
Murfreesboro and was afterwards stationed at Xashville, Tennessee. 
He received an honorable discharge in Louisville, Kentucky, in November, 
1865. 

On the first of February, 1S49 Mr. Harriss had been unittd in marriage 
to Sabrina Gray, who was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, August S, 
1824, and is a sister of Hiram P. Gray, of lola, Kansas. Her people were 
natives of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Harriss have been born ten chil- 
dren, but only three are now livin:(: Jonathan E.. an engineer on the Santa 
Fe railroad, now residing in Winfield, Kansas: Mrs. Laura Kirkland, of 
Wichita, Kansas, and Mrs. Lovie E. Hill, who is living in lola. 

Mr. Harri.ss ca.st his first presidential vote for William Henry Har- 
rison, and was a supporter of the Whig party until he joined the ranks of 
the Republican party, of which he has since been an earnest advocate. 
Since 1S57 he has been a member of the .Masonic fraternity and in his life 
lias exemplified its beneficent principles. He has passed the seventy- 
fourth milestone on life's journey, but still maintains an active interest in 
affairs of general importance, and is a valued citizen of Allen County. 



JOHN M. BROWN. — The prairies of Kansas are dotted here and there 
with pioneers who have passed through the discouragements and ad- 
versities incident to life on the frontier and a few of this class, the more 
resolute and industrious, have exemplified the adage, "time is money," in 
making the years roll up each a new and larger balance on the credit side 
of the ledger. One of the early settlers on the prairies of eastern Allen 
county whose circumstances place him with the exceptional but thrifty 
class above referred to is John M. Brown. The pioneer days of eastern 
Allen were about ten years later than those days along the Neosho, and 
while the settlements along the river were thickening up the expanse to 
the east of it was still barren and unbroken with the cabins of home-seekers. 
Mr. Brown's first trip to the county was made in 1871 when he came to 
learn whether he could eke out an existence upon a tract of land he had 
bought here in 1864, "sight unseen." He decided that he could make the 
land provide a living for one and in 1872 he brought his effects out from 
the east, permanently to remain. He turned the sod with his oxen and 
got things to appearing, to him, somewhat homelike so that in twelve 
months he felt warranted in having his family venture out. His land was 
one of the prime quarters of the section. It is situated in the "Golden 
Valley" belt of Allen county and now approaches, in fertility and improve 
ment, a well-conducted Illinois or Indiana farm. The proceeds of his 
early years' efforts Mr. Brown turned into land and his farm compri.ses five 
hundred and twenty acres of this rich and productive region. His first 



WOODSOX COrXTIES, KANSAS. 269 

abiding place was a shant}' 13x15 feet and in this he resided troin 1873 till 
,[882 wlien he built extensively and permanently. 

Mr Brown was born in Reaver county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1S43. 
His father was Alexander Brown, a farmer, who died at the home of our 
subject in June 1900. The latter was born in County Derry, Ireland, town 
of Kihvray, in 1819. He emigrated to the United States in 1827, with his 
father, William Brown, and settled in Pennsylvania. In 1852 Alexander 
Brown went to Grundy county, Illinois, and there his father died. 

Alexander Brown married Sophronia Murphy who was born in Beaver 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1819 and died in Allen countj-. Kansas, in 1897. 
Their children were: John M.; William, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Charles, 
of Polk coitnty, Nebraska; James and Daniel, of Portland, Oregon; Her- 
bert, who died in Texas in July 1S99. 

John M. Brown was married in W^oodford county, Illinois. He mar- 
ried Amy A. Phillips, a daughter ot James Phillips, who went into Illinois 
from Tennessee. The Phillips children were; William F. ; Margaret, de- 
ceased, who married James Brown; Paulina, decea.sed, married Mr. Dan- 
iels, of Neodesha, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of John Grim, of Ford county, 
Illinois; Almyra, wife of Mr. Snyder, of Pasadena. California; Manala, who 
married A. C. Brown, of Champaign county, Illinois; Eli Phillips, who 
died in McLean county, Illinois, in 1900; Mrs. E. Brown, of Pasadena, 
California, and Albert Phillips, of the same point. 

The heirs of John M. Brown and wife are: Edgar A. Brown, with the 
Swift Packing Company, Kansas City, Missouri, who is married to Alice 
Woodward; Hannah; J. Oscar; Albert, and Herbert Brown. Four of the 
children are common school graduates and, in addition, Albert and Oscar 
are graduates of the Moran High School. These young men are especially 
gifted with bright and active intellects and. with their industrious habits 
and energetic composition, are admirably equipped for a successful and 
useful career. 

The Republican proclivities of John M. Brown are well known. He 
has taken some active interest in Elm township politics for many years and 
has served as its Treasurer. His educational equipment is not of the 
highest order but it is ample for the efficient conduct of all business per- 
taining to his community or his farm. He enjoj's the unalloyed confidence 
of those of his acquaintanceship and permits no man to outdo him in matters 
pertaining to the moral or educational wellbeing of his county. 



T TOWARD B. ADAMS, of Ida, whose business interests are at Moran, 
■*- -*- Kansas, and who has spent nearly thirty years in Allen countj-, was 
born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, Januarj* 12, 1845. He is a son of Charles 
K. Adams, M. D., who was a native of Keene, New Hampshire, born 
18 1 2, and died in Maries county, Missouri, in 1870. He received his pro- 
fessional training in Xew York state and went from school to Ohio and 



270 IIISTOKV OK AI.I.KN AND 

hej^an practice. In 1S47 he went to Green cdiinty, Wisconsin, and after 
some years spent there, went to Stephenson county, Illinois, and from 
there to Missouri where he died. He was a strong sympathiser with pub- 
lic education, took an active interest in politics, as a Republican, and be- 
lieved firmly in the efficacy of the church. He died a Methoilist. He 
marrie i Jerusha B. vSwain, a daughter of William Barrett .Swain and grand- 
d.iughter of Joseph Swain whose ancestors were among the passengers 
abi)ard the "Mayflower." John Tilley and wife and Elizabeth, daughter 
of John Howland, came to America in that historic little craft. The 
mother of Joseph Swain was a Chipman, a daughter of John Chipnian and 
Hope, a daughter of John Howland. John Howland married Ivlizabeth 
Howland. 

The mother of our subject was born in Athens, Pennsylvania, April S, 
1S20. She died in Dane county, Wisconsin. She was the mother of: 
Charles E. Adams, who died in 1.S61, leaving a family; Ellen L., wife of 
William B. Payne, of Jefferson City, Mi.ssonri: Olive J., widow of Ellijah 
L. We.ston. of Shenandoah, Iowa, and Howard B. Adams. 

Green county, Wisconsin, was the scene of our subject's boyhood. He 
attended the city schools till eighteen years of age when he entered the 
Federal army, enlisting in Company B, Eighth United States Infantry. 
He was mustered in on Governor's Island, New York, and joined his regi- 
ment just after tiie battle of Antietam. His regiment remained a part of 
the Arm\- of the Puiomac and he participated in the great battles of Gettys- 
burg, Chancellorsvillc, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, and 
Spottsylvania Court House. The last year of his service he w is on detail 
and was discharged in Baltimore in June 1865. 

Upon his return to Illinois, where his people had removed, Mr. Adams 
engaged in teaching school in the country and made it a part of his busi- 
ness for a time. He came to Allen county in 1S72 and located upon a farm 
east of Humboldt and here engaged in farming as well as teaching. In 
i,S8o he went to the Paola Normal College, an efficient educational insti- 
tution and teachers' training school under the leadership of Profes.sor 
Whirrell, to better prepare himself for the work of higher education and, in 
18S3, he received a certificate of graduation. He taught in Geneva and 
com])leted his educational work with four years of service as principal of 
the -Sloran schools. 

Mr. .^ilams turned his attention to merchandising in 18S8, succeeding 
W. J. Steele in the hardware busine.ss in Moran, with Charles Mendell as 
partner. Disposing of this business he established himself in the lumber 
business and the firm of Adams & Merrill is one of the prominent and pop- 
ular ones of the city. Mr. Adams has served Moran as Mayor, on its 
Council, as City Treasurer and on her Board of Ivducation. 

Mr. Adams was first married in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1867 to 
Ruth A. Harris. The Harris's were from near Lake Champlain, New 
York, and Ruth was born in 1840. She died in 1892. She was educated 
ill Plattsburj:, New York, taught in Stephenson county, Illinois, and many 
vears in Allen county. Kansas. Her surviving child is George I. Adams, 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 271 

who was horn in their Illinois home Auj^ust 17, 1870. After leavinjf the 
connnon schools George spent four years in the Kansas State Normal and 
after his graduation there he took the Bachelor's degree in the State Uni- 
versity and later the Master's degree, in the same institution. He entered, ■ 
next, Princeton College took the degree of Master ol Science. During his 
career as a student he did some teaching, at lunporia and in normal insti- 
tutes in Kansas. Leaving Princeton Mr. Adams spent a year in Germany, 
at Munich, taking lectures and perfecting the German language. Soon 
after liis return to the United States he was appointed to a position upon 
the geological survey of Kansas. He spent two years at tliis and the fol- 
lowing two years as assistant geologist upon the United States Geological 
survey. In May 1900 he successfully ])assed the examination for jierma- 
nent appointment with the United States Geological .Survey and is stationed 
at Washington, D. C. 

H. B. Adams' .second marriage was to EmmalC. a daughter of James R. 
McNaught, of Allen county. Mr. McNaught was born in Morgan county, 
Indiana, in 1828 and came to Kansas in 1870. He married Rebecca Adams 
and Emma E. is their fourth child. Mr. McXaught died in March 1900. 
Mr. and Mrs. Adams' children are: Charles H., born in 1894: Scott Mc- 
Kinley, born in 1895; Grace E., born in 1897, and Ruth Eddy, born in 
1900. Mr. Adams erected, in 1900, one of the handsome cottages of lola, 
located upon the north eminence overlooking the city and here he is resting 
from an active and well-spent life. 



r^ EORGE FREEMAN— Among the young educators of Allen Connt\ 
^-^ who have endeared themselves to the school patrons and who have 
established a reputation for efficiency and honesty of purpose is the subject 
of this personal reference, George Freeman, principal of the first ward 
school in lola. Mr. Freeman is distinctlj' of Allen County. His biith oc- 
curred here, he was educated here and his entrance upon the serious phase 
of life has occurred here. He was born in Salem township April 8, 1875, 
and his first years of school age were passed in the country. At the age of 
twelve years his parents moved into lola and aluKJst since that date 
George Freeman has been more or less known to the citizens of this town. 
Charles Freeman, our subject's father, came to Kansas in 1K68, from 
New London, Canada 'West. He was a carpenter by trade but he deter- 
mined to secure a free home upon the plains of .\llen County and he home- 
steaded a quarter section in Salem township. He laid aside his trade, as a 
busine.ss, and devoted himself to improving his claim and bringing it grad- 
ually int(j the appearance of a farm. He remained with it till 1887, when 
he came to lola. Mr. P'reeman is a son of George Freeman, who with his 
wife, Siirah, nee Faulkenburg, emigrated to the new world and located in 
Canada West. They died there in 1884 leaving their son, Charles, as their 
sole American heir. He was reared by Mr. McKenzie. He had learned 



272 HISTOKV OK Al.I.KN' AVTi 

his tiMck' by the time lie reaclieil his majority and. duriiii; tile war lu- went 
into the Pennsylvania oil fields and became a small operator, with some pros- 
pect of success, but unexpected reverses overto(jk him and left liini financially 
exhausted. He was married in Logan township, -Allen County, in 1S67 to 
Xaiicy E. a daughter (jf William Hartley. Their children are: Minnie. 
Arthur W., M. Louise, George, Fred F.. Samuel S. and Josie. 

George Freeman entered the 7th grade of the lola schools, and finished 
the high scliool course in 1893. He taught his first school in his old 
.Salem district and, with the exception of the year i<S96 7 spent in Baker 
I'niversity, he has made teaching his exclusive business. He entered the 
lola schools in 1899 as principal of the ^^st ward building where he has 
finished his second year. 

Mr. Freeman was married in lola in .August, 1900, to Zella, a daugh- 
ter of Marshal M. Hart. He is one of the leading members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church in which he has taken an active part for many yeais. 



ripR.XXK XIGH — For almost a third of a century J. I'rank Xigh has 
-'- resided in Allen County, and is today classed among the wide-awake 
and progressive farmers and stock raisers of lola township. He was born 
in Covvden, Shelby County, Illinois, October 14, 1859. His father, Lsaac 
Xigh, was born in Garfield County, Ohio, December 2. 1S29, and his 
grandfather was a native of the State of Maryland, born in 1S03. In 184(1 
the last named enlisted in Ohio for service in the Mexican war and his 
regiment was assigned to General Scott's army. He participated in the 
c.impaigns of that victorious army from Vera Cruz to the City of Me.xico, 
where he was stricken with typhus fever, died and was buried. In civil 
life he was a frontier farmer and died leaving a family of four chiKlren. 
His wife's maiden name was Mary Beachtel, born in the State of Peuusyl- 
vaiiia in rSii. She died in Shelby County. Illinois, in 189S. 

Isaac Nigh was the first child of liis parents and his boyhood and 
early youth were passed in Franklin, County. Ohio. At the age of seven- 
teen years he joined the same regiment with his father for service in the 
Mexican war and followed the army of General Scott to the City of Mexico. 
He, too, took down with the dread disease, t>phus, and was sick near unto 
death. I'pon recovery, and being discharged from the army, he went back 
to his native county and passed a year upon the farm. The next year he 
spent in New York City and, upon his return west, he took up his resi- 
dence in Shelby County, Illinois. He engaged in farming there and con- 
tinued it until the war of the Rebellion called him to arms. He enlisted 
in the 115th Illinois Infantry, Colonel Moore, and served three years. 
F-foni the year of his muster out of the .service till 1869 he passed in Illinois 
on a farm. The latter month and vear he journeyed to Kansas and settled 
in Cottage Grove township, .\llen County. He secured a homestead four 
:md a half miles "south of Ilumtioldt which he iinjiroved and ni)on which he 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 273 

made his home many years. The first year Isaac Nigh spent in Kansas 
he was engaged much of the time in freighting goods from the nearest rail- 
road points along the Kaw River, Lawrence and Kansas City, Missouri, to 
Humboldt. In this way he was able to the better provide for his family 
while the initial steps toward farm-improvement and farm-cultivation were 
being taken. 

I^aac Nigh was married in 1853 to Ann Phillips. Mrs. Nigh was 
born January 6, 1S35, in Shelby County, Illinois. She was a daughter of 
Bryant Phillips and is the mother of two sons and a daughter: Sam- 
uel C. Nigh, who died at Chanute, Kansas, in 1894; i^Iary J,, wife of E. A. 
Gleason, of Humboldt, and J. Frank Ni^h, our subject. 

At ten years of age Frank Nigh came into Allen County. He began 
contributing toward his own support upon entering his 'teens and learned 
the lessons of independence and self-confidence long before he saw his 
twenty-first birthday. He was schooled passabl}' well in the district schools 
and this, strengthened by the efficient school of experience, has equipped 
him for a successful career in life. To enter the railroad service was among 
the first acts of our subject upon reaching man's estate. He learned 
telegraphy with the L. L,. and G. Railway people and was in their employ 
at stations along their line till 1886. Leaving the road he located 
upon a tarm along the Neosho River and has ever since dubbed himself 
a farmer. 

In November 1889 Mr. Nigh was elected Register of Deeds of Allen 
County and was again elected in 1891, each time b> a majority largely in 
excess of the regular Republican ticket. He performed his official duties 
with fidelity and efficiency and was regarded as one of our reliable and 
honorable public servants. 

November 16, 18S4, Mr. Nigh was married to Miss Lou Hubbard, a 
daughter of the late pioneer, Samuel F. and Parmelia Hubbard. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hubbard were from North Carolina and came into Allen County in 
1S57. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nigh; Edna L., 
Claude H., Matilda M. and James P. 

Frank .\igh has acquitted himself well wherever he has been tried. 
He served his employers faithfully when in the railroad service; nothing 
was left undone bj- him as a public official, which jeopardized the public, 
or private welfare of his constituents; as a farmer he is broad-gauged and 
progressive, practicing industry and honesty before all men, and as a citi- 
zen he is unassailable and his character stands nnirapeached. Being a 
firm believer in the efficacy of Republican principles he is a loj'al and un- 
swerving supporter of the party of his choice. He is a Knight of Pythias, 
an Odd Fellow and a laborer in the cause of Father Upchurch. 



"CD OBERT NELSON.— One of the successful farmers and well known 
-*- *- citizens of Deer Creek township is Robert Nelson whose residence in 
.\llen county has spanned a period of almost a score of years. He located 



274 HISTOKY OF ALLKX ANIJ 

upon section i6, towiisliip 2-| , range 20. a raw ami unimproved piece of 
school land in 1882, and since that date he has devoted his time and 
energies, not only to the proper care and support of his family but to the 
developnicrnt and improvement of a farm and to the task of reaching a con- 
dition of financial independence, both warrantable and creditable. The 
place of his first settlement he made sale of as did he of the settlement 
made in section seventeen where he repeated, on a larger scale, his efforts 
upon the first farm. 

Mr. Nelson was born in Adams county, Illinois, September 18, 1846. 
His father, Zenas B. Nelson, was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1819 
and, in 1832, left th-'t state and became a citizen of Illinois. He accom- 
panied his father, James Nelson, whose origin, or birth, occurred in Vir- 
ginia. The latter died in Illinois in 1846 at the age of seventy years. His 
military experience was gained as a soldier in the war of 18:2 and, as a 
civilian, he was devoted to agriculture. He married Elizabeth Allen and 
was the father of fifteen children, fourteen of whom lived to grow up and 
marry. 

Zenas B. Nelson's militarj- service consi-ted of a connection with the 
Illinois militia when called out for the purpose of suppressing the disturb- 
ances with the Mormons at Nauvoo. He was married in 184310 Delilah 
Hopson, a daughter of Robert Hopson who was a Scotchman, kidnapped in 
boyhood by some sailors, while hauling logs in the wood near the seashore. 
While the ship of his master was in harbor at New Yoik he stole away and 
made his way to Ohio. He was married in that state to Narcissa Pierce, 
which union was productive of fourteen children. 

The children of Zenas and Deliah Nelson were: Alfred and Robert 
Nelson, of Allen county; Olive, wife of Martin Cray, of Woodward county, 
Oklahoma; Harriet, wife of Edward Wade, deceased, of Clark county, Mis- 
souri, Ann, who married Thomas Lowry, of Adams county, Illinois; Ida, 
wife ol Chauncey Owens, of the same county; Deliah, wife of Sanford 
Graham; Charles and Philip, all of Illinois. Philip Nelson is one of the 
leading architects of the state. He is widely known throughout the state 
and has done much work of a high character and received the plaudits and 
commendations of architects and builders alike. 

Robert Nel.son passed his childhood and early manhood with the 
family home. He left the parental roof at twenty-four years of age and 
was married and engaged in farming. His wife died soon thereafter and 
centennial year he was again married and, with .scarce an intermission, has 
continued his connection with the farm. 

Mr. Nelson was first married February 3, 1870, to Sarah Se.ils, who 
died in 1873, leaving a son. Alpha, who is married to Catherine Mills and 
resides in Allen county. January 26, 1876, Mr. Nelson was married to 
Mary O. Treatch, a daughtei of George W. Treatch, a German and from 
Darmstadt. The latter came to America with his family in 1840 and set- 
tled in Illinois about 1841. He was a miller by trade and was the father 
often children. Those living are: George Treatch, Catherine, wife of 
George Randolph, both of Illinois, Mrs. Robert Nelson; Kate, wife of Wil- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 275 

liaiii Crabtree, of Adams count}'; Matilda, wife of Wilson Jones; Fred 
Treatch, who married Maggie Seals and resides in the home county; 
Henry, who married Rosa Hill, residing in Adams county, Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson's children are: Gertrude, who is the wife of 
George Myers, of lola; Ona, wife of Lindsey T. Gillenwater, of Allen 
county, and Cora, Jessie and Clark, about the domestic hearttistone. 

In politics the early Nelsons were Whigs. L,ater on the voters of the 
family were divided as to parties and our subject became a Greenbacker, 
then a Union Labor man and finally a supporter of the Peoples Party. 



JOHN B. FERGUS, of Deer Creek township, well known in horticulture 
*-' and floriculture in Allen county, settled upon the west half of the north- 
east quarter of section 29, township 23, range 20, his present home, in 
January 1889. He was a resident of .Anderson county before coming into 
Allen and prior to that time occupied the old Younger home.stead in Jack- 
son county, Missouri. He was a resident of Missouri from 1879 to 1882 
when he to )k up his residence in Anderson county, Kansas. 

Mr. Fergus was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 
1858, and is a son of Thomas P. Fergus, of the same county and state. 
The latter was born in 1832, was engaged in the calling of a firmer and in 
[S79 went into Missouri. His last years were spent in Anderson county, 
Kansas, where he died in 1888. He married Abigail Bradford, a daughter 
of John and Annie (Hamilton) Bradford, lineal descentants of the famous 
Massachusetts family of Bradfords. John Bradford of this mention was a 
soldier in the war of 1812, was born in Pennsylvania and died near Dayton, 
Oliio. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Bradford are: Elizabeth 
Friend, of Wyoming, Ohio, aged eighty-two years, still living; Margaret Ser- 
vice, of Dayton. Ohio, eighty j-ears; Martha Jane Hamilton., Ft. Wayne, 
Indiana, seventy-eight years; Rev. D. G. Bradford, Springfield, Illinois, 
seventy six years; James H. Bradford, Bellbrook, Ohio, seventy-three 
years: Ebenezer E. Bradford, Centerville, Ohio, seventy years; Annie C. 
Ewing, missionary in Cairo, Egypt, sixty-eight years; Abigail Fergus, 
Glenlock, Kansas, sixty-six years; Agnes Andrews, Bellbrook, Ohio, 
sixty-three years. 

The Fergus' are of Scotch lineage. Thomas Fergus, our subject's 
paternal grandfather and a Scotchman, sought the United States about 
1803, stopped a season at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, but maae his permanent 
home in Washington county, that state. His sons and daughters were: 
Martha, who married James Taggart; Margaret, wife of Thomas McCall; 
Sarah, who married Joseph Donaghy; Nancy, who became Mrs. James 
White; Hugh; John and Thomas P. 

The surviving children of Thomas P. and Abigail Fergus are: Anna, 
wife of Alexander McKitrick, of Ander.son countv. Kansas; J. Bradford, 
our subject; Samuel and Hugh, of Anderson county ; Sadie, wife of Robert 
Furneaux, of Allen count}-, and Thomas, of Reno county, Kansas. 

John B. Fergus has passed his life a student of the field and farm. 



276 HISTOKV OF Al.I.EX AN'D 

His first iiulependeiit eiiterpiise was one calculated to make him a sheep 
j^rovver and he came into Allen county in 1881 and bought land for the 
])urpose of ranching it with sheep. The year happened to be a dry one 
and the venture proved a failure. He sold out what remained of his stock 
and for the next five years "knocked about." He was married in 1887 
and the next year, but one, moved to the farm that is now his attractive 
home. General farming and horticulture with a recent entry upon the fine 
cattle business are matters which claim all his time. P'roni a modest be- 
ginning he has gained on the world steadily and surely and has not only 
demonstrated his success with the soil but has established and maintained 
a public confidence that is worthy of emulation. 

May 20, 1887, Mr. Fergus was married to Hinnia Z. Nicholson, a 
daughter of Cornelius J. Nicholson, who came to Allen county in 1866 and 
settled in the valley of the Little Osage. He emigrated from Pike county, 
Illinois, where he was married to Sarah Hoover. Their children were: 
Scott \V., deceased; Uavid and Emma Z.; Robert, and Hattie,. wife of 
Robert Richardson, of Ripley, Oklahoma. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fergus' children are: T. Earl: Ruth, deceased; Hugh; 
Fanny p-ern, and Lou J., since deceased. The Ferguses are among the 
staunch and active Republicans. 



THEODORE THOMPSON ANDERSON, whose residence in Allen 
County dates from the pioneer settlement of the county and whose 
personality is among the best known of all her citizens, was born at Ripley, 
Oiiio, August 15, 1844. His father, Levi V. Anderson, died in Brown 
County, Ohio, in 1849. The latter was a son of John Anderson, an old 
Scotch schoof teacher who lived to an advanced age and died in Linn 
County, Missouri, in 1867. He was a most pronounced Abolitionist and 
was ordered to leave Missouri by Rebel sympathizers, as a rebuke for his 
altitude, but he took down his rifle and defied the "Secesh" element. He 
was married to Mary Van Camp. Their children were: Levi \'., our sub- 
ject's father, who died of smallpox; John, who served in the Civil wir with 
a Missouri regiment, and one other. 

Levi \'. Anderson married Caroline, a daughter of George T. and 
Hannah (Middleswart) Reynolds. George Reynolds is a Pennsylvanian 
and is buried on the hill north of lola, near the Robinson home. The 
Anderson children were: Mary J., who married ^L F. Warner and is buried 
at lola; Theodore T. ; Lavina A., wife of John McDonald, of lola; George 
T. , of Baxter Springs, Kansas. Caroline Anderson removed from Ohio to 
Livingston County, Illinois, with her family and while there she married 
our well remembered pioneer, Lyman E. Rhoades. Their only child was 
Rhoda, deceased, wife of the late Lafe McCarley. 

Lymun Rhoades was bcjrn in Ohio and died in lola in 1892 at the age 
of seventv-five years. He had two children by his first marriage and was a 



WOOIISON COrxTIES, KANSAS. 277 

l.illier to the children orplianed hy the death of Levi Andei>on. In com- 
ing to Kansas he put into execution a desire to locate in the west and he 
started overland on the journey hither in 1855. He meandered across the 
State of Missouri and stopped in Barton County where he raised a crop in 
the year 1856. The next spring he drove over into Kansas on a tour of 
inspection and decided to locate in Allen County. He brought his familv 
immediately and located on the claim where the lola mineral well is, in 
1S57. He was a prominent factor in the preliminary steps leading up to 
the organization of the town and remained one of its substantial and in- 
fluential citizens for many years. Rhoades' Addition to lola was laid out 
by him, the tract where the Northrup homestead is located was once his 
jiroperty. His last residence was on Sycamore street just north of the city 
limits. As a genuine man he was one to be remembered. His nature was 
in full sympathy for the needy and distressed and the testimony of the 
worthy poor of lola would be to the effect that he divided his substance 
with them and kept them from want. He served lola as Justice of the 
Peace and was one of the prominent local Republicans hereabout. 

T. T. Anderson got a smattering of an education attending a subscrip- 
tion school in lola. Joel L. Jones was one of the first teachers to visit lola, 
and he kept school in a rude building prepared for that purpose and situat- 
ed onthe Delap farm, northeast of town. Mr. Anderson also attended 
school in Tola's first school house, on lot 7, block 7?. In i860 he went 
back to Illinois on a visit and while there the war broke out and he decided 
to enter the Union army. In 1862 he joined the Third Illinois Cavalr)-. 
He joined his regiment at Helena, Arkansas, and took part in the Missis- 
sippi campaign. His first fight was at Chickasaw Bluffs and the number 
of engagements before the surrender of Vicksburg, in which he participated 
were twenty-two. The Third cavalry was ordered to aid in the reduction 
of Arkansas Post, after which it went south to New Orleans, taking part 
in the battle of Port Hudson. A considerable force of Union troops was 
sent to Texas in 1863 and Mr. Anderson's was one of the regiments to go. 
After a few exploits in the west the regiment, with others, went into Ten- 
nessee and was engaged in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. It re- 
mained in that vicinity the residue of Mr. Anderson's term of enlistment. 
He was discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, after serving two years, ten 
months and eleven days. 

When he left the army Mr. Anderson returned to Illinois, and without 
much delay came back to Allen County. Kansas. He purchased a farm on 
Elm Creek which he was deprived of, some time later, through the "securi- 
ty channel." Being much reduced in circumstances he brought his family 
to lola and for many years has maintained his residence here. 

For years Mr. Anderson held clerkships with some of lola's lead- 
ing merchants and his service was always marked for its faithfulness. His 
connection with the Ancient Order of United Workman in lola has 
brought him conspicuously into the public view and if there is a youth in 
lola who does not know him it would be a new-comer indeed. 

In 1865 Mr. Anderson was married in Livingston County, Illinois, to 



2-S HISTORY OF ALLKX AXI> 

Nancy M. DeMoss. a daughter of John and Mary DeMoss. She died in 
[867 and in 1871 Mr. Anderson was married in Tola to Cinderella M., ^ 
daughter of William and Adah Green, of Huron County, Ohio. Ta-o 
daughters were the fruits of this union: Carrie Estella and Pearl Adell. 
Carrie K. died in the eighth year of her age Miss Pearl, with the lola 
Racket, is the only living heir ot this union. 

Our subject became a Republican when ab)y and cast his first vote 
for the party in 1868. He is proud of the fact that he never voted for but 
one Democrat in his life. In the fraternal world he is one of the charter 
mciubers of lola lodge No. 98. A. O. IT. \V. , of which he has been Financier 
many years. 



GEORGE M. NELSON — Among the most energetic, reliable business 
men and entesprising, public spirited citizens of Allen County is 
numbered George M. Nelson, who now resides in Brooklyn Park, lola. 
Since his arrival in Kansas he has taken an active and commendable inter- 
est in public affairs and his laljors have been of valuable benefit to the 
county. 

A native of Ohio, Mr. Nelson was born in Highland County, on the 
7th of April, 1846. His f.ither, William .\. Nelson, was born in Hillsboro, of 
the same county, while John M. Nelson, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of Stanton, Virginia, whence he emigiated to Ohio in an early 
day on account of his views on the slavery question. William A. Nelson 
spent his early life in Hillsboro, and acquired his education in its public 
schools. After his marriage to Katherine Kibler, a daughter of Joseph 
Kibler of Hillsboro, he developed and improved a farm in Highland 
County, the land having been granted to his grandfather. Captain Trimblt, 
in recognition of his valued service in the American army during the war 
of the Revolution. The farm is still in possession of the family, by whom 
it has been owned for more than a century. Upon the homestead which he 
developed. William A. Nelson resided until his death, which occurred in 
1883. Hy his first marriage he became the father of six children, the eldest 
of whom died in infancy. The others are; Cary L., who died in 1899, at 
Albia, Iowa: Jennie li. , who is the widow of Robert Bishop and resides in 
Paris, Illinois; Joseph K., of Chelsea, Butler County, Kansas; George M., 
of this review, and Katherine A., wife of Henry Bishop, a journalist of 
Kansas City, Missouri. The mother of these children died in 1849, and 
Mr. Nelson afterward married Miss Margaret Kelley, of Rockbridge Coun- 
tv, Virginia, daughter of John Kelley. To them were born six children, 
five of whom reached maturity, namely: William C, a practicing physician 
of Sycamore Springs, Kansas; Anna V., wife of Marion Meyers of Paris, 
Illinois, who removed to California where Mrs. Meyers died in 1898; Charles 
Q., a medical practitioner of Albia, Iowa; Lena, the second wife of Marion 
Myers, who is now in Pasadena, California, and is the State Secretary of 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 279 

the Young Men's Christian Associalioii, and Thomas H., who occupies tin- 
old homestead at Hillsboro, Ohio. 

George M. Nelson, in whom the citizens in Allen County are especially 
interested, acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Hillsboro, 
Ohio, after which he pursued a classical course in the National Normal 
school in Lebanon, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1868. During the 
following )-ear he served as deputy postmaster in Lebanon, and later he 
purchased and operated a farm in Brown County, that State. He also en- 
gaged in teaching in the common schools there. He was for a year a member 
of the laculty in the Harrisburg Academy at Harrisburg. Kentucky, after 
which he emigrated to Kansas in 1SS3, locating in Butler County, • where 
for one year he was engaged in the stock business in connection with his 
brother, J. K. Nelson. In 1884 he purchased a farm a mile and a half north 
of Moran, Allen County, and took up his abode thereon in April of that 
year. For some time he successfully devoted his energies to agricultural 
pursuits. His fellow townsmen recognizing his ability and trustworthiness 
have frequently called him to public office, his first service having been the 
discharge of the duties of trustee of Marmaton township. He remained in 
tliat office for a year, and in 1890 he was made census enumerator. In 
1 89 1 he was elected county treasurer, and so acceptably discharged his 
duties that he was re-elected for a second term. On his retirement he entered 
into partnership with J. M. Mason in the real estate business, in which 
he is now engaged. The firm has conducted a number of important realty 
transactions, handling considerable valuable property, and tlieir business 
methods commend them to the confidence and pratonage of all. Mr. 
Nelson's lellow citizens, however, are not content that he should retire 
wholly from public office for his services have ever been of value, and at 
the present time he is acting as president of the board of education of lola. 
He has always supported the Republican party, and for a number of years 
has been a member of the Republican central committee. 

Mr. Nelson was married in 1S69 tf) Miss Clara A. McFadden, of 
Brown County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph McFadden, who was a native 
of Virginia. She was a graduate of the Lebanon Normal School of the 
class of 1868, and for some time followed teaching with excellent success. 
Four children were born of their marriage, but only one is now living, 
Wilfred \V., who is now engaged in the furniture business in lola with A. 
W. Beck. He enlisted as a private in Company D, Twentieth Kansas In- 
fantry under Colonel, afterward General, Fred Funston, and served for 
eighteen months in the Philippines. He was promoted to the position of 
(juartermaster sergeant, and as such was discharged. After the death of 
his wife in 1881 Mr. Nelson married Miss Phoebe E. Gilbert of Champaign 
County, Ohio. She died in 1886, survived by one of their two daughters — 
Grace G. Mr. Nelson's present wife bore the maiden name of Miss Elozia 
C. Strong, of Moran, Kansas a daughter of the late Dr. Henry Strong. Of four 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson two are yet living, Alfred and 
Lawrence. 

Mr. Nelson's military service began through connection with the Ohio 



2.SO rrisTuKY of ai.lkx anh 

State Miliiia, and with his regiment he was nuistereil into tlie United 
States service May 2, 1864, as a member of Company H, One Hundred 
Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry. After assisting in repulsing Morgan on his 
last raid and engaging in the battle of Cynthiana, Kentucky, the regiment 
was mostly on guard and patrol tluty until mustered out at Camp Dcnnison, 
Ohio, September S, 1864. Socially Mr. Nelson has been connected with 
the Masonic fraternity since 1880 and with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows since 1893. He has been a life long member of the Presbyterian 
church — a man of upright principles and of sterling worth, his character 
being tjuchas commands respect and admiration in every land and clime. 



JAV McCARLEY— The late A. Jay McCarley, of lola, among the best 
known cattle men of lola and ex-County Commissioner of Allen Coun- 
ty, came to the county in i860. He had resided in McLean County, 
Illinois, just prior to his entrance to Kansas, having taken up his resi- 
dence there in 185,^. He was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, and 
was a son of Samuel and Celia (Harris) McCarley. He was one of seven 
children, as follows: Mary, wife of Holman Dean, residing in Kentucky: 
Sarah, who married J. C. Todd and lived in lola; Samuel McCarley, re- 
siding in .San Jose, California; James McCarley, of California; Eliza, 
married Dorus Stevens, of Lexington, Illinois; A. Jay, and LaFayette C. 
McCarley, deceased. 

Jay McCarley received only a passably good education and began his 
life work as a farmer. He entered into a partnership with his brother, Lafe. 
at an early date and the two were engaged prominently in dealing in stock 
until death separated them. They owned farms adjoining, had the fullest 
confidence in each otlier and had no differences except in politics. A.J. 
-McCarley was elected Commi.ssioner of Allen County in 1879 and was re- 
elected in 1882, serving two full terms. He made a most conscientious and 
efficient official. With county matters he was as devoted as to his private 
matters, and when his services ended it was with a consciousness of having 
merited the plaudits of his whole county. 

Jay McCarley was no ordinary man. Coming here when a young man 
of twenty-three he was, during all the years that passed, a prominent, 
respected and influential citizen. He was a fine business man, as his suc- 
cess in farming and dealing in stock testified, and he was generous and 
public-spirited to a marked degree. He had no political ambition, but up- 
on the demanti ot the people he .served his county two terms in one of its 
most important offices. He brought to the Board of County Commissioners 
the same energy, zeal and clear-headed sagacity that marked the manage- 
ment of his personal interests. He had no religious professions but was a 
friend to the widow and the fatherless. His door stood open for any whose 
condition made them seek shelter there, and his purse was never closed 
against the appeal of the distressed. His hand was never withheld when 



WOODS'ON COUXTLES. KANSAS. 28 1 

its Strength was needed to sustain the weak. He never defrauded any 
man; he never went back on a friend. .Many loved him and all his ac- 
quaintances liked him. 

Mr. McCarlev was married October i8, 1863, in Neosho Falls, Kansas, 
by Squire Phillips to Hannah Goff. J, R. Gofi, Mrs. (McCarlev) Robert- 
son's father, was born in Maine, was married to Cynthia Noyes and died at 
Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1884. Their children were: .Sidney, Eliflet, 
Rufus and Horace Goff, of Stillwater, Minnesota; Mrs. Eli Ratliffe. of lola; 
Diana, deceased wife of Henry Clark, of Superior, Wisconsin; and Mrs. 
Robertson. The last named was born in Piscataquis County, Maine, Janu- 
ary 8, 1839. She was married to C. T. Robertson in 1893. 

Jay McCarlej' died April 9, 1892. He left no heks but was fond of 
children and he and his worthy wife reared two children of his sister, Mrs. 
Todd, viz.: Rice Todd and Mary, widow of John Beggs, of Chicago. 
Willie Briggs and Emma Lucas were also members of this hospitable house- 
hold. Alfred, Luther and Ella McCarley, children of Lafe McCarlev, 
make their home with Mrs. Robertson since the death of their parents. 



TOSIAH F. and lOLA COLBORN.— The venerable and revered pioneers 
'-' whose names introduce this review possess a history so closely and 
peculiarly identified with the county seat of Allen county that it is of in- 
terest and importance to enter at some length into the circum.stances of 
their settlement, the incidents following, and the substantial facts of their 
family history. While many other pioneers were intimately connected 
with the founding of and early hi.story of lola, and rested their hopes 
upon its future, we are warranted in asserting that there was not that pe- 
culiar, sincere and burning attachment existing as reallj^ po.ssessed Mr. 
and Mrs. Colborn, from the very circumstances of the case. 

J. F. and lola Colborn left Lewisville, Illinois, about the 20th of 
September, 1857, for Allen county, Kansas. An ox team was hitched to 
their effects and it "polled" its way across Missouri and into Kansas, 
reaching lola October 24h, following. In Jtme prior Mr. Colborn had 
made a trip of exploration and discovery in Kansas and had purchased a 
claim on the Xeosho river, embracing the land occupied by the Otten 
country home, the fair grounds and a large portion of the cit}' of lola. 
His cabin rested in the wood (on the site of the Otten residence) by the 
river and to this our settlers proceeded upon their arrival at their destina- 
tion. To prepare the cabin for the proper comfort of his family Mr. Col- 
born put in a floor, "battened" the door, etc., and when all was done 
about the house began the task of making the rails with which to fence 
forty acres of his farm. This tract included about half of what is now the 
public square and was enclosed eight rails high. He broke it out the ne.Kt 
spring, planted it to corn and soon after returned with his family to Illinois 



282 IIISTOKY OF AI.LKN AND 

fur a visit. He ex])ected to find a good crop of sod corn on his return but 
his experience with Kansas was too brief to take into account the prob- 
ability of a drouth (which ensued) and the sod corn was without ears or 
fodder. 

In 1858 the question of a town for the Neosho River and Rock Creek 
colony became to be agitated. The old (and first) county seat below the 
mouth of Elm Creek was not advantageously situated for a town and now 
that Humboldt had secured legislation which deprived the former of the 
county seat it was not thought wise to try to revive the old Indian town. 
An inspection of the country round about Elm Creek and the Xeosho dis- 
closed the fact that the Colborn claim was the ideal one for a townsite and 
in due time it was selected and purchased for the purpose. 

The movement in favor of a town on Elm Creek took subst uitial form 
in the organization of a town company, composed of fifty pioneers, of which 
Dr. John W. Scott was chosen president. The latter rcr^i' led in Carlyle at 
that time but became interested in the town propo.-^ition and became one of 
its chief and most powerful promoters. Weekly meetings of the company 
were held in a little school house out near where the "Horville" school 
house now stands and, at one of these meetings and when the business of 
the company had proceeded to the point of choosing a name foi the town, 
an assortment of hall a dozen or more were proposed. Noah Lee propo.sed 
Caledonia, as he was from Caledonia, Ohio; Mr. Colborn proposed Elgin 
and other favorite names, none of which seemed to "catch the ear" of the 
company. Finally Lyman E. Rhoads in a short and complimentary 
speech proposed the name of "lola" in honor of the wife of the former 
owner of the site of the town. This suggestion prevailed as "a motjou be- 
fore the house", adopted January 1859. 

It may interest some student of history to learn the origin of the name 
"lola" and while the information is accessible, sufficient for our purpose, 
it is here asserted that the name is of French origin. George Collins, a 
great uncle of Mrs. Colborn, married a French lady whose Christian name 
was lola. Thomas Friend, Mrs. Colborn's father, married Emily Collins, a 
neice of George Collins, and their first child was christened "lola." 

Returning to the personal history of Mr. Colborn — he was a farmer 
l)Ut one year in Allen county. After selling his claim he opened a shop 
and followed blacksmithing until .some time in 1862 when he began a 
clerkship with Brinkerhoff Brewster. He continued with him and with 
Scott Brothers, his successor, till 1865 when, in company with Nimrod 
Hankins, he opened a general store in lola. His w-as a popiflar place — 
the corner where Coutunl's hardware now stands — and he carried on his 
business with profit so long as lie remained there. Early in the eighties he 
sold his business corner and conceived the idea of introducing life into the 
"north side of the squre." He erected the first store-room on that side 
(the Shannon block) and opened a dry goods business. This venture 
was disappointing in its results. Trade could not be induced "to leave 
town," as cro.ssing the square seemed to be doing, but spent its surplus 
with niL-rchants about their "old haunts" and left the "north side" to 



WOODSON COrXTIES, KANSAS. 2iS3 

(.Iwiiidle and decay. Mr. C:)lborii continued l)u-ine.ss till 1896 when he 
closed his doors and retired. 

Fr'ini his earliest ad\-eiit to the county and for more than thirty-five 
years Josiah F. Colhorn was a conspicuous figure in the affairs of lola. 
When the county was first organized it was done under the "town-;hip 
plan." Each township chairman was, by virtue of his office, a member of 
the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Colborn was chairman of lola 
township and took part in the business of the first boa'd of County Commis- 
sioners. Down through the years he filled township and town offices, as 
called upon to do so by the voters at their annual elections, and all his 
official acts were performed with that painstaking care and consideration 
for the public good which characterized his personal intercourse and busi- 
ness relations with human kind. Ouiet, and without show or fuss, he has 
passed almost across the stage of acticn in lola and has maintained, for 
fort3"-five years, an unblemished, spotless reputation. In Masonic work he 
has been a part of the Allen county structure from the beginning. His first 
work was done in Kansas with Pacific Lodge at Humboldt when there 
were only eight Masons in the county. The lodge at lola was instituted 
in 1863 and he was appointed its first master. By election he served till 
1865, and was called to the chair again in 1870. In this, as in other 
things, he has done his duty conscientiously and is held in the highest 
esteem by the brethren of the craft. In politics, while his forefathers and 
many of his brothers were Democrats, he became a charter member of the 
Republican party, and is well known as such now. 

Josiah F. Colborn was born near Xoblesville, Hamilton county, In- 
diana, February 7, 1829. His father, Robert Colborn. went into that sec- 
tion about 1825, .settled a farm and remained till the latter part of the 
thirties when he removrd to LaFayette, Indiana, to execute a contract for 
a piece of work on the Illinois and Michigan canal. This work completed 
he settled in Clay county, Illinois, where he "look up" land, prospered as 
a farmer and died in 1855. He was born in Perry, county, Ohio, in iSoi 
and, in 1821, married Rosanna West who died in Clay county. Illinois, in 
1872. Robert Colborn, the ist, was our subject's paternal grandfather. 
He emigrated from .Somerset county, Pennsylvania, to Perry county, Ohio, 
soon after the close of the war of the Revolution and removed from Ohio to 
Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1823 and there died. He was the father <^f 
five sons, viz: Johathan, Robert, Jesse, Perry and Harrison. 

Robert and Rosanna Colborn's children were: Levi, who died in 
Clay county, Illinoss, in 1899; Samuel, who died fn Richland county, Illi- 
nois, in 1885, George W., of Clay county, Illinois; Mary Jane, who mar- 
ried Crawford Lewis, died in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in iSgS; Josiah Francis: 
Elizabeth, who married Jonathan Lewis, died in Texas: Robert, of Rich- 
land county, Illinois; Martha, who married Mr. Hadden, is believed to 
reside in Arkansas, and John W., who was one of the early residents of 
lola, served on General Logan's staff in the Rebellion, as first lieutenant, 
went into the southwest from lola and was never heard of again. 

J. F. Colborn was married to Tola Friend on the 12th of September, 



IIISTOKY OF AUr.EN AND 



284 

1857. The latter's father was Thomas Friend whose ancestors were Dutch 
and whose wife's antecedents w^ere Scotch. He married Emily Collins, as 
elsewhere stated, and their four children to reach maturity were: lola, 
born Januaiy 13, 1832; Mary B., of lola; Marshall D., of Chirago, Illinois, 
and Wellington M., deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Colborn 
are: Mrs. Alice Scott; Luella, the first child horn in lola, is the wife of 
William P. Northrup, of Murray, Idaho; Effie J., wife of Edward Moffit, 
ol Wallace, Idaho; Madaline Jo., wife of David M. McKissick, of Wallace, 
Idaho; Nellie Colborn, of lola, and George M., of Spokanne, Washington' 



Gl{ORGE J. IvLDKIDCiE — Those who lived in the vicinity of lola as early 
as the year 1850 recall the appearance, one July day of a little English- 
UKiii driving a yoke of oxen across the prairie and into the village. Behind 
this primitive team was a young wife and son and all the worldly effects of 
the travelers. Th.it they were settlers was early made known and that they 
were poor was at once apparent. They had made the journey all the way 
from McHenry County, Illinois, to lola and were just finishing their triii 
that 27th of July. Their resources, aside from their team, wagon and 
camping outfit, amounted to $40. The head of the family was a wagon- 
maker and the hope of their future welfare lay in his ability to provide 
life's necessities from his trade. He built a small cabin on the site of the 
Hart livery barn and took possession. If his wagon shop was not the first 
in town it was one of the early ones and he plied his trade .as the main 
means of existence from that date till 1868. 

The few foregoing facts are sufficient to identify the subject of this 
review, George J. Eldridge. He was born in East Kent, England, Mary 
19, 1833, and was a son of Richard and Mary (Bone) Eldridge. The 
p;irents had six children, two of whom survive: Mrs Peter Adams, of Cald- 
well, Missouri, and the subject of this notice. Although his father was a 
shoemaker George Eldridge left England without a trade. He went 
aboard a sailing vessel at London, in company with an uncle and family, 
and after five weeks of .sea life landed in Castle Garden. The little com- 
pany located in Wayne County, Xew York, and there, at the age of 
eighteen years, our subject took his first lessons in wagon-making. In 
1,856 he came on west to McHenry County, Illinois, residing three years, 
and while there marrying Miss Martha J. Hopkins, a lady born in Alle- 
ghany County, New York. She was a daughter of William and Mary 
Hopkins whose children .she and Mrs. Catharine Washburn, deceased, of 
IClgin, Illinois, are. 

Two of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge survive: Mary, 
wife of John Cloud, of Allen County, has a son. Glen; and Richard A. 
Eldridge, still under the parental roof. 

I i George Eldridge had been in America ten years when the Rebellion 

II broke out. He felt the same patriotic zeal for the preservation of the Union 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 285 

under the southern sun of Kansas as in the free and invigorating air of the 
northern clime. When the second call for troops was issued he enlisted 
for three years or during the war. He entered Company E, 9th Kansas 
Cavalry Colonel Lvnde and Captain Flesher. on the 19th of October, i86r. 
The Company joined the regiment at Lawrence, Kansas, and in the course 
of events was sent south into the Territory. It took part in the battle of 
Prairie Grove and in many smaller engagements and skirmishes in Mis- 
souri and Arkansas. Mr. Eldridge was discharged at Duval's Bluff, Ar- 
kansas, in January, 1855. having served his three years. 

In 1867 Mr. Eldridge purchased the tract of land which is his home- 
stead. It is the northwest quarter of section 36, township 24, range 17, 
and cost him three and a half dollars per acre. The first years of his 
career as a farmer was something of a struggle for little more than existence. 
Like all settlers without means it was a slow process to do more than the 
natural improvement the first ten years. After this his progress was steady 
and sure and as the circumstances warranted he extended the area of his 
farm. As is well known he is one of the substantial men of his community, 
and a gentleman whose social and political integrity are undoubted and 
above reproach. He is a Republican pioneer, having joined the party in 
1856 as a charter member. His first vote was for John C. Fremont and 
his last one for William McKinley. He has aided in an official capacity 
the conduct of public business in his township and does his part as an in- 
dividual toward the promotion of Republican principles and Republican 
success in political campaigns. 



JOSEPH P. ROSE, of Elm township, Allen County, was almost a 
'-' pioneer to Woodson County, Kansas. He homesteaded a tract of land 
there, in section eight of Liberty township, and remained a citizen of 
Woodson till 1895 when he became a citizen of Allen. His farm is the 
northeast quarter of section 19, town 25, range 19, and in early days it was 
the Zike propert}'. 

Mr. Rose was born at Kingston, Ontario, October 30, 1.S47. In 1853 
his father, Stephen R. Rose, left Canada and located at Rockford, Illinois. 
The latter was a hotel man at Kingston, Canada and followed railroad and 
carpenter work in Rockford, Illinois. He was married to Elizabeth Adget 
who died in Rockford, while he died in Eredonia, Kansas, in 1897 at the 
age of eighty seven years. Their children are: Sarah J., wife of Lorenzo 
Bissell, of Winnebago County, Illinois; D. W. Rose, of Detroit, Michigan; 
Annie, wife of Fred L. Horton, of Chicago, Illinois; Joseph P., oursubject, 
and Cyrus Rose, of the Indian Territory. 

The Rases were originally from York State. Our subject's father was 
born in the Empire State and migrated to Canada in early life. In 
1866 he came onto the prairies of Kansas and settled in the county of 
Woodson. 

J. P. Rose began life as a newsboy. He carried the News and Times 



286 IIISTDKY OK AI.LKX AND 

in DuBiuine, Iowa, and later worked in the lead mines at that place. 
With the exception of the year 1886 he has resided in Kansas, Woods(3n 
and Alien Counties. He spent the year 1S86 in Pomona, California, where 
he was toll-keeper in a mill. But he had lived too long in Kansas to be con- 
tent with a new place, so he came back to Wood.son County and took up farm- 
ing, where he left off, and is today one of the well known citizens of Elm 
township), Allen County. 

In January, 1S81, .VIr. Rose was married to Emma Crabb, a daughter 
of Henders(5n Crabb, who came to Kansas in 1866 and was once the pro- 
prietor of the Pennsylvania Hotel in I ola. His wife was Mary Beach, who 
resides in Pomona, California. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rose's children are: Albert R., who died in 1897 ^t 
the age of sixteen years; Richard; W. Darwin; George Beach; A. Orville and 
Lillian V. 

The Roses are Republicans and Methodists. Our subject is leader 
of the class in the LaHarpe charge and is otherwise one of the active 
members. 



MILI.Akl) KIL.MORKSICKLV was born in Livingston County, New 
York, January 11, 1852. His father, Robert Sickly, a farmer by 
occupation, was born in New Jersey, and married Elizabeth Gray, born in 
the same .State. .A brother and sister of Mrs. Sickly are still in the Empire 
State, William T Gray and Mrs. Mary Morris. 

The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the old family home- 
stead, where he assisted in the labors of field and garden until he was 
twenty-one years of age. He then went to California, remaining in the 
Golden State for a yeai. Subsetjuently and for a period of five years he en- 
gaged in merchandising in New York. In 1880 he came to Allen County, 
Kansas, remaining in lola while a house was being erected-on the farm in 
Elm township which he had purchased. As soon as the new home was 
completed he took up his abode therein and as the years have passed his 
labors have wrought great change in the appearance of the farm through 
the improvements he has added. His w-ork has annually augmented hi.s 
income and he now has a very desirable property. Mr. Sickly's brother, 
.\ltred, the only other surviving member of the family, is living in the 
Empire State. 

In 1879 -Mr. Sickly was united in marriage to Mi.ss Annie L. Bearss, a 
native of Livingston County, New York, where her people were also born. 
Her mother belonged to the well known Jerome family of that St-^te, Mr. 
and Mrs. Sickly have four children: Dumont, Clyde, Bertha and Glenn. 
Mr. Sickly exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and 
measures of the Republican party although his father was a Democrat. He 
spent his early life on the Atlantic coast, passed one year on the Pacific 
coast, and is now contentedly living in Kansas, his labors having brought to 
him creditable success, so that he is now the possessor of a good home here. 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANS\S -,0- 

2b/ 

QIMOX KLOTZBACH.-Perhaps the historv of few men i„ Alien 
count.v exemplifies more forcibly the power of determination couraj-e 
and industry in achieving success than does that of Simon Klot/bach u, 
honored pioneer of Allen county. He was born in Hessen Germanv 
March ID, 1848, and ,s a representative of a family that was prominent 
both m political and military affairs there. His grandfather. Martin 

t^inn?h K-T'' •""i^"' N^^P°1"^" i" the battle of Wagram in .809, and 
two of his brothers-iM-law went to Moscow under that officer. The rounder 
entered the army at the age of fifteen and served under the Corsica.. 4i.- 
era! for fifteen years. He was a "Tryrom/'-a man that batters d^ wn 
doors.-unt.l that pos.t.o.. was abolished by the use of cannon, alter which 
he was a sharpshooter and also served on outer picket dutv 

GeorgeKlotzbach, the father of our subject, was born in 1802 and in 
the 6os^ came to America where he took up farming as an occupation. He 
ollowed that punsu.t for several years in Pennsylvania, removed to Illinois 

IL^riliJ 'a V\ ?'"t *" ^^""T' '^"""g^ °" ^ f^--"^ °» which Simon 
now reside., and which he homesteaded. His widow and daughter Ma- 
tilda are now i.v.ng vy.th the subject of this review, and the mother 
althouP'h ninety years of age, is still en,oying good health. The other sur^ 
viving member of the family is Mrs. Kate Malone, who lives in Iowa 

bimon klotzbach of this review spent his early youth in the fatherland 
and accoinpanied his parents on their emigration to the new world He 
came to Kansas .n an early period in the development of Allen cou..tv and 
soon after h.s arnval heie he attempted to purchase his supper at a 'l ouse 
he h^VTh K^"'/",'^'n""' "^ '^'' ''''"'y °f f°^d was refused, although 

InH hIL fr^ .T f '^°""''' '" ^''' P°'-^'^^'- "^ ^"ffer^^ »''^"^- hardships 
and d.fficult.es those first years m Kansas. Twice the grasshoppers de- 
stroyed all his crops, and he has at several different times lost aU his ho's 
by cholera and once by cockle burrs. His first loss amounted to abou 
tuelve hundred do lars, and the next spring and fall he lost at each time 
about sixty head. In ,897 he lost about one hundred and fiftv head of 
hogs; ni 1898 o.ie hundred and forty; and the following winter between 
ort3_ aijd fifty and at one time he lost probably one hundred head of cattle 

ZO^^ ^ ^■'^"■• ^ ^' '" f ?■'"' °^ ^^^ ''"' ^^ h^« prospered and he to-dav 

owns five eightv acre tracts of land, of which one hundred acres are planted 

IZre:"^ '''' h'':;' '-^''l^ '.""^"^ '^'^ ^^'"^^ '" °"^ Pl-t- He follows 

^ °0,T h. T fn / K ^" ^''■'"'"^^' ^"^' "^"^"^^ « '^'gh degree of success. 

On the 7th of October 189,, Mr. Klotzbach married Miss Dora Strup- 

hart whose w-idowed mother ,s now living in Chanute, Kansas. Her 

Mrs k''li°KPv,'''"'''T'"^-'^'"V"^"''''''P' ^"<^" '^"^"^'y- Unto Mr and 
Mrs Klotzbach were born five children, viz; George, Willie, Mary Mar- 
garet and Irank, who died at nine months. • > ■ 

During the Civil war Mr. Klotzbach manifested his loyaltv to his 
adopted comitry by enlLsting in the Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
and with Sherman participated 111 the celebrated march to the sea While 
at the front he suffered a very severe attack of typhoid fever and it was be- 



2SS HISTliKY OF ALLKN AND 

lieved that he could n )t recover. To all duties of citizenship in times of 
peace he is as true and loyal as when he defended the stars and stripes on 
southern battlefields. 



T~>R. S.-\MUKL H. KELLAM, who located in LaHarpe about three 
-'— ^ years ago and who already enjoys a large and lucrative patronage in 
the line of his profession, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, May 6, 1865. 
His father, Nathan Kellain, was a farmer and stock raiser of Elk county, 
Kansas. He, too, is a native of Shelby county, Illinois, his birth having 
occurred there in 1827. In the place of his nativity he continued to reside 
until i88d, wheu he took up his abode in Kansas and has since become a 
prominent stock raiser and shipper of Elk county. Having acquired a 
comfortable competence he is now retired. He is a leading representative 
of the Democracy in that locality and is respected by all who know him. 
He married Ellen Vantis, a daughter of Isaac Yantis, a farmer of .Marion 
county, Ohio, who at an early day removed to Illinois, carrying all his 
personal effects in a red handkerchief. In the Prairie state the latter pros- 
pered, becoming well-to-do. The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
born in Kentucky in 1790, and he also became a pioneer of Illinois, mak- 
ing the journey to Shelby county in a two wheeled cart. There he began 
the arduous task of transforming the wild land into a good farm. He mar- 
ried Nancy Smith and they became the parents of five sons and two 
daughters, namely: Samuel, William, Nathan, Logan, John, Mrs. Leran, 
James and Mrs Matildi Hauderly, the last mined being still a resident of 
Shelby county. The Kellam and Yantis families were united through the 
marriage ot Nathan Kellam and Ellen Yantis. Their union was blessed 
with si.K children wiio are still living: Flora, wife of \V. T. Calon, of Elk 
county, Kansas: Sarah, wife of J. W. Donnell: William J., wIkj died in 
1892; Nora Belle, wife of J. G. Yantis, of Elk county; Metla Blanche and 
.■\ulIendore, who are also residents of Elk county. 

Into the mind of Dr. Kellam of this review were early instilled lessons 
of industry. When quite young he began work on liis father's farm, 
remaining there until he was twenty-one years of age. His father retired 
and for four years he managed the ranch. In the meantime he secured a 
good foundation for his professional knowledge by a thorough English 
course, supplementing his prelim'inary .studies by a course in the Howard 
high school, of which he is a graduate. For some time he occupied the 
position of department foreman of the .\rmour Packing Company, of Kan- 
sas City, but wishing to make the practice of medicine his lite work he 
began reading in the office and under the direction of Dr. Strunen, with 
whom he remained for two years. Later he was graduated in the Kansas 
City College of Physicians and Surgeons and received practical training 
while acting as assistant in the free dispensary hospital at Bethany. Prior 
to coining to LaHarpe he practiced medicine in Kansas City for three 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 289 

years, but since 1897 has been a valued member of the medical fraternity of 
Allen county. 

Doctor Kellam married Miss Hattie Graham, who was born in Ohio in 
1.S67, a daughter of James Graham, now a farmer oi Elk county, Kansas. 
Two children grace their union: Marvelle and Lillian. The IJoctor and 
his wife have many friends in Allen county where he is enjoying an ex- 
cellent practice, having a patronage that many an older representative of the 
medical fraternity might well envy. As a citizen he is public spirited and 
progressive, and is therefore a welcome addition to LaHarpe. 



/"^OLUMBUS L. RICE.— On the roll of the business men of Humboldt 
^-^ appears the name of Columbus L,. Rice. He was born in Jasper 
county, Missotiri, on the 12th of September, 1854. His father, George D. 
Rice, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a \'0ung man removed to 
Ohio, where he was united in marriage to Eleanor Taylor. On leaving the. 
Buckeye state he took up his residence in Missouri, and the year 1S62 
witnessed his arrival in Allen county, Kansas. Soon afterward he joined 
the Union army as a member of the Ninth Regiment of Kansas Volunteers, 
and served throughout the remainder of the war, loyally aiding in the 
preservation of the Union. During much of his life he followed farming, 
but in later years he located in Humboldt, where he was engaged in the 
coal business until his death, in July, 1899, when he was seventy-three 
years of age. 

Columbus L. Rice was reared upon the home farm and through the 
sunny days of early spring followed the plow as it turned the furrows for 
the planting. He afterward engaged in farming on his own account for a 
short time, when he entered the machinery department of the business of 
Johnson & Bragg at Humboldt, being thus employed for nine and a half 
years. On severing his connection with that firm, he entered the employ 
of William Rath, who was in the same line of business, and with whom he 
remained for seven and a half years. While there he learned the trade of 
a tinner and gas fitter. Subsequently he opened a hard^vare store of his 
own, conducting it for two year^, when he sold out to E. W. Trego, with 
whom he has since remained in the capacity of tinner and gas fitter. He 
has always been an industrious and energetic man and has never had 
trouble in keeping himself employed. 

Mr. Rice was married on the 23rd of March, 1S79, to Miss Lydia Ann 
Shellman, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Shellman. She was born 
nea: Bloomington, Illinois, and in 1872 came to Kansas with her parents, 
who settled in Humboldt, where her father was proprietor of the Sherman 
House. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice has been born a son, Robert Charles, 
whose birth occurred in October, 1880. In his political affiliations Mr. 
Rice is a Republican, but though he keeps informed on the issues of the 
day he has never been a politician. He is connected with the Modern 



290 HISTOKV OF AI.I.HX AM) 

Woodmen of America, and is well known in his coniraunity for those traits 
of character, which in every land and every clime command respect. 



THOMAS M. FITZFATKICK.— A history ot Allen county would be 
incomplete without the record of Thomas Marion Fit/.patrick for he is 
one of her native sons, a distinction of which verj- few men of his age can 
boast. He was born in the county in i860, before the slate was admitted 
into the Union. His father was one of the pioneers of Kaii.sas who came 
hither locating in Osawatomie in i<S56. Four years later he took up his 
abode in .Allen county, locating on what was known as the Bishop farm, 
and during the Civil war he served as a private in Company E, Ninth 
Kansas Cavalry. He was born in Missouri in 1820, and was thoroughly 
familiar with the development of the west. He married Rebecca Sparks, 
whose people were natives of Indiana. Their surviving children are: J. 
J. F'itzpatrick, of Allen county; Mrs. .Sarah E. Scluiltz, of Anderson county: 
Thomas M., of this review; and Mrs. Anna M. Lucky, of Allen county. 

The boyhood of our subject was not one of leisure for he was earlv 
trained to do the work of the farm and through the summer months as- 
sisted with the plowing, planting and harvesting. He pursued his educa- 
tion in the subscription school, his first teacher being a Mr. Todd, and the 
school house being on the Fultun farm. Mr. Fitzpatrick also engaged in 
teaming from Kansas City prior to the building of the Southern Kansas 
railroad. He aided in farm work when Elm township was a part of lola 
township, and only about ten families lived within its borders, the greater 
part of the land being wild prairie which awaited the awaking touch of 
civilization. The first land which he owned was a quarter of the Dr. F^'ul- 
ton farm. He removed to his present farm in 18S1, and is to-day the 
owner of a valuable property, his labors having wrought a great change in 
the appearance of the farm. 

In iSSo Mr. Fitzpatrick wedded Mi.ss Melissa Leake who was liorn on 
the farm now- owned by Mr. Daniel Horville, and whose mother is yet 
living. She has three brothers living in Kansas: William Henry, a resi- 
dent of Phillips county; J. P., of lola, and I. T. , who is also living in the 
county. The children of Mr and Mrs. Fitzpatrick are Albert, Hertha 
May, Cora Fay and Jessie. All are under the parental roof. 

After attaining his majority our subject gave his political support to 
the Democracy, but of late years has been a Populist. He has served as a 
member of the school board, and is a prominent member of the camp of the 
Modern Woodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick are native citizens of 
Allen county, and as such are entitled to distinction. They have always 
nianife.sted a deep interest in its progress and upbuilding and have borne 
their share in the work of development which has placed Allen county 
upon a par with any county in the commonwealth. Their social qualities 
and genuine worth have gained them many friends. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 2QI 

TV /TRS. MARGARICT C. DEAL, one of the pioneers of Allen county, 
-L^J- was born in Indiana May 9, 1841. Her father, Enos Myers, a 
native of North Carolina, came to Indiana when still a young man. Here 
he married .Sallie Seachrist, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Mj'ers moved 
to Illinois when Mrs. Deal was eleven years old, and resided there for two 
years. He then moved to Denton county, Texas, where Mrs. Deal was 
married in 1857 to Andrew M. Deal, a native of Indiana. Mr. Deal had 
gone to Texas when but twenty-one years old, intending to make that state 
his home. When the war came on he did not believe in the Confederacy, 
and, as Union men were not wanted in that part of Texas, he came to Kan- 
sas. An ardent and earnest advocate of the cause of the Union in the great 
struggle, Mr. Deal in 1862, enlisted in the Ninth Kansas regiment. The 
regiment was used largely again.st the bushwhackers, that infested the 
border counties and made life for the free state men a constant terror. One 
morning a party of twenty from the regiment, amc^ng the number Mr. Deal, 
joined a detail of scouts for an expedition. While passing througii a stone 
lane near West Port, they were suirounded by the enemy, believed to be 
Quantrell's guerrilas, who opened upon them from behind cover. Al- 
though surprised and unable to see their foe they fought gallantly, until 
fifteen of Company E, Ninth Kansas men were killed, Mr. Deal among 
the number; the five men who were left making their escape. The Con- 
federates killed the Federal wounded. 

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Deal: Mary E. , now the 
wife of Howard Moore; Paris and Thomas, both living at home. Left thus 
with the care of a small family Mrs. Deal faced the future with a courage 
worthy of the husband, who had given his life for his country. The chil- 
dren as they grew older aided in the struggle against the hardships of the 
new country and now, after many years, have succeeded in acquiring a 
fair share of this world's goods. Three miles east of Humboldt they have 
a pleasant home, surrounded by stately maple trees, and every acre ot the 
eighty is well improved and shows the evidences of careful cultiv-ation. 

To the fatherless children Mrs. Deal has given a careful training and 
the record of the dee Is of her husband has been one of the cherished 
memories of their life. 



T~^AVID P. DURNING is one of the most successful .stockdealers of 
-■ — ' southeastern Kansas where he has carried on business since 1871, 
and through the intervening years he has borne an unassailable reputation 
in trade circles, never making an engagement which he has not kept, nor 
contracted an obligation that he has not met. His sagacity and enter- 
prise, and moreover his untiring labor have brought to him a handsome 
competence, and the most envious can not grudge him his success, so 
honorably has it been acquired. Neither have his labors resulted alone to 
his individual benefit, for on account of the large amount of stock which 



2C,2 



IIISTOKY OF AI.LKN AND 



he handles he has instituted a market for miicli of the grain raised in this 
locality and his trade relations with his fellovvmen have 'been mntuiilly 
profitable. 

Mr. Burning was born in Kentucky March 4. 1842. His father, John 
Durning was a native of Pennsylvania, and during his boyhood days ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to Kentucky where he was reared 
lo manhood and married to Miss Mary J. Maxwell. The latter died when 
her son, Porter, was a small boy. Mr. Durning afterward came to Kansas and 
spent his last days with the subject of this review, his death occurring 
about 18S5. 

David Porter Durning spent his early boyhood days under his father's 
roof, remaining at home until he was fourteen years of age, when the father 
suffered financial reverses and he started out to make his own way in the 
world. His educational privileges were very limited. He attended school 
fir about a year, but other than this his mental di.scipline has been obtained 
in the hard school of experience. Reading, observation and practical work 
gave him a good knowledge which fitted him for ihe responsibilities of a 
business life. On leaving home he went to Illinois in 1857 and there 
secured work by the month as a farm hand. He was thus employed until 
he had saved money enough to venture upon a new stage of life's journey, 
taking to himself a companion and helpmate, — .Miss Mary J. Traughber, — 
their marriage being celebrated in the year 1S65. The lady was born and 
reared in Illinois and for a few years after their marriage they resided in 
that State, but believing that there were better opportunities for young men 
in the districts farther west, Mr. Durning turned his face toward the setting 
sun and in 1871 arrived in Kansas, locating on the county line betrt-een 
Allen and Woodson counties. He made his home tl'.ere for a number of 
years, and improved the property, but gave the greater part of his time ;ind 
attention to tlie buying and shipping of stock. After eight years he took 
up his abode in the city of Humboldt and has always continued his opera- 
tions as a live stock dealer. He entered into partnership with James 
Dayton and togethei they purchased and shipped Htock for a number of 
years, when the busintss relations between them were dissolved, since 
which time Mr. Durning has been buying, feeding and shipping stock on 
his own account. His business has grown to very extensive proportions and 
he ships more stock from the Humboldt depots than any other man in the 
county, his shipments reaching as high as thirty five carloads a hionth. 
His equipment and preparation foi feeding and growing stock is unequaled 
in the State. He pays good prices to the farmers for their grain and his e.\- 
tensive stock dealing interests have made Humboldt one of the I)est grain 
markets in Kansas. He is an excellent judge of horse.s., cattle and hogs 
and this enables him to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. 

In his political views Mr. Durning is a stalwart Republican, but he 
has never sought or desired the emoluments of public office, preferring to 
give his attention to his business affairs. He started out in life for himself 
a poor boy without capital. His environments were not particularly favor- 
able and he had no influential friends to aid him, but he placed his reliance 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 293 

in the more substantial qualities of diligence, energy, determination and 
lionesty. The experience of men who are willing to work persistently 
and intelligently and wait calnih goes to prove that success may surelj- be 
attained during the ordinary lifetime, and no man, not cut off at an untimely 
«ge need work and wait in vain. Steadily has Mr. Burning increased his 
capital and his honorable business methods and unflagging industry have 
enabled him for many years to maintain a position among the wealthy 
business men of Allen Count\;. 



"TD ICHARD WARD— A native of the Empire State, Richard Ward wf.s 
-'- '^ born in Westchester County in 1843. The Wards came originally 
from Holland to America, the family being established in New York in 
1680. James Ward, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of West- 
chester County. Hezekiah Ward, the father of our subject, was also a 
native of Westchester County and was a farmer by occupation. He wedded 
Mary A. Cromwell, who was of English lineage. They became the parents 
of three sons who are still living: Clarence A. and Charles P., both younger 
than Richard, being still residents of the Empire State. 

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life 
for Richard Ward during his boyhood days. He assisted in the labors of 
field and meadow through the summer months and pursued his 
education through the winter season at the common schools. In 
1864, on attaining his majority, he enlisted in the navy and was assigned 
to duty on the war ship Hetzel. He afterward served on the Granite and 
nn the Mattabessett, his time being spent with the blockading forces at 
Plymouth, Albemarle Sound and Cape Hatteras, under Commander 
Febbager. Throughout his business career he has carried on agricultural 
pursuits and has gained a good living through his indefatigable industry. 

In October, 1870, Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Naomi 
Iv'irl, who is the only child of William Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Ward now 
have seven children, all of whom still call the old place home. These are: 
Hezekiah, Mary A., Fanny C, Jennie, Clarence A., William J. and 
Amelia. The year 1880 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Ward and his family 
in Allen County, and he has since been numbered among the enterpri.--ing 
agriculturists of Elm township, having a very comfortable home, which is 
surrounded bj' well tilled fields, whose neat and thrifty appearance indi- 
cates the careful supervision of the owner. As a citizen he takes a 
commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his com- 
munity and gives a loyal support to all measures which he believes will 
contribute to the substantial upbuilding of the county and to 'its progress 
along intellectual, social and moral lines. 



294 HISTORY OF ALI.EX ANt> 

/^HARLES F. HELLE — In Humboldt township is a well developed 
^— ^ farm which is the property of Charles F. Helle, one of the most 
prosperous agriculturists of the county. He was born in Allen County, 
Indiana, on the 20th of November, 1843. His father, Frederick Helle. 
was a native of Prussia and in that country married Celatara Pence. With 
his young wife he sailed for America in 1841, and after a short time spent 
in New York continued his westward journey until he established his home 
in Allen County, Indiana. He was a passenger on the first canal boat that 
was ever taken through the Erie Canal. By trade he was a tanner and 
worked with General Grant at the tannery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 
friendship formed between them at that time continued throughout their 
remaining days Mr. Helle was also an engineer and during the latter 
part of his life was employed in that capacity in the foundry of Stacy & 
Bouser, at Fort Wayne. He died in 1876 at the age of sixty six years, and 
his wife pas.'^ed away in 1S70 at the age of fifty-tive years. Tliey were the 
parents of only two children, the daughter, Louisa Uolman, being now a resi- 
dent of Allen Cjunty, Indiana. 

Charles F. Helle was the elder. Although his p.^rents were natives of 
the fatherland he never learned the German language. He associated with 
boys who spoke the English tongue and has always been an American in 
thought, purpose and teeling. His time in \ outh was devoted to the 
studies of the school room and to different employments that would contri- 
bute to his livelihood. In Allen County, Indiana, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Amanda Bishop, the wedding being celebrated November 3, 
1862. The lady was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and was 
afterward a resident of Ohio, but later moved to the Hoosier Slate. Unto 
ihem have been born seven children, namely: Charles F., who is engaged 
in the transfer business in Chicago; Lizzie, the wife of J. W. WheatJey, a 
resident of lola; John, at home; Warren, who is also engaged in business 
in Chicigo; F^rank, who has business interests in Kansas City; George and 
Daisy, who are with their parents. 

Thinking to find better opportunities in the west where 'there was not 
such great competition, Mr. Helle removed from Indiana to Allen County, 
Kansas, and purchased three hundred acres of land a mile and a half north 
of Humboldt. Tu his property he has added until now he has land aggre- 
gating seven hundred and fifty acres, a rich farming tract in this section of 
the State. He raises wheat, oats and corn on an extensive .scale, and has 
large numbers of horses, mules, cattle and hogs, and everything about the 
place is neat and thrifty in appearance and modern in appointment. H is 
residence occupies a commanding building site, standing on a bluff of the 
Neosho river in the midst of a beautiful grove of natural forest and cedar 
trees. In politics he is independent, voting for the man he regards as best 
qualified for the office. His business career has surely been a most success- 
ful one, due to his well directed, earnest and indefatigable efforts. He 
has made a good record as a business man and citizen, being at all times 
reliable and upright. His name is high on the roll of Allen County's most 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 

prosperous agriculturists. His code of morals is such as to in„..i i ■ . 
just consideration of the rights of all with whL ,7 Tn K ^ k "l^" " 
contact and a couscientious%bservance"o; ai;Vhr;nrpriet;;^o1 Hfe ""^''^ '" 

QLIVER H^ STEWART-Although Mr. Stewart does not make his 
home ,n Allen County at the present time, he is one of the native 

He occupies an enviable positiou^in fmancS circles ot ,ll ""^ ''''^"''- 

Mr. Stewart was born in this countv on the fith Hqv ^f -nt , 

iS6i, a representative of one of the leading, p oneer amilies u^°''''''^'l^ 
having settled in what is now Allen Countv .Mn! I a' i ^^'^l^"" 

Indians ,,„der the control of the Sac and fI.x A^encv in ,hj Cdia^ t '"" 
tor, and defiled as an expert acconntant to thj Sac and F^x LeScv" 

.en-irriSha^di, ,?d"li:;tSrZa.S ''r„.S;er'TSTrJ^^^ 

ni the organization of The State Brnk of Arsons w,,A"'''' ""'''T^^ 
business on the 7th day of .Vovemher A n ^^'^■'°"-'' " "^^'^ ""^'^ opened for 

mmmmmm 

they are classified amnno- fh. i.fl^ ^^ P«'''«o"al attention, and 

He and Mr!%tT % safe financial institutions of the State. 

of Aife!: ct n ••; m^L^tire"s:if in?/.? ?r^^? °^"'"^ • ^""^'^^'^ ---^ 
^^^s:; r xv;i ^ c:^isiie-nSr:;rSif c^^ir^-"' «-■>■ -- 

Ellsworth F ' Harold K ..tn p i^. ^ ''^'''^ ^°"'' ^°"«- Lyman O., 

and.nevear Mr an^'Mrs St'i -^P'^ respectively twelve, ten, five 

>ear. Air. and Mrs. Stewart have many warm friends in Allen 



2g(, HISTORY OK AI.I.KN AND 

Cninty as well as ill the city of their present residence. In his p .litical 
drfiliitions he has ahvays been a Republican. He has served as president 
of the Board of Education of the city of Parsons, and member of the City 
Council of the citv of Humboldt. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Royal Arcanum. ' Both Mr. Stewart and his wife are members of the First 
Presb\tevi<in church of Parsons. 



BFIRGEN S. SMITH, one of the prosperous business men of Humboldt, 
was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, July 27, 1857. His 
father, Zachariah Smith, a native of the same state, was a farmer, until ill 
health compelled him to abandon the farm. He accordingly entered the 
merchant tailoring business, which he followed until his death in 1862. 
He was married to Miss Lydia A. Johnson, a native of New Jersey , and 
three children were born to them, of whom the subject of this sketch was 
the second. After the death of her hu-band Mrs. Smith was married to 
Mr. Nical Graham, and is still living. 

Early in life our subject started out to face the realities of ]ife. He 
first learned the printers trade and worked for four years in the office of the 
Hunterdon County Republican. This business did not offer the oppor- 
tunity that he wished and, in 1877, he came to Kansas City, Missouri, and 
after trying in vain to get a position that would aid him in his ambition he 
accepted a position with BuUene, Moore & Emery, (now Emery, Bird. 
Thayer & Co.), one of the large department stores of that city. This place 
he soon left for a better one with G. V. Smith & Co., and two years later 
entered the wholesale house of Tootle, Hanna & Company, where he re- 
mained for five years. His careful attention to business and his natural 
aptitude for the work soon gained him the esteem and confidence of his 
employers and he was advanced rapidly. His work in Kansas City came 
at a time when real estate was advancing enormously in tlxat city and Mr. 
Smith took advantage of the opportunity thus offered to invest his savings 
in that channel. As soon as his investment showed a fair profit he .sold, 
and by this method succeeded in adding materially to his savings. In 
i,HS4 'he formed a partnership with J. F. Cooper and together they estab- 
lished a clothing store at Cherryvale, Kansas. One year later Mr. Smith 
purchased the interest of his partner and moved the stock to Humboldt. 
Here he has built up a business second to none in the southwest. Carry- 
ing a large stock, carefully selected, a shrewd and judicious buyer, he has 
been able to attract trade from territory not strictly tributary to him. The 
years he spent with the large stores in Kansas City brought him an ex- 
perience that he has been able to turn to golden account in the conduct of 
his own business. 

Mr. Smith has alwavs been active in all measures taken for the up- 
building of Humboldt and is now a large stock holder in the Humboldt 
Brick Manufacturing Company. He has always been an active Republi- 



WOODSON COCNTIES, KANSAS. 297 

can and has taken a warm interest in the success of his party. Personally 
he has had no desire for office and his business has always occupied his 
entire time. He has served as Treasurer of the City of Humboldt for sev- 
eral years and is a member of the Knight Templars and other secret 
societies. 



T TENRY EBERT. — One of the respected citizens and prosperous 
-*- -*■ farmers of Allen county is Henry Ebert, who was born in Germany, 
on the 28th of January, 1839. His father, Frederick Ebert, was also a 
native of the same country and was there married to Amelie Snyder, whose 
birth occurred in that land. In 1S49 they bade adieu to home and friends 
and with their family came to the new world, locating in Ohio. The 
father was a contractor and for a time was identified with business interests 
in Cincinnati, but subsequently removed to Illinois, making his home 
upon a farm there from 1857 until 1871, when he died at the age of sixty- 
five years. His wife, who was born in 1808, died in 1882, at the age of 
seventy-four years. They were the parents of two children, Augusta and 
Henry. The former married Albert Martin and is living in Decatur, 
Illinois. 

Henry Ebert spent the first ten years of his life in the fatherland and 
then came with his parents to America. He learned the brass molder's 
trade and followed that occupation in Cincinnati until the removal of the 
family to Illinois. At the time of the Civil wai and in response to the 
country's call for aid, he enlisted on the 15th of August, 1862, as a member 
of Company I, One Hundred and .Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, with which 
he served until honorably discharged at the close of the war. Hepartici-. 
pated in all the battles and engagements that his regiment had part in and 
was severely wounded at Vicksburg, May 19th, 1863, a ball shattering the 
front part of his lower jaw. In February of the same year he was pro- 
moted to the rank of sergeant of his company and after his wound has suf- 
ficiently healed he returned to his regiment, October 21st, 1863. When 
hostilities had ceased he received an honorable discharge and with a credit- 
able military record returned to his Illinois home. 

In 1882 Mr. Ebert came to Kansas and located on the farm which is 
still his home. It is the "Cottage Corner" farm and is locted in the 
southwest corner of Allen count}^ In his agricultural pursuits he has been 
successful and now owns a valuable and attractive property, its richly cul- 
tivated fields indicating his careful supervision and enterprising spirit. He 
has also engaged in stock raising, which has been a profitable source of 
income to him, and today he is the possessor of a comfortable competence 
and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of the community. 

Mr. Ebert has been twice married. While in Illinois lie wedded Miss 
Ellen S. Neyhard, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and unto them were 
born five children: Alvin H., who is residing in Rosedale, Kansas; Irvin 



29S HISTORY (II' AI.LKN AND 

who is engaged in the phiniljing and gas-fitting business in Chanute. Kan- 
sas; William A. , wlio enlisted in Company F, Twentieth Kansas \'olun- 
teers, and went to Manila where he was very severely wounded in an en- 
gagenieiil. He was discharged in Manila, and is still in that city: Anna 
A. and Richard botii died in infancy. The mother died September 24th, 
I1S79 in Illinois. Mr. Ebert was again married, his second union being with 
Ellen Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Peter H. Shaffer, 
who was born in the Keystone state in 1823. He married Sarah (irove, 
who died in January, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years, but Mr. Shaffer 
is yet living at the age of seventy -seven. They had two children: John, 
who is living on a farm in this locality, and Mrs. Ebert. By her former 
marriage she had one child, Frank. The children of the second marriage 
are Fred, Sadie, Hessie and Anna, all at home. The family is well 
known in the commnnitv and their friends are manv. 



JESSE BARKI-;R, foreman in the office of the Humboldt Union, was 
born in Keosanqua, Van Buren county, Iowa, July 21, 1850. His 
father, Jesse B. Barker, a native of Indiana, was married to Amelia Scott, 
a native of Missouri, who had moved with her parents to Iowa in an early 
day. The elder Mr. Barker is still living in Montana at the advanced age 
of seventy-four years. Jesse Barker is the only living child of this union. 

Mr. Barker had a common school education. At the tender age of ten 
years he began to learn the printer's trade. He worked two years and 
eight months in a printing office in his native city and then two years in 
Ottumwa, Iowa. His health failing he went to Hancock county, Illinois, 
and, learning the carpenter's trade, worked at it for several years. He 
spent a few years on a farm and, in 1SS3, came west, locating in Anderson 
.county. He was soon installed as editor of the Anderson County Demo- 
crat and for two and a half years resided in and near Garnett. An offer of 
a good position on the Humboldt Union caused him to leave Garnett in 
1886 and he came to Humboldt taking charge of the mechanical depart- 
ment of the paper. His long connection with the newspaper business has 
given him a thorough knowledge of the work and he has the confidence 
and esteem ot his employer. 

Originally a Democrat Mr. Barker found himself out of accord with 
his party in 1890 and he nllied himself with the Republicans. He has 
since been an active member of that party. 

Mr. Barker has never married, but "while there is life there is hope" 
is the old adage. He is a Mason and a member of the Order of Eastern 
Star and has tilled oflices in both lodges. 



JAMES M. WALLACE, one of the highly respected citizens of Hum- 
boldt, was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 17, 1829. His father, 
John Wallace, was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, August 3, 1800, 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 299 

and moved with his parents to Illinois when but twelve j^ears old. He 
was a wagon-maker by trade and followed that business in Illinois for 
mnnj^ years. Upon reaching manhood's estate he was married to Miss 
Minerva Myers, a native of Davis County, Kentucky. 

The schools of those days were of little consequence and the only edu- 
cation it was possible for a child to get was from the schools which were 
conducted by teachers who received their pay from the scholars who at- 
tended. T'lese schools Mr. Wallace attended and received such meager 
instruction as they afforded. When sixteen years of age he was apprenticed 
to a car])enter and served with him for four years. Two years of this time 
he worked for his board and clothes and two months schooling each year. 
The early love for the carpenter's trade has never left him and although 
most of his life has been spent on a farm he has always worked more or less 
at the trade he learned in those early days. 

October 19, 1849 he was married to Miss Mary Garver, a native of 
Pennsylvania, and to them has been born eight children. Seven of these 
children still survive: John J., David C., Emma .A. . Zigler, of Emporia: 
Charles S.; William C. ; James .\. and Mary C, all scattered about over 
Colorado, Illinois, Miisaiiri and Ka;iias. 

Mr. Wallace was living in Illinois when the war came on and although 
he had a large family he answered the call for troops, enlisting August 2, 
1862, in Company C, ii6th Illinois volunteers. He was elected a lieu 
tenant of his company and after a month's drill his regiment was sent to 
the front. They landed at Memphis, Tennessee, and were soon sent south 
to re-enforce troops that had previously been sent down into Mississippi. 
Mr. Wallace was taken sick on the march and he was sent to the hospital. 
Here he lay for a long time and when he had recovered sufficiently to 
travel he was sent back to Decatur with health shattered. Here he was 
given detached duty, enforcing the draft, arresting deserters and the like. 
This work continued until the close of the war and in 1865 he was mustered 
out. The year 1867 he came to Kansas to look up a location and finallv 
located in Humboldt. He bought a farm five miles we.^t of that city and 
returned to Illinois and brought his family out to their new home. In 
this vicinit}- he has liv^ed until the present time. He improved that farm, 
which was a wilderne.ss when he came here, until it is one of the best in 
the county. His life has been filled with hard work and in 1896 he moved 
to Humboldt, determined upon a partial rest. His activity for the good of 
the city soon brought him in contact with municipal affairs and be was 
elected Police Judge. He is now mayor of the city. 

Politically he has alwaj-s been an ardent Republican and for many 
years was an active worker in the ranks of that party. He is a member of 
the Masonic order. 



A yTRS. JEN.VIE JONES, wife, of the late A. A. Jones, was born in 
-L^-L Philadelphia, May 24, 1S51. Her father, George Marshall, was 
also a native of that city, born .\pril 27, i8-'6, and there he lived until after 



300 HISTORY OF \LI.KN AND 

he had iittaiiicd to man's estate. In early life he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed for a number of years. He married Miss Naomi 
riiompson. who was born in England in 1830, and came to America with 
her parents in 1844, being then a maiden of fourteen years. They took 
passage on a s liling vessel and encountered some very rough weather, 
sixty-six days having elapsed from the time they left the P'nglish port until 
they reached the harbor of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall were 
married on the 23rd of July, 1850, and in 1900 they celebrated their golden 
wedding. They are both well preserved people who look as if they might 
be spired for many years to come, and in that hope their friends all join. 
In 1852 Mr. Marshall removed with his family tt) Lebanon, W'arren County, 
()hio, and in 1854 journeyed still farther westward, locating at (inuidview, 
Illinois, where Mr. Marshall worked at his trade of blacksmilhing until 
1870, when he came to Allen Count*-, Kansas, and purchased a raw tract 
of prairie land six miles east of Humboldt. Not a furrow had been turned 
nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy 
he began its development and continued its cultivation fo: twenty-two 
years He and his wife then removed to Humboldt and have since resitied 
with their daughter. 

Mrs. Jones is their only child. She spent her girlhood days under the 
parental roof and on the 24th of August, 1890, became the wife of A. A. 
Jones, who was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and came to Humboldt in 
18S5. Here he built the elevator and feed mills and conducted an exten- 
sive business, buying and shipping grain of all kinds, and grinding feed. 
He was then one of Humboldt's enterprising business men, energetic, 
reliable and trustworthy, but death came to him very unexpectedly and his 
life's labors were thus ended February 27, 1893. As a citizen he was 
loyal and progressive, as a friend faithf\il and as a hu.sband and father devoted 
and tender. He left a wife and the four children of his first marriage to 
mourn his loss. These are: Harry Iv., Cora Chester, who is attending the 
State University at Lawrence, Kansas, and Ktta and Koiest, who are now 
students in the schools of Humboldt. Mrs. Jones, her parents and the 
children are all living very happily together in a pleasant residence in 
Humboldt, and she takes as great interest in rearing the children as though 
they were her own. In addition to her home in Humboldt she owns a 
good farm, and is one of the most highlv esteemed ladies of the communitv. 



^ A WILLIAM BRAUCHER, of Humboldt. Allen County, is a gentle- 
^ ' man whom the citizens of his county have delighted to honor. 
His character is a combination of traits that make true men and worthy 
citizens and his life has been an open book to the people of Allen County 
for nearly a third o( a century. Mr. Braucher was born in Tuscarawas 
County, Ohio, January 24, 1845, and is a son of a pioneer to the Buckeye 
State. The latter was Joseph Braucher. born in Pennsylvania and a .son of 



WOonSON COCXTIES, KANSAS. 30l 

Ceruiau parents whose migration to the United States occurred about the 
opening of the 19th century. 

Joseph Braucher married Julia Antoinette Hawley (Halley), a native 
of New York and of English parents. He engaged in the dry goods busi- 
jiess in early manhood and made merchandising his business through life. 
The scene of his business activity was in Ohio, and he retired -a hen the 
infirmities of age were found to be creeping upon him. He died at the age 
of eighty years. 

William Braucher attended the common schools until he was prepared 
to enter college. At si.Kteeii he became a student at Wittenbnrg Lutheran 
College and there took up the study of the orthodo.K faith. The ministry 
was his ultimate goal. For a further preparation and following a com- 
pletion of the course in the Lutheran institution he entered a military 
college in Cleveland, Ohio, and while there the war between the states was 
in progre.ss. His enlistment followed in the course of time and his regi- 
ment, the i2gth Ohio A'olunteers, saw some of the real service in that 
struggle. It aided in the capture of Cumberland Gap and then re-enforced 
General Burnside at Knoxville and aided General Sherman in releasing 
lUirnside after a twenty-five day siege. 

Upon his return from his army service Mr. Braucher went into his 
father's store and remained three years Having accumulated a small 
amount of cash in the spring of 1868 he came into Allen County. He 
purchased a farm five miles south of Humboldt and entered upon a new 
and semi-strange experience. A new farm always furnishes ample oppor- 
tunity for the display of industry and art in its improvement and in these 
elements Mr. Braucher was not lacking. His .soil was fertile and the in- 
dustry and good taste of its ovvner rapidly made the farmoneof the attractive 
country homes in his township. 

During the early years of his residence in Kansas Mr. Braucher was 
associated with G V. Smith in the dry goods business in Humboldt. Mr. 
Smith, now located in Fort Worth, Texas, was one of the prominent 
merchants of Allen County and Mr. Braucher's connection with his store 
covered a period of over five years. Later he spent two years behind the 
counters of Hysinger & Rosenthal, another firm whose history covers many 
of the early and prosperous years of Humboldt's existence. In February, 
1898, Mr. Braucher lost his wife and he rented his farm to which he had 
moved and returned to Humboldt soon thereafter. Seeing an opening he 
engaged in the furniture business but soon sold this and engaged in- the 
hardware business. 

In December, 1870, Mr. Braucher married Isabel Heath. She left three 
children, viz.: Joseph W., Edward Allen and Halley Heath Braucher. The 
first two are in Kansas City and the last named is with his father in Hum- 
boldt. In January, 1899, Mr. Braucher married Mrs. Margaret (Bragg) 
Johnson. 

In the matter of the conduct of public affairs in Allen County Mr. 
Braucher has always shown an active and intelligent interest. His rare 
judgment and his wise discrimination in matters of public polic>- make him 



^02 HISTORY <)l- AI.I.ICN AM) 

an admirable public servant. He served Cottaije Grove township in ari 
official capacity and was elected County Commissioner for a term of thiet- 
years. His political affilations are with the Republican party. 

In his business and social relations Mr. Braucher is the prototype of 
honesty and sincerity. His practice of meeting his engagements promptly 
and otherwise maintaining his good name are matters of common report. 
He is courteous and affable antl is without the objectionable qualities of 
manner too often present with the business and professional men of our day. 



WI'. McGRKW. — Among the native sons of the Sunflower slate 
• W. P. McGrew is numbered, while in the business circles of 
Humboldt he is recognized as an important factor. He was born in Doug- 
las county, Kansas, February lo, 1862. His father, William McGrew, 
was a native of Indiana and married Lucinda Dickey, who was also born 
in that state They arrived in Kansas in i860, and the following year the 
father enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of the Eleventh 
Kansas Infantry, with which he was associated until victory crowned the 
northern arms and the sound of musketry was no longer heard in the land. 
He died in 1896 at the age of fifty -six years, and his widow is now a resi- 
dent of Chetopa, Kansas 

W. P. McGrew was the second in order of birth in their family of nine 
children, and learned the plasterer's trade under the direction of his father, 
following that pursuit for about sixteen years. He then went to the In- 
dian Territory, where he worked in a cotton gin in a custom mill for some 
time, after which he returned to Chetopa, Kansas, and entered into part- 
nership with Mr. Bartlett. They purchased a flouring mill which they 
still own and operate, the plant having a capacity of thirty barrels per day. 
Wishing to enlarge their business, in 1896 they purchased the mill site in 
Humboldt and built a large flouring mill with a capacity of fifty barrels 
per day and equipped with the latest improved machinery. In February, 
1900, Mr. McGrew came to Humboldt to supeivise and conduct the intei- 
ests of the firm at this place. 

In 1893 was celebrated his marriage to Miss Cora Orm, a native of 
Labette county, Kansas, and a daughter of Robert Orm. They have two 
children. Marguerite and Elinor. Already they have gained warm friends 
in Humboldt and enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes here. 
Socially Mr. McGrew is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America 
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat. He had no special educational advantages and was without the 
a.ssistance of influential friends in his early business career, but steadily he 
has advanced step by step until he now occupies a creditable position on 
the plane of affluence. 



-WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 305 

GEORGE W. HESS, well known and highly esteemed in Humboldt, 
and one of the recent additions to her citizenship, was born in Canton. 
Ohio, July 27, 183H. His father. Christian Hess, was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, and came to America with his parents when seventeen years of 
age. He was married to Barbara Shutt in Canton, Ohio, a lady born on 
ihe line between Germany and France. Christian Hess followed shoe- 
making and died in December in the year 1861, ao;ed forty-eight years. 
His wife died in 1891 at the age of seventy years. Six of their children 
survive: Mary, wife of J. B. McBroom, resides in Defiance. Ohio; John 
Hess, of Defiance, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Joseph Blanchard, of Defiance: 
Frances, wife of W. St. Amont, of Defiance; Rosella B. Hess, of Defiance, 
Ohio, and G. W., of Humboldt. 

For a number of years Mr. He.ss was in the grocery business in Defi- 
ance, Ohio. While there he married Frances Kestler, born in Henry 
county, Ohio, and a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Fonder) Kestler, 
both German born. Mrs. Hess was born Februarv 19, 1844, and was one 
of five children, viz: Elizabeth P. Sterns, of Belphis, Ohio; Adam Kestler 
of Nevada, Missouri; Maigaret, wife of John Schwartz, of Defiance; Mary, 
wife of John Bohman, of Ludlow Grove, Ohio, and Mrs. Hess. 

Mr. Hess came to Kansas in the spring of 1872 and took a claim in 
Butler county. At that time there were plentj^ of indolent and loafing In- 
dians in the county and they made regular pilgrimages about the country 
begging flour (not corn meal) and meat and in this way provided largelr 
for their physical needs. In 18S4 Mr. Hess sold his Butler county farm 
and moved into Allen county. He purchased a small farm joining the 
townsite of Humboldt and has builded up one of the beautiful and attract- 
ive country homes of the township. He devotes his time to the growing 
of fruit and "small farming," generally and everything is kept in perfect 
order. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hess' family of nine sons is one of the remarkable cir- 
cumstances of their lives. Thev are Frank E., of lola, Kansas; Joseph F. , 
of Humboldt, Kansas; Charles A. and William A., of Humboldt, of the 
Hess Drug Company, (the latter is married to Maggie Heim) ; George J. , 
of Telluride, Colorado; Henry J., of lola; Frederick A., Walter I. and 
Lewis B. are at home. 

Mr. Hess has demonstrated his business success as a citizen. He has 
reared his large family, educated them liberally and has amassed a com- 
petence sufficient to provide him against want in his decline. He has not 
preached politics nor entered into serious advocacy of the cause of any 
local politician but he does vote and, in national affairs, the Democratic 
ticket. 



JOHN W. SAVAGE, of Humboldt, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
^ October 25, 1842. He is a son of Charles Savage. and Nancy Smith, 
the former of Geneseo county. New York, and the latter of Canada. The 



304 HISTORY OF ALLKN AXU 

parents emigrated to Milwaukee where the father was connected with tht 
city's affairs, as an official for some years. The mother died in 1844 and 
the father two years later. They left several children four of whom sur- 
vive, vi/.: Mary A., Ruth E. and James t^., all residents of Great Bend, 
Kansas, and John W., our subject. 

Mr. .Savage was sent to New York upon the death of his parents and 
grew up in the comprany of his relatives. He was educated in the common 
schools and, when the war began, enlisted in Company H, Second New 
York Infantry. He spent two years in that regiment and then enlisted in 
the Tvventy-fir.st New York Cavalry and served about two years in that 
command. He saw the war from first to Isst and was in many of its fiercest 
engagements He was in the seven days fight on the Peninsula, the bat- 
tles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the second battle of Bull Run, 
went through the campaign in the Shenandoah and was wounded on the 
22nd of November, 1864, in the battle of Rhoads Hill. After the war he 
volunteered for service in the regular army and served thirteen months 
longer. He was discharged for disability. 

In rSjo Mr. Savage moved to Illinois and was a resident of Lake 
county, that state, till 1.S77 when he came to Kansas. He settled first in 
Barton county, Kansas, and remained in the wheat belt seven years. In 
1S84 he came to Allen county and took up his residence in Humboldt. 

Mr. Savage was married March 25, 1872, to Catherine Miller. She 
died February 8, 1897, leaving two children, Charles and Lizzie Savage. 
Februarv 4, 1900, Mr. Savage was married to Ida M. Wilson, a Georgia 
lady. 

In business circles Mr. Savage devotes liis time to real estate and the 
e.xecution of legal papers. He is serving Humboldt as Police Judge to 
which the people have chosen him. For fifteen years he has been Post 
.Adjutant of Vicksburg Post Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Demo- 
crat, is a lover of his country and of the flag he helped defend. He served 
one vear as Po.st Commander. 



ADDKSON SLEETH— The forefathers of the subject of this review 
were among the pioneers to America. They settled in the colony 
cjf Virginia, and did their share in the establishment of a civilization, the 
highest and most progressing and enduring of the age. The paternal 
great grandfather of our subject, like most of the other colonists, had been 
taught to love liberty and justice, and when British tyranny and British 
encroachment became unbearable, and the colonies said they were, 
"and of right ought to be free and independent states," he enlisted in a 
\'irginia regiment and served seven full years as ensign in our struggle for 
independence. 

About the first of the 19th century a son of this soldier of "The Ameri- 
can Revolution" settled in Ohio, where John Sleeth, our subject's father, 



WOOUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 305 

was born. When he was six j-ears old the family again moved west, locat- 
ing in Shelby County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood and married 
Rebecca Talbert, who was born in North Carolina and came with her 
parents to Indiana when a child. They were tillers of the soil, and brought 
up their children in the paths of sobriety and industry. Their children 
were seven in number and Addison, their second son, was born April 29. 
1842. The mother died in Shelby County, Indiana, in 1S83 at the age of 
sixty-five years, and the father died in 1889 at the age of seventy-four 
years. Their three sons and four daughters survive them and are still 
living. 

Addison Sleeth spent his youth on a farm, attending the country 
schools during the fall and winter months, till he was eighteen y-ears of 
age. Desiring the advantages of a higher education, he entered Asbury 
University at Greencastle, Indiana, but had been a student only a year 
when the vSouthern Rebellion threatened to overthrow the government. 
He enlisted in Company G, 52nd Indiana Volunteers, on the 28th of 
October, 1861, for three years. He then veteranized and .served till the 
war closed. The regiment participated in a number of battles and 
skirmishes, beginning with the capture of Fort Donelson, in February, 
1862, and ending with the capture of Mobile, in April, 1865. As a member 
of the regiment he traveled ten thousand miles during its forty-three 
months active service in the field. September loth, 1865, his regiment 
was mustered out of the service at Montgometj', Alabama. The war over, 
Mr Sleeth returned home and engaged in farming and teaching. He was 
married August 11, 1868, to Margaret Joyce and became a citizen of Allen 
County, Kansas, in the year 1S74. In 1877 Mrs. Sleeth died leaving two 
children, Grace G. and John J. Sleeth. Both are well educated, the 
former having pursued some of the higher branches of learning, and the 
latter having completed a course in the Humboldt high school. 

In 1878 Mr. Sleeth married his present wife, Phebe C, a daughter of 
S. M. and L. A. Partlow. 

As a citizen of Kansas Mr. Sleeth is thoroughl}^ representative and 
honorable. He goes through life without interference with the affairs of 
others and for thirty years has maintained himself blameless in the estima- 
tion of his fellow countrymen. In politics he is Republican and is a frequent 
attendant of county conventions in a delegate capacity. 



up H. LEITZBACH was boin in Litchfield County, Connecticut, 
-•——'• August 6, 1864. His father, N. Leitzbach, a native of Germany, 
emigrated to America in 1857. His mother, also a native of Germany, 
makes his descent distinctly German. Mrs. Leitzbach's maiden name was 
Esslinger. Three children were born to them: Anna, Augustus, a prac- 
ticing physician in Fairmount, Illinois, and the subject of this, sketch. The 
elder Leitzbach was a cabinet maker by trade and followed this business for 
many j-ears in his New England home. 

E. H. Leitzbach attended the schools of his native city and when old 



31)6 HISTOKV (5F AI.I.KN AX I) 

eiiougli entered the high school where he completed his education. Alter 
graduation at Winstead, Connecticut, he entered a furniture store where he 
thoroughly learned the business. Here he worked for three years and. in 
rSS5, he came to Kansas. Purchasing a half interest in the Utterson & 
McLeod stock of furniture, he began a business which he has since 
conducted with signal ability and success. Three years after beginning 
business in Humboldt he purchased the remaining interest in the firm and 
has since conducted it alone. His thorough knowledge of the business and 
his untiring industry have comViined to build up a business which is one of 
the largest of its kind iir this part of the State. He is very popular with 
the people in the county aiid has always had the rejnitalion of dealing with 
them in the fairest manner. 

Mr. Leitzbach wms married to Miss Ona Cox. of Elsiuore, Kansas, in 
[S99, and their's is one of the handsomest homes in the county. Mrs. 
Leitzbach is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Co.k, of Elsmore. and is a 
native of Allen County. 

Politically Mr. Leitzbach is a Republican and has always been an 
active worker for party success. He has served two terms on the city 
council of Humboldt. 



OSCAR C. BRETT — One of the most prominent business men of Allen 
County is Oscar C. Brett, of Humboldt. From a modest beginning 
he has built one of the largest and most prosperous mercantile businesses 
in the county. Twelve years ago he purchased a small stock of goods in 
Humboldt. In order to do this he was compelled to borrow $200. To the 
building up of this business he gave his entire time and the most patient 
industry. Gradually he saw his little business grow. Soon he was able to 
repay the borrowed money and add materially to the small stock. As his 
trade grew the slock gre.v. Soon he was able to occupy a larger store 
than the one in which he began business. A few years more found one 
store room too small for the needs of the establishment and an adjoining 
room was added. Today both rooms are filled with goods and his trade 
has reached proportions seldom attained in the smaller towns. His success 
has been largely due to industry, but to this he has added a ripe judgment 
and correct business methods. 

Mr. Brett was born in Macon County, Illinois, April 29, 1S63. His 
f ither was born in Virginia in 1S22 and came to Illinois when but a child. 
Settling on a farm he followed that business the rest of his life. He was 
married to Miss Martha Co.x and to them were born seven children, of whom 
James, Oscar, Grant, -Otto, Julia and Grace still survive. The subject of 
this sketch was able to secure little .schooling but the little he had was well 
learned. Until he was twenty-one j-ears old he worked on tlie farm with 
his father. Coming to Humboldt he entered the large store of S. A. 
Brown & Co., where he worked for a year and a half. When the company 



WOonSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 307 

burned out and discontinued business he went to Kansas City where he 
secured a place in the Boston Dry Goods Co. 's store and there he remained 
a year. City life was not to his taste and he moved back to Humboldt and 
engaged in farming. A single year sufficed in this business and he again 
moved into town and established himself in a small Racket business on the 
north side of the square. From this small beginning he has grown into 
his present immense establishment. While living in Kansas City Mr. 
Brett was married to Miss Jennie McKnight, a resident of Humboldt. One 
child, a girl. Hazel, eight years old, was the result of this union. 

Mr. Brett has always taken an active interest in politics and has con- 
tributed much toward the election of Republican candidates. Never an 
office seeker he has filled many positions under the city government of 
Humboldt and has been identified with every effort to aid the town and 
country. He is a member of the Masons, M. \V. of A. and has filled 
different offices in each lodsre. 



TAMES PEERY. — When .Samuel Peery came to Vigo county. Indiana, 
*-* in 1776, the country was a wilderness. The French colony which had 
settled there had few members but these were hardy pioneers and the soli- 
tude of the forest and inhospitible character of the savages did not deter 
them from founding a colony that eventually brought civilization to the 
country and cultivation to the soil. In this state four generations of Peerys 
were born. 

George W. Peery, born in Marion county, Indiana, was married to 
.Miss Margaret A. Myers, and to them ten children were born. In i,S69 he 
moved with his family to Allen county, Kansas, where he died in 1891, 
followed in 1897 by his wife. 

In 1868 James Peer\', the subject of this sketch, born in Monroe 
county, Indiana, April lo, 1843, came to Kansas, settling in Jacksonville, 
Crawford county. Here he lived for five years, moved thence to Labette 
county and after a few years there removed to Missouri. In 1882 he re- 
turned to Kansas this time settling in Humboldt where he has since made 
his home. When he came to Humboldt he entered the mercantile busi- 
ness and has been engaged in some branch of that business since. He is 
one of the most extensive broom corn buyers and shippers in this part of 
the state and gives it his chief attention. He has been eminently success- 
ful in the business and has built up a large and lucrative trade. 

Mr. Peer\'s early life was spent on the farm on which he was born. 
He lived with his father, getting such education as the limited facilities of 
that day and region afforded and when the war came on he enlisted in the 
Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteers and served throughout the war. His 
regiment participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war and 
he looks back over those days with great pride. He was in the battles of 
Corinth, Nashville. Perryville, .Stone River and Murfeesborough. He was 



^OS inSTOKV Ol Ml. I.N AM) 

vvomuk-il ;il l.ibiily O.ip, TcinK's-^vo. in ouo of the mniK-rous eugajicniciits 
ot lii.s lOf^inKMU. Ho was invaliileil the latter part ot his service ami was 
uuislereil out near the close ot the war. Returning to his home he was 
mariieil October Jo, 18(14, to Miss Carrie Antliony, ol Paris, Illinois, anil 
to them have been born ten chiKlren, four ol wluun are still living: George 
H., Maggie, M.ibel and liverett. 

Mr. reer\- has alw.iys been a prominent Republican ami has been 
several times iuuioreil by his party with important offices. During his 
resilience in Crawford county he was elected County Commissioner and 
Trustee o( his township, and he has tilled the office of Justice of the Peace 
in Humboldt. In iS>.h) he was elected Mayor of IhunboUlt. 



JOHN M. ASHHKCH^K. was bom in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 
26th of July, 1851.). His father, Absalom Ash brook, was a native of 
Penn.sylv.iuiit and during his boyhood renioved to Ohio with his parents. 
His second wife was Mrs. h'ranccs (W'esenhonvcr) Hrinker, a native of the 
lUickeye state, and in iS;^ he died, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving 
his wife and son, the subject of this review. In 1865 they came to Kansas, 
locating upon the farm to which Mr. Ashbrook has since devoted his 
energies, making it one of the valuable properties in Logan township. 

In the spring of 1884 he was united in marriage to Mi.ss Li/./ic Defen- 
baugli, a native of Ohio and a daughter ot Henry Defenbaugh. During 
her early girlhood Mrs. Ashbrook's parents removed to Illinois. Her 
mother died in 1900 at the age of si\ty-six years, but her father is still 
living at the age of seventy-three years. 

When Mr. Ashbrook came to Kansas with his mother he purcha.sed one 
liundred .tnd sixty-six acres of laud which his industry has improved until 
it h.is re.ichcd a state of con\mend.d>lc ikvelopnicnt. In all his work he 
has been successful and ranks among the progressive farmers of the county. 

In his political aftiliations Mr. Ashbrook is a Republican and has l>een 
honored with local posit^ions of public trust. He has served as town.ship 
trustee and f(.<r several years has been treasurer of his township. Socially 
he is a Workman, having tilled a chair in the lodge. He belongs to the 
cla.ss of enterprising .Americans who .ilways constitute the substantial ele 
metit in our population. 



ANDRICW WICDIN has resided in Allen county for thirty years and is 
one of the leading grocers of Humboldt. He was born in Sweden on 
the 5th of Kebruary, 1847, and is a son of Gustavus Weilin. also a native 
of that country, in which land he spent his entire life. His business was 
th.it of hotel keeping. He mairied Miss Charena Jones, and they became 



WiHM>SON COrNlMlCS. KANSAS. _;0») 

the ii.iiciu> ol SIX oliililion, live ol whom aro now living, three being losi- 
deiits ol America, namelv: IVter, a resitleiU tanner ot .-Mien eimiit\; Ivva 
Jarel, ot Illinois, ami Anilrew. The lather ilied in iS.So, at the age ol 
seventy-three years, while the mother p.issed away in i.s.s^), at the age ol 
seventy-nine years. 

Andrew W'odin pm-sneil his education in Sweden, attending the com- 
mon .schools and si>ending one term in a college there. He came to Amer- 
ica in iSfii), l.mding in New York on the loth of .-Vpril, when twentv -two 
years ot age. Alter one year spent in Chicago, Illinois, and a short time 
l>as.sed in Iowa, he arriveil in llnmholdt in the lall ot 1S.70, and with char 
acteristic energy began life in the west. America offers a broad tieUl to 
ambitions and energetic young lueti, anil Mr. Weilin soon took his place 
among the leading business men of his comnmnity. He has been connected 
with the grocery trade since iS,s_^, in which year he eiUereil into partner 
ship with F. W. Frevert. That connection was m.\intained lt)r three years, 
when Mr. W'ediu .sold his interest to his partner and established an inde 
pendent grocery and provision store in which he has since conducted a 
l.irge and con.stantly growing traile, his business annually anmunting to 
from sixteen to eighteen thousand tlollars. He also owns a farm a few 
miles west i>f Humboldt. 

Mr. W'edin w.is united in marriage to Miss May Johnson, a native (4 
Sweden, who came to .-Vmerica in 187.'. They had two children but both 
are now deceased. Our subject exercises his right of franchise in support 
of Republican principles, but otherwise takes no active interest in politics. 
He belongs tv> the Masonic tr.iternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge, and in 
the latter h.is lilleil all the otlices and .set ved as representative to the grand 
lodge. He is deeply interested in evet;ything pertaining to the welfare ot 
liis connuunity and has ever cheerfully given his support to those enter 
prises that tend to public develoinuent. His tiame is synonymmis with 
honorable dealing, and he has probably m>t an enemy in Allen county, for 
he is ever straighlKM w.ird in commercial transactions and is most reliable 
and faithlnl in his friendships. 



■ppi.XATllAX \. Wl'RT. ol IlnmboKit, was born in Cincinnati, (^lii.>, 
-'— -^ on the -Mth ol J.inn.iry, ^,S,^), ,ind was the third child born unto 
Richard IX and Amanda Wert. His lather was born in Oermany, March 
10, iSio, and with his parents came to America in 1S13, landing at Jersey 
City, residing there two vears anil snbsenuently removing to Cincinnnti. 
In early life he learned the coopei's trade, but afterward engaged in farm- 
ing. In iS,^o he married Miss .\mand,i Compton, a native of Ohio, and 
removed to Indiana, .securing a honiestc.id near Crinvfordsville, where he 
made his home until his death, which occurred in iSi),v His wife passed 
away in Junnary, iSt>5. They h.id six sons and six daughters, all of whom 
re, idled years of maturity. 

Iv. N. Wert spent his \onth in Monl;;omer\ oounty, Indi.m.i, where he 



3IO HISTOKV i)r ALLXN ANTI 

attended the common schools, after which he spent two years in Waba-^h 
College of that state. When the war broke out he enlisted in 1861 for 
three months' service as a member of Company B, Tenth Imiiana Infantry, 
and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. When his term had ex- 
pired he received an honorable di.scharge, but re-enli.sted for one year's 
service in Company B, Sixty third Indiana Infantry. He was detailed for 
duly in the .secret service and received a lieutenant's pay. On the ist of 
Septembet, 1863, he resigned, but soon afterward was appointed recruiting 
officer and recruited sixty-four men, with whom he joined Company B, 
One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry, being assigned to the pasi- 
lion of corporal. Successive promotions came to him as orderly sergeant, 
second and first lieutenant, and he was detailed to act as General Cox's 
body guard with the Third Division and Twenty-third Army Corps, thus 
.serving until November 30, 1865, when he was discharged under general 
orders at David Island in New York harbor. He was ever a loyal soldier, 
true to the stars and stripes, but when the country no longer needed his 
services he gladly returned to his home and family. 

Mr. Wert was married on the 22nd of January, i860, to Elizabeth 
Copner, a native of Indiana. Aftei following carjjentering in the Hoosier 
state until the fall of 1867, he brought his family to Kansas, arriving in 
Humboldt on the 22nd of October. Here he secured a clerkship in the 
ITnitcd Slates land office, under Colonel Goss, with whom he worked for 
three months. He then secured a homestead three miles north-east of 
Humboldr. residing thereon until December, 1869, when he returned to 
the city and entered into partnership with Messrs. Gilbert and Suits in the 
law and real estate business. This connection was maintained until 1873. 
when Mr. Wert sold out and becims traveling salesman for the Singer 
Sc'wing Machine Company, which he represented on the road for ten years. 
He went into the livery business in Humboldt and traded his livery stock 
for a Woodson county farm which he moved to and operated some years. 
On selling that property he becune owner of eight hundred acres in Gove 
county, Kansas, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising for 
four years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his land, pur- 
chased property in Humboldt and has since made his home in this city. 

On the i6th of August, 1S69, he was called upon to mourn the lo>s of 
his wife, who died leaving three children, but William and James are 
now deceased. Xettie, the only surviving child is the wife of John Dorn- 
burg, of Allen county. For his second wife he chose Frances E. Scan- 
Ion, their marriage being celebrated September 19, 1878. 

Mr. Wert has always been an active worker in the Republican party 
since attaining his majority. He was deputy sheriff for four years, filled 
the office of ju.stice of the peace, and in both positions discharged his duties 
ill a very commendable manner. He is a valued member of the Odd 
Fellows Lodge of Humboldt, in which he has filled all the chairs. He 
also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and was a delegate to the 
national encampments in .San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio. In his early 
life he twice sailed round Cape Horn as a cabin boy, the voyage, in those 



■WTJODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3II 

\ia\s of primitive navigation, consuming six months. He lias visited every 
state and territory of the Union, gaining that experience and knowledge 
which only travel can bring. His has been an active, useful and honor- 
able life and now he is enjoying a well-earned retirement from labor, occu- 
pying a pleasant home in Humboldt, where he has the warm regard of a 
large circle of friends. 



T A /"ILLIAM J. CAMPBELL— In reverting to the settlers of the olden 
" ^ time who bared the breast and braved the storms of adversitj' in 
order that tb.ere might be a community of enlightened citizens instead of a 
camp of government wards, our minds cling to the memory of those along 
the Neosho River, where the very first settlements were made. Conspicu- 
ousamong them was a young Kentuckian, full of life and hope and young in 
years, who wandered into Allen County as early as 1855. That date was 
almost, if not quite, the beginning of the era of white settlement in the 
county. There was then no Humboldt, no lola, a trading post, perhaps, 
at Cofachique and a military post at Ft. Scott. At that time the Red Man 
roamed the prairie and forest at will and thought little of the encroachment 
of his pale-faced brother. Our Kentucky pioneer dropped down upon a 
piece of land three miles southwest of Humboldt in the midst of a band of 
Indians. At first they swarmed about him thick out of curiosity and a de- 
sire to learn his intentions. Being convinced that his mission was a friend- 
ly one they became his fast friends and would have protected him with 
their lives. In this community and upon this claim did our subject, the 
late William J. Campbell remain till death. 

We have refeired to Mr. Campbell as a Kentuckian for the reason that 
his birth occurred in the vState of Daniel Boone. He was born in Hopkins 
County, March 11, 1833. He was a son of William Campbell, a native of 
the State of Kentucky and was the youngest of six children. His educa- 
tion amounted to but the rudiments of English and his life till his emigra- 
tion westward was passed as a farm hand. It will be noticed that on com- 
ing of age he left his native State and went into Missouri, stopping 
near Mt. \'ernon, Lawrence Count}'. He remained there one year and 
continued his journey to Kansas. Alex. H. Brown, of lola, is the only 
other .settler, now in the count}-, who came the same year. Mr. Campbell 
was two years in advance of mcst of the Humboldt pioneers and his 
life spanned a period of two generations of western settlement and 
development. 

February 29, 1856. Mr. Campbell returned to Missouri and was married 
to Caroline Bashaw, a daughter of Thomas Bashaw, and a lady born in 
Caldwell County, Kentuckj-, August 27, 1840. The husband and child 
wife returned to his new possessions along the Neosho, in the wilds of 
Kansas, and settled down to the task of clearing up and improving their 
home. For two years during the period of the Rebellion Mr. Campbell was 



^r3 inSTOKV OF \LLF.N AXD 

away from his farm and residing iti Nebraska. While away he was engaged 
in freighting across the phiiiis to Colorado, carrying supplies and jirovision.s 
to Denver. Returning to Allen County in 1865 he took permanent posses- 
sion of his farm. Raising grain and hogs and horses was his chief busi- 
ness. A good horse was an object of adoration with him and he always 
owned them. Industry and steadiness were traits which characterized his 
every day life and in consequence his accumulations were certain and con- 
tinuous. He made his family comfortable while he lived and left them so 
at his death. He was devoted to his wife and children and their joys and 
sorrows were his own. He reared his children to habits of industry and to 
become persons of honesty and integrity. He enjox ed the society of his 
neighbors and friends and his hospitality was proverbial and unbounded. 
He took little interest in affairs not connected with his personal or family 
welfare and to talk and vote was as far as his interest extended in public 
matters. He was a Democrat of the old school and hewed to the line in 
State and National politics. 

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell's surviving children are: Sarah J., widow of 
Archibald D. Young, whose two children are George W. and Gracie May; 
Mary E. Campbell; Lucretia (Campbell) Cox, wife of John F. Cox. a pop- 
ular clothier of Cherryvale, Kansas; and James Campbell, whose wife, nee 
Minnie Ladd, died F'ebruary 27, 1900, leaving two children, Olive Blanche 
and Ralph Augustus 

William J. Campbell was a strong robust man till late in life. A can- 
cerous trouble developed some years ago and grew slowly but surely, 
sapping his vitality at every turn and baflling the skill of the medical 
fraternity in their efforts to destroy it. The end came on March 10, 1900, 
and a good and true man passed to his reward. 



"V A WILLIAM H. ANDREWS— There is, in the anxious and laborious 
^ ' struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career of the 
business or professional man fighting the every-day battle of life, but little 
to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter, but for a mind 
thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there 
are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man, who, without other 
means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity, 
and toiling on through the worka-day years of a long career finds that he 
has not only won a comfortable competence, but also something far greater 
and higher. — the deserved respect and e.'^teem of these with whom his years 
of active life placed him in contact. 

Such a man and one of the leading citizens of Humboldt is William H. 
Andrews, who was born on Long Island, in Queens County, New York, on 
the 19th of September, 1829. His father, James Andrews, was also a 
native of Long Island and was there married to Miss Hulda Jackson, a 
native of the same locality. The former died in September, 1S56, atthe 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3 1 ^ 

age of fifty-six years, but the mother long survived him, passing awav in 
1896 at the extreme old age of ninety-six years. They were the parents of 
seven children, all of whom are yet living namely: Mrs. Margaret Bislev. 
of New York; Isaac R., who is living in Virginia; Mrs. Jane Alger, of Xew 
York, w'lose husband laid out Alger's addition to the city of Humboldt; 
William H., of this review; Lucj', who is living in Pennsylvania; James, -i 
resident of Long Island; and Mrs. Sarah Merritt, who is also living on 
Long Island. 

William H. Andrews spent the days of his boyhood and youth under 
the parental roof and mastered the branches of learning taught in the 
common schools. When nineteen years of age he began to learn the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed in the Empire State until 1852 when 
he removed to Ohio, there following the same pursuit until after hostilities 
were inaugurated between the North and the South. A loyal advocate of 
the Union cause, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Nineteenth Ohio 
Infantry, and was afterward promoted' sergeant of his company. He 
experienced many of the hardships of war, having participated in numerous 
skirmishes and several of the most hotly contested battles, including the 
engagements at Shiloh, Crab Orchard, Chicamauga and Mission Ridge. 
He was never captured or wounded but had many narrow escapes for he 
was always found at his post of duty, which frequenth' led him into the 
thickest of the fight. He received an honorable discharge, at Marietta, 
Georgia, October 17, 1865, for the flag of the nation had been planted in 
the capital of the Confederacy and the services of the loyal Union soldiers 
were no longer needed. 

Mr. Andrews returned to his home in Ohio, but in April, 1866, came 
to Humboldt, Kansas, and has since been actively identified with its inter- 
ests alon^ many lines which have contributed to the public good. His 
fellow^ townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called 
him to public office, and he has filled various positions of trust. He has 
been police judge, was justice of the peace for several years and has been 
trustee of his township for twelve years. He has always retired from office 
as he has entered it — with the confidence and good will of the public. 
Whenever nominated, election has been accorded him and although he has 
always been a Democrat he has many friends in Republican ranks who 
give him their support. 

In 1854 Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Redfield, 
of Ohio, who has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the 
journey of life. They have two sons: James H., who is now one of the 
leading musicians of Kansas City, and Oriti S , who is a member of a New 
York City orchestra. The sons have exceptional musical talent, which, 
having been cultivated, has placed them in prominent positions in musical 
circles. Socially Mr. Andrews is a man of genial nature and one who is 
most appreciative of the amenities which go to make up the sum of human 
happiness. He has therefore identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, 
belonging to the Blue lodge, the Chapter and Commatidery and he has 
filled one of the chairs in the Grand Chapter of the State. He is a valued 



314 HISTORY OF VLLEN ANI> 

member of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant 
relationships with his comrades of the blue. He has been (luartermaster 
of \'icksburg Post, Xo. 72 for a number of j-ears He is now sevent>-one 
years of age, but still manifests a commendable interest in public affairs 
and is recognized as an esteemed citizen and honored pioneer of Humboldt. 



MRS. CiajA H. .STEKL.MAX is a native of the Empire State, her 
birth having occurred at Gloversville, New York, on the 28th of 
September, 1846. She is a daughter of Abraham Gulick, who was born in 
Xew York, in 18 14, and was married on the 25th of November, 1841, to 
Miss Maria Mitchell, whose birth occurred July 2nd, 1816. Their union 
was blessed with three children, but only two survive, namely: Mrs. Steel- 
man and Andrew. The latter was born July 12, 1844, and is now living 
with his sister. Mr. and Mrs. Gulick became residents of Kansas in 1880. 

In the State of her nativity Celia H. Gulick spent her girlhood days 
in acquiring her education in the public schools. In i86g she gave her 
hand in marriage to J. F. Wing, who was also born in New York, in which 
State they began their domestic life. They removed to Minnesota, where 
they remained for three years, and in 1874 they came to Kansas, locating 
in the northern part of Allen County where Mr. Wing purchased a large 
farm. They remained upon the farm for three years, and then took up 
their abode in lola, which was their place of residence for about eight 
years, when their home was given in exchange for Humboldt property. 
In 188S they located in the latter city and Mr. Wing purchased business 
property there. He was identified with the business interests of the place 
until 1S90, when his life's labors were ended in death, he being then fifty- 
seven years of age. Mrs. Wing remained a widow for two years and in 
1892 was married to David Steelman. Theirs was a short but happy 
married life, terminated by the death of Mr. Steelman in i8g6, when he 
was seventy-seven \ ears of age. 

Mrs. Steelman and her brother now reside in her pleasant home in 
Humboldt. She owns two nice residences in the best portion of the city 
and has other property which yields to her a good income. In no field of 
endeavor requiring intellectuality has womati failed to demonstrate her 
equality with man. and her business and executive powers, when brought 
to a practical test, are found equal to his. Mrs. Steelman show.-; decided 
ability in the care and supervision of her property interests. For twenty- 
seven years she has been a resident of Allen County and is now widely 
known in this portion of the State, where her estimable characteristics 
have gained for her the sincere friendship of tho.se with whom she has been 
associated 



WOOIJ.SON i;oUNTIKS, KANSAS. 315 

JAMES T. TREDWAY— While the race is not alwa3-s to the swift iior 
the battle to the strong, tireless energy, resolute purpose and sound 
judgment never fail to gain success, and though Mr. Tredway spent his 
youth amid rather unfavoring circumstances and has had to depend entire- 
ly upon his own labors, he has risen to a position of affluence and is classed 
among the substantial citizens of Allen County. He was born in Hamilton 
County, Ohio, April 10, 1849, and is of English lineage. His parents, 
however, were natives of Maryland, and were married in Wheeling. West 
Virginia. The father died when James was only two years old. The sur- 
viving members of the family are: Mrs. Olivia B. Littell, whose husband 
was a captain in the Civil war and later was captain of police in Cincinnati; 
Thomas Albert, who is married and lives with his family in Kentucky; 
John W., who is general manager in the offices of theSelmer Hess Publish- 
ing House, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; James T.; and Almira E. Nes- 
bitt who resides at the old home. Of the sons, Thomas served as one of the 
boys in blue in the war of the Rebellion. 

At the father's death the mother was left to caie for her six small chil- 
dren, but she nobly took up the work and ably prepared them for the practical 
and responsible duties of life. She gave them good educational privileges, 
and after attending the common schools James T. Tredway continued his 
studies in Clermont Academy in Ohio. When still young he went to Cin- 
cinnati, where for five years he served as a street car conductor in summer 
and stencil cutter in the winter season. He also spent two years in St. 
Eouis, Missouri, as foreman in the stencil and steel-stamp establishment of 
J. G. Harris & Company. 

He resigned this position and returned to Ohio to wc^d Miss Josephine 
Brede, of Cincinnati. She was born of German parents. Her father 
served in the war of the Rebellion and was taken prisoner and spent many 
months in Andersonville and other southern prisons. He returned home 
after the war but in a few j'ears died from the effects of prison life. Her 
mother is still living with Mrs. Tredw^ay on the farm at the age of seventy- 
five years. 

They began farming in Ohio and after several years of up hill work 
concluded to go west and were attracted to Allen County by circulars of 
George A. Bowlus, real estate agent. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tredway have been born five children, who are a 
source of great comfort to the parents. Guy, the eldest, is a graduate of 
the State Normal College, at Emporia; Charles is among the first teachers 
of Allen County ; Edna is a graduate of the Ida high school; John is a 
student in the Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kansas, and Alt at four- 
teen is still with his father on the farm.. 

In his business career Mr. Tredway has experienced manj' difficulties, 
but the obstacles in his path have served as an impetus to renewed effort. 
When he came to Kansas he had nothing but a team of mules, and, renting 
a farm of Jacob Zike, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. The 
firm of Scott & Goforth, of lola, furnished him with provisions for a 



3l6 HISTOKV OK Al.LKN AND 

yeiraiul with characteristic energy he bej^an his work, wlaich lirou-^ht to 
iiim a good return. He purchased his farm without paying a cent down, 
hut soon discharged liis indebtedness and bought an adjoining eiglity. The 
building which is now utilized as a barn served as his house for eight 
\ cars, but as the years passed he added substantial improvements to his 
properly and has made it a very desirable and attractive place. All of 
which has been made possible only by the aid of his dutiful wife. 

In politics Mr. Tredway has always been a Republican, has taken an 
active jiart in the work of the party and has been chairman of the county 
cc\itral committee. He has. howevei, never sought office as a reward for 
his .service, which has been given because he believes earnestly in Republi- 
can principles. He has been elected president of the County Farmers' In- 
stitute for several years and has been twice elected president of the County 
Sunday School conventions. He and his family are members of the Re- 
formed church. His life demonstrates most clearly what may be ac 
complished by determined purpose and shows that success does not depend 
upon fortunate circumstances, upon inheritance or the aid of influential 
friends, but upon the man. His career is creditable and honorable and 
should serve as a source of inspiration to others who are forced to begin 
life empty-handed, as did Mr. Tredway. 



JOHN S. LEHMAN. — It is a well proven assertion that the history of a 
county is best told in the lives of its people, for it is individual enter- 
prise and effort that bring about the upbuilding and advancement of a 
community. One of the energetic and reliable merchants of Humboldt is 
John S. Lehman, who is now connected with the grain trade. He was 
born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the i6th day of May, 1850. His 
father. Christian Lehman, was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, 
and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio when he was only 
six years of age. After reaching years of maturity he married Susannah 
Shank, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, who was a little maiden 
of five summers when her parents became early settlers of the Buckeye 
state. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and died in 
Ohio, in 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife pa.ssed away 
some time previous, her death occurring in 1866. He was a second time 
married. I^v the first union he had eight children, and by the second, 
one. 

John S. Lehman, our subject, is the eldest of the family, the others 
being David, a minister residing in Columbiana county, Ohio; Jacob, a 
farmer of that county; Henry, who is a horse buyer and shipper of Hum- 
boldt; Christian, who is conducting a planing mill and lumber business in 
Cjlumljiana county, Ohio; Mrs. Anna Miller, of the same place; Mrs. 
Susan Hurst, of Wayne county Ohio; and Mrs. Rebecca Culler, of Colum- 
biana county. P'rances L. Lehman, the half-sister, died in 1S93. 

After John S. Lehman completed his common school course he pur- 



WOODSON COrXTIES. KANSAS. 3 17 

sued his studies through one term in the FoUancl .Seminar}- Union, and 
afterward organized the Columbiana Lumber & Coal Company, with which 
he was connected ior eight 3'ears, serving for two years as its manager. In 
18S4. he came to Kansas, locating on a farm in Allen county, north-west of 
Humboldt. There he engaged in the cultivation of grain and the raising 
of stock foi seven years, and in 1893 took up his residence in this city, 
where he engaged in buying and shipping live stock, an industry to which 
he devoted his energies for about three years. He was then appointed bv 
Governor Leedy, to the position of superintendent of the public grounds 
and state house, thus serving until he was relieved by the Republican gov- 
ernor. After his return to Humboldt he opened a grain and feed store, 
buying and shipping all kinds of grain, vegetables, seeds and flour. 

Before leaving Ohio Mr. I,ehnian was married in 1876 to Miss Mary 
A. Kistler, of Lordstown, Ohio, and to them have been born eight children: 
Gertrude, wife of Edward King, who is now foreman of a blacksmith shop 
in Topeka, Kansas; Cora, who is living with her sister, Gertrude; Allen, 
wlio died in 1897; Arden; Leslie; Ethel, who died in 1888, and Harney and 
Floyd, at home. 

Mr. Lehman is a stalwart advocate of the Populist party and his deep 
interest in political affairs has led him to give an earnest support to its 
principles and to labor untiringly for its success. Socially he is a member 
of the Odd Fellows fraternity. As a citizen he has always been true and 
faithful to every trust reposed in him and is a worthy representative of that 
class who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives and constitute the 
best portion of a community. 

A SA M. WOOD. — Although one of the more recent arrivals in Allen 
-^^^ county, Asa M. Wood is already widely known and has made for 
himself a place among the practical and progressive agriculturists who have 
made Elm township to bloom and blossom as the rose. He was born in 
Harrison county, Missouri, August 14, i860, and is a son of John Irwin 
and Elizabeth (Bartlett) Wood. His paternal great grandfather was a 
native of England and became the founder of the family in America at an 
early period in the development of this country. George Wood, the grand- 
fatlier, was born in Kentucky during the pioneer epoch in the history of 
that state, and there occurred the birth of John Irwin Wood in 1816. Hav- 
ing arrived at years of maturity he wedded Elizabeth Bartlett, who was 
born in Tennessee in 1818. She has a brother Nathan who is living in 
Mississippi, and a half brother, Daniel T., who is also a resident of that 
state. (Her father was married twice.) Mr. and Mrs. Wood became the 
parents of seven children, namely: Asa M.; D. C, a ranchman of Seward 
county, Kansas; Joseph, a farmer of Mi.ssouri; Amanda and Martha, who 
manage the home.stead in Harrison county, Missouri; and Mrs. Arazilla 
Easton, who is also a resident of Harrison countv. Robert H. died in 
1874. 

On his father's farm Mr. Woud, of tliis review, spent the days of his 



3lS HISTORY OF ALLEN AXD 

boyhood and \oiith. and at the age of twenty-six went to Colorado, where 
he remained for two years engaged in ranching. Returning to Missouri he 
spent the two succeeding years in his native state, and then again located 
in Colorado, but after tour years he came to Kansas and in 1S96 purchased 
his present farm in Elm township, formerly owned by Mr. Swartzinan. 
Since that time he has been engaged in the cultivation of his fields and in 
stock raising. He con Aucts both branches of his business profitably for he 
follows progressive methods and in all his dealings he is strictly reliable. 
In 18SS, in Missouri, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Jennie 
Frisby, whose people were from Ohio. H=r father, J. C. Frisby, is still 
living, and spends the summer months in Kansas, while in the winter 
season he makes his home in Missouri. Mrs. Wood has two brothers, 
Adna H. and E. H., who are residents of Missouri. Our subject and his 
wife have two sons, Glenn and Kirk, aged respectively eleven and five 
years. Mrs. Wood is a lady of considerable business ability, who is now 
contributing to the family income through the raising of poultry on an ex- 
tensive scale. 

In his political views Mr. Wood is a stalwart Reiniblican. unswerving 
in his support of the principles of the party, and on that ticket he was 
elected to the office of township trustee of film township, in which capacity 
he is now serving. He is a western man by birth and by inclination and is 
thoroughly imbued with the western spirit of progress and enterprise. 



GEORGE G. FOX — Not in desultory fashion that renders effort un- 
profitable and labor without satisfactory result has Mr. Fox prose- 
cuted his business career for he is a man of markecl energy and strong 
determination who has steadily worked his way upward to a position of 
affluence. He now resides in LiHarpe, where he is successfuUj' engaged 
in real estate dealing. 

A native of the Empire state. Mr. Fox was born in Livingston county, 
New York, June 23rd, 184^, and is a son of John and Hannah (Hillnian) 
Fox, tlie former born in Connecticut in 1803, the latter in New York in 
iSoS. They had ten children — five sons and five daughters. Two of the 
sons loyally served the Union during the Civil war. George G. Fox ac- 
quired his education in the common schools of his native county and in an 
academy at Geneseo, New York. In his early business career he engaged 
in the manufacture of cheese for eight years, and was also proprietor of a 
general mercantile establishment for twelve years. Prominent in the com- 
munity in which he resided, he was elected and served for one terra as 
township clerk in Livingston county, and was also postmaster at Ea.st 
Groveland, New Yoik. 

The year 1883 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Fox in Kansas, and for 
seventeen years he has made his home in Allen county. He first located 
on a farm n<jrth of LaH.irpe, but for some time has been engaged in real 





^^ -0^ y^^^^ 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 319 

'estate dealing in the city. He is well informed on land values and has 
conducted a number of important transactions in his line. He is a man of 
sound business judgment, obliging and courteous and at all times perfectly 
reliable. These quilities have insured him gratifying success. 

In February, 18S5, wis celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fox and Miss 
Mary Eagle, who was born in I^ivingston county, New York They have 
a pleasant home in LaHarpe and occupy a leading position in social cir- 
cles. In politics Mr. Fox is a stalwart Republican and has filled the office 
of township trustee in Elm township, Allen count}-. Throughout the 
greater part of his life he has been an active worker in the church, and was 
one of the founders of the Piesbyterian church of LaHarpe. He withholds 
his support from no movement or measure calculated to prove of public 
benefit, along material, social or moral lines, and is a valued resident of the 
county, having the respect of all who know him. 



TOHX X. OKLFEST — Among the residents of Kansas who are of foreign 
^ birth is numbered John X. Ohlfe.st, who is a native of Holstein, 
Germany. The days of his bo\-hood and youth were passed in that land, 
and his education was acquired in its public schools. In accordance with 
its laws he served in the German army, was in the Schleswig-Holstein 
war between Denmark and Germany and was three years in Denmark as a 
soldier. In i855>he came out of the army. Hearing of the advantages 
offered young men in America and thinking to better his financial condi- 
tion on this side of the Atlantic he crossed the brinj- deep in 1857 and took 
up his residence in Valparaiso, Indiana, where resided his brother Carl, 
who had come to America the 3-ear previous and who sought a home in 
Kansas in 1870. He is now a neighbor of our subject. The latter engaged 
in the butchering business in Valparaiso, Indiana, and was married there 
in 186 1, to Anna Dora Urbahus, who was also born in Holstein, Germany, 
and came to the United States in 1858. The year 1870 witnessed the 
arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Ohlfe.st in Kansas, and since that time he has de- 
voted his energies to the development of his farm, which, at the time of 
his purchase was a piece of raw prairie land, entirely destitute of improve- 
ments. Xot a furrow had been turned, but he at once began the work of 
plowing and planting, and in the intervening years he has developed a 
valuable property, complete with all the accessories and conveniencies of a 
model farm. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ohlfest has been blessed with six chil- 
dren, namely: Mrs. Mary Davis, who is living in LaHarpe: Otto, a railroad 
employe located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was a soldier in the Span- 
ish-American war. Company I, r57th Indiana Volunteers; Minnie, who is 
at home; Emma, wife of Dr. Hooper, of LaHarpe, and Albert Frederick, 
who is also under the parental roof. John died in 1877 at the age of eight 
vears. The familv have manv warm friends in the commnnitv and their 



.^21) HISTORY OF Al.UeX ANH 

circle of acquaintances is an extensive one. Mr. Olilfest has always given 
liis political support to the Republican party, and keeping well informed 
on the issues of the day is able to support his position by intelligent argu- 
ment. In religious belief he is a Lutheran. He left the little (lernian 
lionie acro^■s the sea to become identified with American interests and in the 
new world he has found the opportunity he sought for advancing in life to 
a position among the substantial citizens of the community in which his lot 
has been cast. 



"Tj^UWIX IRVING CROWELL.— At a period m the pioneer develop- 
-*— -* ment of Allen county, Edwin Irving Crowell came to Kansas, and 
tor many years was identified with agricultural interests in Elm township, 
becoming one of its most prosperous farmers. The years of his active 
labor annually augmented his income, and now with a handsome compet- 
ence acquired, entirely through his own efforts, he is living retired. He 
has watched with interest the progress and upbuilding of the county and 
has aided in its advancement and progress along the lines which have con- 
tributed to its substantial improvement. 

A native of the Buckeye state, Mr. Crowell was born in Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, April 9th, 18,^9. It is believed that the family patronymic 
was originally Cromwell and that the ancestors of our subject were direct 
connections of Oliver Cromwell, changing their name to its present form 
when they fled to America in order to escape the persecution brought upon 
tliem by reason of their connection with the attempt to establish a pro- 
tectorate government in England, and thus end monarchial rule. .Samuel 
Crowell, the great-gramifather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts in 
1742, and was married in 1770 to Jerusha Tracy, by whom he had four 
sons: William, Samuel, John and He/.ekiah. Of this number Samuel 
Crowell became the grandfather of our subject. With a colony he emi- 
grated westward, locating in Ashtabula county. Ohio, where he was known 
as a thrifty and enterprising farmer. By trade he was a tanner, having 
served an apprenticeship of seven years, as was required in those days, but 
in later life he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He served as 
a soldier in the department of the east in the war of 181 2 and held a cap- 
tain's commission. He was born August 5, 1773, and died August 22, 
1864. The early Crowells were Whigs, but on the formation of the Repub- 
lican party representatives of the name joined its ranks. 

George Crowell, the father of our suliject, was born in Connecticut in 
1S59, and in his youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Ashta- 
bula countj', Ohio. There he reared his family, and his eldest son, 
lidward I. Crowell, after attending the common schools, continued the 
acquirement of an education at Grand River Institute at .\ustinburg, Ohio 
Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for two years, and then turned 
his attention to farming which he followed in the state of his nativitv until 



WOODSON COrxTIES. KANSAS. 32 1 

his removal to Kansas in October, 1870. In the meantime, however, h^- 
had spent a few months in Greeley, Colorado, after which he took up his 
abode in Doniphan county, Kansas, removing thence to lola. His farm in 
Kim township which he came to in 1875 was entirely a tract of raw prairie, 
but with indefatigable industry he began its development and for twenty- 
fi\-e years has continued its cultivation, making it one of the most highly 
improved and desirable farm properties in the county. In connection with 
the raising of grain he has engaged in the breeding of graded hogs, and 
has found this a profitable enterprise. 

In December, 1866, Mr. Crowell led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah E. 
Crosby, a daughter of Elijah Crosby, who was originally from Connecticut, 
but removed to Ohio with the colony of which the Crowells were members. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Chester, and their surviving 
children are Mrs. Crowell; Albert C, who is married and lives in Delta, 
Michigan; Alice, who was formerly a school teacher of lola and is now- 
teaching in the Indian Territory; Carrie, who is widow of Elton Stiles, 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Crowell are Newman I., who is married and 
lives in Elm township; Oriette B., wife of Rev. L. S. Faust, of Emporia, 
Kansas; George T. and Walter C, who are still at home. They also have 
three adopted children, Hattie, Sarah and Nellie. 

Mr. Crowell served for several years as justice of the peace in Elm 
township and was frequently called upon to perform marriage ceremonies 
as well as settle litigation. He was commissioner of Allen county in 1891, 
and is now filling the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties in 
a manner which has won him high commendation. He is one of the leading 
and influential members in the Presbyterian church, in which he has served 
as elder for twenty years, and in all life's relations he has been found true 
to manly principles. His word is as good as any bond solemnized bv sig- 
nature or seal, and among those who know him his honesty is proverbial. 
In all his business dealings he has been straightforward, and this is doubt- 
less one of the salient factors in his success. His life record is well worthy 
of emulation, and being closeh' interwoven with the history of Elm town- 
ship it certainly deserves a place in this volume. 



SAMUEL E. DOWNS passed the Psalmist's span of three score 
years and ten. He was an honored veteran of two wars and one of 
the pioneer settlers of Allen county, having long been identefied with the 
work of improvement and development in Cottage Grove township. He 
claimed Virginia as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in 
Culpepper county, on the i4.th of February, 1825, his parents being William 
H. and Cynthia (Bean) Downs. The father died in the Old Dominion, 
and the mother afterward removed to Illinois when her son Samuel was ten 
years of age. 

Amid the wild scenes of frontier life in the Prairie state. Mr. Down*; 



322 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

was reared and after arriving at years of maturity he was married, on the 
15th of October, 1857, to Martha A. Savage, a daughter of Moses P. Sav- 
age, who was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, and who wedded Sarah 
Lee, a native of Virginia. He died in 1885, at the age of seventy-eight 
years, and his wife passed away when seventy-six years of age. They 
were the parents of tliirteen children, of whom seven are now living, as fol- 
lows: F. M., who is in the Indian Territory; C. A., of Danville, Illinois. 
Mrs. Etta Nye, of Chanute, Kansas; Mrs. Laura Bans, of Saybrook, Illi- 
nois; Mrs. Florence Howe, of Bloomington, Illinois; and Mrs. Downs. By 
the marriage of our subject and his wife eight children were born, the 
living members of the family being Mrs. Laura F. Matsler, of Chanute; 
Charles L. ; William E., now of Lafayette, Indiana; Harmon E. of Hum- 
boldt, Kansas; Nettie J., and W. H. Savage, a resident of Allen county, 
Kansas. 

Mr. Downs followed farming in Illinois until after the inauguration of 
the Civil war. He entered the service with a knowledge of military tactics, 
for he had been numbered among the loyal defenders of his countrj- 
throughout the Mexican war. When the South refused to acknowledge 
the supremacy of the national government at Washington, he joined the 
army for the preseivation of the Union, becoming p member of Company 
C, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry, in which he served for 
three years, participating in many hard fought battles. He was for four 
months under constant fire, though many bullets pierced his clothes he 
escaped without wounds or injur\-. Truly this was a remarkable record. 
He was never absent from the regiment until the war was over, and par- 
ticipated in all of the engagements down the Mississippi river and through 
the south to Nashville. When the stars and stripes were planted in the 
Southern Confederacy he received an honorable discharge and returned to 
his home. 

Soon afterward Mr. Downs started with his young wife for the new- 
west, arriving in Kansas in the fall of 1S65. He secured a claim on Vege- 
tarian creek, five miles southeast of Humboldt, and has continually made 
his home here, having one hundred and twenty acres of good land under a 
high state of cultivation. Prioi to the war he voted w-ith the Democracy, 
first supporting James K. Polk, for the presidency, but since the Civil war 
he has been unfaltering in his advocacy ot Republican principles. His life 
has been an active and useful one, characterized by fidelity to duty in all 
relations and he justly enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellow men. 
Mr. Downs died April ist, 1901. 



MRS. ELIZABETH HECK— Well known in social and business 
circles in Humboldt. Mrs. Heck enjoys the warm regard of many 
friends and well deserves representation in this volume. She was born in 
Fredericksburg, Virginia, April 4, 1872, and is a daughter of Matthew B. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 323 

Mullany, a native of Ireland. When sixteen j-ears of age her father left 
the green isle of Erin, crossed the broad ocean to the new world and be- 
came a resident of Virginia. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth 
Bates, who was born in New York City, but her parents were natives of 
England. When Mrs. Heck was a little child of two summers her parents 
left the Old Dominion for the Nation's capital, and the father engaged in 
business in Washington. Subsequently he removed to Quincj', Illinois, 
where he conducted a grocery store. In 1876 he came with his family to 
Humboldt where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. The 
father died April 25, 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother 
passed away the loth of June, 1900, at the age of fifty-six. They had three 
children, but two died early in life. 

Elizabeth Mullany, the only surviving member of the family, spent 
her girlhood daj's in Washington, D. C, Quincy, Illinois, and in Hum- 
boldt, Kansas, and the public schools afforded her the educational priv- 
ileges which she enjoyed. When she had attained womanhood she gave 
her hand in marriage to Henry Heck, the wedding being celebrated in 
1890. Mr. Heck was a native of Germany and a man of considerable 
means, his attention being given to the management of his securit}' inter- 
ests. His health failed him, however, and after two years of married life, 
in 1892, he passed away. Mrs. Heck maintains her residence in Hum- 
boldt where she looks after her real estate interests and other investments 
which she has here and which yield to her an ample income. She pos- 
sesses good business and executive ability and at the same time manifests 
in her life those true womanly qualities which ev^erywhere command 
respect. Having long made her home in this portion of the State, she has 
a wide acquaintance and her circle of friends is very extensive. 



TAMES L. CHRISTY — One of the most highly esteemed and prominent 
^ pioneers of southeastern Kansas is James L. Christy, who came to 
to this portion of the country during territorial days and took part in the 
exciting events which formed the history of Kansas prior to the Civil war. 
With the era of progress and improvement he has also been connected, 
bearing his part in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization. 
No history of Allen County would be complete without the record of 
his life. 

He was born in Rowan County, Kentucky, July 12, 1840, the eldest 
son of John A. and Nancy Christy, who came to Allen County in i860. 
The mother died June 25, 1870, at the age of fifty-four years, and the 
father passed away July 29, 1897, ^^ the advanced age of eighty- 
five years. 

James L. Christy accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois 
during his eaily- boyhood and also went with them to Missouri. In 1855, 
thinking that he would like to see more of the wild west he came to Kan- 



-24 HISTORY OF AI.LEX AX!) 

sas, locating first in Bourbon County, where he was employed on a farm. 
There he woiked for till ee years, during which time the border troubles 
hioke out and he joined John Brown's party. He was right in the midst of 
the border difficulties and saw service under Generals Montgomery and 
Lane, participating in the battle of Osawatoniie. He was well acquainted 
with John Brown, the Abolition leader, whom he says was a very good 
man and used to preach to his followers every Sunday. When the trouble 
was over Mr. Chri.sty returned to his work. He was a great hunter and 
would often accompany the Indians on their hunting expeditions. He 
also killed, December 27, i^93. the last deer ever shot in this county. 
When Captain Gordon, the LInited States surveyor, divided the county 
into sections, Mr. Christy drove the ox team hauling the stones used in the 
corners of the sections. In 1850 he returned to Missouri on a visit, but in 
I S60 again came to Kansas, where he watched with interest the oncoming 
tide of events that involved the country in war. 

Upon reflection and in the rehearsal of incidents and events connected 
with the fir.st years of Allen County Mr. Christy adverts to the fact that the 
first blacksmith shop in the county was located in section 5, town 24, range 
18, and that it w-as established by Reuben Benbow. The first death in tlie 
county of which the public and society took notice was that of Tommy 
Keith. He was buried on the Carpenter place which was. necessarily, the 
first opened cemetery in the county. The first school hou.se was named for 
"Uncle Jimmy" Carpenter and was erected on his premises. 

In the days of disorganization and before the establi.shment of Terri- 
torial regulations for the county the few .settlers were distressed by thiev- 
ing Indians and white men and were driven to take matters into their own 
hands. They formed an organization for mutual protection and chose the 
first ofiicers and established the first seat of government for the count>-. 
Cofachique was selected as the county seat and the officers chosen were: 
A. W.J. Brown, Probate Judge; Jesse E. Morris, Sheriff and William C. 
Keith, Justice of the Peace. Frank Morris, son of Jesse, was selected to 
repre.sent the county in the Lecompton Constitutional Convention. 

These scenes are long past and few are alive who remember them. 
Elijah Brown, .son of the pioneer Isliam Brown, who resides in Neo.sho 
County, Kansas, and Robert McQuigg, of Roseburg, Oregon, were among 
the active participants in these events. 

On the 24th of July, 1861, Mr. Christy enlisted in Company F, Third 
Kansas Infantry, and soon afterward the Third, Fourth and Fifth regi- 
ments consolidated to form the Tenth regiment, with which he served for 
three years, experiencing all the hardships and rigors of war. He partici- 
pated in nineteen engagements, including .some of the most hotly contested 
battles, among which were Wilson's Creek, Locust Grove, Dr^- Wood, 
Newtonia, Ray's Mills, Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Chattanooga and the 
.storming of Fort Blakely. He was taken ill and was forced to remain at 
Salem, wdiere he was captured by the Rebels, but after two weeks he 
managed to make his escape by running through the guard lines. He 



I 





c-e-^*- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 325 

laithfuUy ck-feiidt'd the stars and stripes and the cause they represented, but 
when the war was over he gladly returned to his home. 

In 1S67 Mr. Christy was united in marriage to Miss Martha E- Morris, 
a native of Missouri, who came to .^llen County in 1855 with her parents. 
She is the second daughter of Jesse and Elizaljeth Morris, who located on 
Deer Creek, in Geneva township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Christy have been 
born nine daughters: Louisa IC. died at the age of four years; Emma, wife 
of George A. Smith, of Chandler, Oklahoma; Cora, who died at the age of 
sixteen years; Mamie, Ruby, Lora, Mattie and Lizzie, twins, and Jessie, the 
youngest, all at home. Ruby is a teacher in the county .schools.. 

Mr. Christy has held a number of responsible positions in Allen Coun- 
ty. He was deputy sheriff under J. C. Rcdfield and also under Charles P. 
Twiss. He has also served for seveial terms as justice of the peace and 
con.>^table of Geneva townshij), and discharged his duties with marked 
fidelity and proni|)tness. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. 
Whether on the field of battle, in public office or in the walks of private 
life, he has ever been true to his duties of citizenship and has commanded 
•and enjoyed the high regard of those with whom he has been associated. 



TONATHAX II. SPICER has i)assed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's 
" journej' and his has been an honorable record, the history of his life 
containing no esoteric chapters. Manly and sincere at all times he has 
commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has associ- 
ated, and he now receives the veneration and regard that should ever be 
accorded those wdio have reached advanced age. 

Mr. Spicer was born in New Hampshire, on the 12th of April, 1816. 
His father, Jabez Spicer, was also born in the old Granite vState and 
married to Miss Mary Huvey, a native of Connecticut. The father won the 
degrees of D. D. and M. I). He pursued both the classical and theological 
course in ths Dartmouth Theological College, and though he prepared for 
the medical profession he never engaged in practice, believing that his 
duty called him to the mini.sterial field. In an early day he removed to 
Michigan where he enteied upon the often arduous life of a home mission- 
ar_\ , and during the greater part of his career he was thus engaged in work 
in the west, carrying the gospel tidings into settlements where church 
privileges were little known. When he arrived in the Wolverine vState it 
was a largely undeveloped region, the Indians being far more numerous 
than the white settlers. He took a very active part in planting the .seeds 
of truth in the new communities and his influence was manifest in the 
upright lives of those among whom he lived and labored. He died in 
Michigan on the 25th of December, 1S47, at the age of sixty-two years, and 
his wife passed away three years later when sixty years of age. They were 
the parents of ten children, but onl\- two are now living, the other being 
Charles R, Spicer. 

J. H. .Spicer of this review was the third in order of birth. He spent 



326 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXC 

tiiuch ot his boyhood in the Empire State and received a coiuinon school 
education. When a young man he went to Vermont where he engaged in 
teaching school and also worked on a farm. Subsequently he returned to 
New York and later made his way to Ohio and afterward to Michigan, 
where he met a httle black-haired maiden of attractive appearance and 
pleasing manner. Their acquaintance ripened into love and on the 3rd 
of September, 1842, Emily Finney became his wife. She, too, was a 
native of the Old Granite State, a daughter of Seth and Lydia Jane Finney, 
the former born in New Hampshire and the latter in Connecticut. Her 
father's birth occurred May 27, 1791, his death October 34. 1S72. Mrs. 
Finney was born November 26, 1792, and deputed this life May 25, 1852. 
They were the parents ot seven children, but Mrs. Spicer is the only sur- 
vivor of the family. She was born April S, i82i,and for sixty one years 
(September 3, 1900, the 6ist anniversary) she has traveled life's journey 
by her husband's side, sharing with him in all his pleasures, sorrows, his 
adversity and prosperity, and ever proving to him a faithful companion and 
helpmate. 

A few years after his marriage Mr. Spicer remov*ed from Michigan to 
Kansas, arriving in this State in 1857 with a colony that took up their 
abode at Geneva. He preempted a tract of land just north of the little 
village and his experience on the frontier of Michigan well fitted him to 
meet the liardships and trials of pioneer life in the Sunflower State. The 
Indians were still numerous in this .section of the country and there was 
much discussion as to whether Kansas would or would not permit slavery 
within its borders. It was decided to settle the question by popular 
suffrage, and the South, anxious to retain Kansas as slave territory, sent 
many squatters who, says Mr. Spicer, gave the permanent settlers more 
trouble than all the Indians. Not long afterward the country became in- 
volved in civil war and loyal to the North, Mr. Spicer enlisted as a member 
of the Ninth Kansas cavalry, being made quartermaster sergeant of his 
regiment. He went to the front and served throughout the war, while his 
young wife and little son remained alone in the wild country. Mrs. 
.Spicer relates many interesting instances of her experience in Kansas and 
^Iiclligall, living in both States when they were the haunts of the red men. 
When they located at Geneva their nearest post office was Kansas City, 
Missouri. For many years they resided upon a farm, but about 1886 took 
up their abode in Geneva where they have a pleasant home. They are 
Hearing the end of life's pilgrimage, but can look back over the pist with- 
out regret and forward to the future without fear. 

Duane D. Spicer, the only son of J. H. and Emily Spicer, was born in 
Seneca County, Ohio, December 4, I845. and with his parents came to 
Kansas when twelve years of age. This was in 1S57. He was reared upon 
a farm and the experiences and duties of agricultural life early became 
familiar to him. His education was acquired in the schools at Emporia 
and later at the Academy in Geneva. On the 15th of June, 1S69, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Ella G. Brown, a daughter of G. M. and Caro- 
line Brown. Thev had been reared in the same neighborhood and attended 



"WOOUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 327 

the same school, and now they are traveling life's journey together in a 
happy married relation. Their home has been blessed with three children, 
namely: Fred Brown, a resident of Neosho Falls; Flora E., the wile of 
Robert B. Warner, of Geneva, and Herbert R. , who is still with his parents. 
Duane D. Spicer continued farming until 1885, when he sold his land 
and entered into partnership with C. L,. Knowlton in the conduct of a 
general mercantile enterprise in Geneva, They carried on business together 
for fourteen years when Mr. Spicer sold his interest to Mr. Knowlton and 
established a hardware business which he is still conducting. In 1899 he 
was appointed postmaster of Geneva and is now filling that position with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to his con.stituents. In 1887- he was ap- 
jiointed on the board of county commissioners, to fill a vacancy caused by 
the resignation of Robert Inge, and in 1891 he was elected to that ofiice 
where he served for two terms, retiring Irom the position as he had entered 
it, with the confidence and good will of the public. His political support 
is given to the Republican party and he keeps well informed on the issues 
of the day. His prosperity is the reward of his own unaided and well- 
directed efforts and toda}- he ranks among the representative residents of his 
adopted village. 



JOHN CORNELL.— With the history of the development and upbuild- 
*-• ing of Allen county the name of John Cornell is inseparably inter- 
woven, for he has long been a potent factor in the progress and advance- 
ment of this portion of the state. He was born in Fountain county, Indi- 
ana, October r, 1827, and is of Welsh descent, his paternal grandfather 
having come to America from the little rock-ribbed country of Wales about 
1750. Daniel Cornell, the father of our subject, was born in Canada, and 
during his boyhood removed to New York, where, after attaining to adult 
age, he was married to Marry E. Tracy, a native of Kentucky. About 
1810 he removed to Indiana, becoming one of the first settlers of the 
Hoosier state. His death occurred when he had attained the age of 
seventy-four years, and his wife died at the age of seventy-seven. They 
were the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living, namely: 
Dessie B., George, John O., Samuel, Martha and Sarah Jane. 

John Cornell was reared on the old homestead farm in Indiana, and 
like most boj's who spend their j^outh in frontier settlements, his educa- 
tional privileges were quite limited. In his native state he wedded Mi.ss 
Phoebe Boca, and in 1858 removed to Kansas, securing a claim which ad- 
joins the present town site of Ida, and is now known as the Delap farm. 
He made many improvements upon that claim and there lived for several 
years, it being his home when the lola Town Company was organized. He 
became a member of the company and drove the first stake used in laying 
out the town. Aftei some time he sold his first claim and purchased 
a tract west of the river, about nine miles northwest of lola. This was 



32.S HISTOKV 1)1- M.l.KN AXP 

prairie land au.l he soju leanisd to know tint it was not as profer.ible for 
fiirniiiig purposes as river bottom land lyina; near him, which was covered 
with a heavy growth of timber and which no one seemed to want, so he 
suld his upland and purchased a farm in the river bottom amid the green 
woods. With characteristic energy he began to clt-ar this, and to-day he 
has a valuable tract of land worth one hundred dollars p,;'r acre. Its im- 
provement, however, represents much hard labor, but it is now a very pro- 
ductive ti act and yields to him an excellent financial return for the care he 
bestows upon it. 

In 1S99 Mr. Cornell was called up):i to mourn the loss of his wife, 
who died June 30, at the age of si.Kty-seven years. They were tlie parents 
ot ten children, eight of whom are no»v living, namely: Mary E. , wife of 
K. Goff, of Minnesota; D.miel, a resident of Clianute, Kansas; Ashpet W. 
C. , of Hourbon county, Kansas; George, of lola, Olive, wife of Wellington 
Oiborn, of Allen county; John C. and All)ert O.. who are on the home 
farm; and Minnie, wife of Thomas Heffern, of Woodson county, Kansas. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Cornell was called out with the State 
Militia and went to Fort Scott, for Price was then making his raid into the 
state. He served on guard duty on the border for about six weeks and 
tlien returned to his home. Hi his served as deputy under Sheriff Brown 
and later was elected constable of lola township. He discharged his duties 
without fear or favor, and it is said that he always secured the prisoner he 
was in search of. Ha is widely known throughout .\llen county as 
"Uncle" John Cornell and enjoys the high regard of many. He belongs 
to the class of honored pioneers w'lo laid broad and deep the foundation 
for the present prosperity of this part of the st Ue. 



TOIIX vSHlCIJiV — ..\niong the enterprising and progressive young 
'-' farmers of Allen county is John Shelby, who has already attained suc- 
cess that many an older man might well envy. He was born in Circle- 
ville, Pickaway county, Ohio, <in the nth of October, 1S65, his parents 
being David and Margaret (Mason) Shelliy, the former a native of Ohio, 
and the latter of West Virginia. The father died in .-Vrkansas in 1S91, at 
the age of sixty-four years, while visiting at the home of his son John, but 
the mother is still living in Ohio, at the age of sixty-eight years. They 
were the parents of three children: John, of this review; W. D. and 
Edwin B., who are now residents of Ohio. 

In taking up the person.il history of John vShelby we present to our 
readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in the 
county of his adoption. His preliminary education, acquired in the com- 
mon schools, was supplemented by a course in the Northern Indiana Nor- 
mal School, at Valparaiso, Indiana, whei^ he was graduated. On com- 
pleting his education and putting aside his text books, he turned his 
attention to farming and has made that pursuit his life work. 

Mr. Shelby was married in Ohio to Miss Jane Young, a native of the 



W001)S(JN COUNTDCS, KANSAS. 329 

Buckeye state, and so )n afterward lliey moved to central Arkansas, where 
Mr. Shelby engaged in farming for ten years. The year 1890 witnessed 
his arrival in Alien county, Kansas, where he has now made his home for 
a decade. He located five miles northwest of lola, where he purchased a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres.. P'rom that time he has continued 
the work of impnjvemeut until he is to-day the owner of a very valuable 
property, on which is a good house and everything that goes to make up a 
desirable farm. He keeps his land in excellent condition througli the 
rotation of crops and the rich fields yield to him a good return. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby has been blessed witli three 
children: Maxwell, Joe R. and Booth S., who are the life and liglit of 
their parents' home. Mr. and Mrs. Shelby have become widely known in 
Geneva township and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with 
the circle of their acquaintances. 



TTARVEY H. CARMAN, one of the most energetic young farmers of 
-L J- Allen county, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 5th of March, 
1.S69, but has spent almost his entire life in Kansas, having been brought 
to this state by his parents when a year old. His father, David Carman, 
was born in Carroll countv, Ohio, aiui died in 1896, at the age of fifty- 
three years. He first wedded P^lizabeth H. Taylor, a native of Pennsyl- 
. vania, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Harvey 
H. and Ida, who are at home; Anna, wife of Edward Cleaver, and David 
and Charles, who are deceased. As before stated the father of this family 
came to Kansas in the spring of 1870 and was a resident of Riley county 
until the spring of 1876, when he came to Allen county, and purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of land on Indian creek, one mile west of 
Geneva. There he improved a farm, leaving his property in good condi- 
tion. His first wife died in Ogden, Kansas, in 1875, and he was afterward 
married to Miss Ivli/.abeth Thrall, a native of Ohio, whose death occurred 
in [888. P'or his third wife he chose Miss Nannie Rankin, of Monroe- 
ville, Alabama, who died September rg, 1890. 

At the time of the Civil war David Carman responded to the country's 
call for aid, enlisting in the Third Ohio Battery, in which he served as 
gunner. He participated in many engagements under command of Gen- 
erals McPherson and Thomas, and during the lattei part of the war was 
with the troops of General Logan. He loyally served his country for four 
years and six months. He marched through the southern Confederacy 
from Atlanta to the sea, taking part in all the engagements on the way. 
He was also in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Shiloh, the battle of 
Appomattox, and in the engagements at Chattanooga, at Peach Tiee Creek 
and at Vicksburg he was wounded. After faithfully serving his country 
for three 3'ears, he veteranized and remained at the front until after the 
stars and stripes were planted in the Confederate capital. He ever loyally 



•^^O HISTORY OK ALLI'lN AND 

tollowcd tlic old tl.i;j; aiul was oftt-n in llie thickest of thu- fiylil, ])attling earn- 
estly for the Union. 

Harvev H Carman pursued his ecuication in the schools of Allen 
county, and in the periods of vacation assisteii in the work of the home 
farm. In this way he was well qualified by practical experience to assume 
its management upon his father's death. He has since overseen the prop- 
erty and the fields are under a high state of cultivation, yielding a golden 
tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He also 
raises and handles quite a number of horses and hogs and feeds all of his 
grain to his stock. His sister Ida acts as his housekeeper and the home is 
ciiaracteri/ed by an air of neatness and thrift, while the household is noted 
for its generous hospitality. 



DOCTOR BI-:NJAMIN COPE is a skilled physician and surgeon of 
Humboldt, whose ability is widely recognized. His knowledge of 
the .science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and his successful 
adaptation of its principles to the needs of suffering luinianity has gained 
him enviable prestige in professional circles. He was born in Columbiana 
county, Ohio, October 9, 1S49, and is a son of Elijah Cope, also a native of 
the Buckeye state and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Anna 
P'ryfogle, a native of Maryland, and about 1865 removed with his family to . 
northern Indiana, where he remained for a few years, after which he re- 
turned to Ohio, where he resided until his death in 1S76, at sixty years of 
age. His widow still survives him and has attained to the advanced age 
of eighty-three years. In their family were ten children, but all are now 
deceased with the exception of the Dactor and David Cope, the latter a 
resident of Colorado. Two of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war, John 
\V., one of them, enli.sting in 1861 as a private of the Forty-third Ohio 
Volunteers. After the battle of Corinth he was taken ill, died and was 
buried there. Joshua Cope, the other, enlisted in 1863, was sent to the 
department of the Cumberland, and participated in the arduous service of 
the campaign ol east Tennessee. The troops had to go on long hard 
marches and their food supply was short, for as communication with the 
north was cut off they had to live on what they could forage on an almost 
exhau.sted country. Joshua Cope participated in the siege of Knoxville, 
which lasted twenty-five days and when General Sherman went to the re- 
lief of the besieging troops wlio were under command of General Biirnsides, 
he found that they were aim 3St staived, having nothing to eat except a loaf 
of bread daily. Joshua Cope returned to his home at the close of the war 
and .soon afterward died from di.sease resulting from the exposure and hard- 
ships of army life. 

Dr. Cope acquired his preliminary education in the common schools 
of Ohio and Indiana and afterward attended college at Mount Union, Ohio. 





A 




^M^^yy^z^ 



WOOUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 331 

In 1870 he came to Kansas, locating in Linn county, where he was em- 
ployed in various ways until his return to Ohio. He then read medicine 
under Dr. B. A. Whiteleather, at Osnaburg, Stark county, Ohio, and 
attended a course of lectures at Cleveland. In 1878 he again came to Kan- 
sas and was a student in the St. Joseph, M-issouri, Northwestern College, 
winning his diploma in that institution. He began practice in Wilson 
county and for seventeen years was a leading representative of the medical 
profession there. On the expiration of that period he came to Humboldt 
and has since enjoyed a large and constantly increasing patronage in this 
place. 

In the fall of 1878 Dr. Cope returned to Ohio and married Miss Ella 
Pettit at New Lisbon. She is a native of the Buckeye state, and by her 
marriage has become the mother of five children, namely: Edna, Florence, 
Elsie, Frances and Byron. The Doctor owes his success in life entirely tn 
his own efforts. He scorned no service that would 3'ield to him an honor- 
able living and thus prepared for professional life in which he has obtained 
an enviable degree of success. 



SALATHIEL M. IRWIN.— If "biography is the home aspect of 
history," as Willmott has expressed it, it is entirely within the prov- 
ince of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives and character, 
the achievements and honor of the illustrious sons of the nation; and if 
any stimulus is needed in this behalf, it may be found in the caustic words 
of Burke, that "those only deserve to be remembered who treasure up a 
history of their ancestors." Each state pre.sents with pride her sons and 
her jewels. She has nursed among her children those who have become 
illustrious in religion, in law, in oratory and in statesmanship, and whose 
exalted character and national reputation have shed more honor and glory 
upon the history of their native state than any beside. One of the most 
widely known and honored citizens of southeastern Kansas is Rev. S. M. 
Irwin. Thirty-three years have been added to the cycle of the centuries 
since he established his home in Geneva to minister to the spiritual wants 
of the congregation of the Presbyterian church. 

He was born at South Salem, Ross count}', Ohio, on the 23rd of No- 
vember, 1836, and is a son of William S. Itwin, whose birth occurred in 
18 1 2. When he (the father) had arrived at years of maturity he married 
Miss Sally McMunn, a native of Ohio. At the time of the Civil war he 
served as captain of Company I, of the Sixtieth Ohio Volunteers, and in 
the course of his services he was captured at Harpeis Ferry, Virginia, and 
sent back to Chicago where he remained until he was paroled. He then 
helped to organize the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was commis- 
sioned major of the battery and acted as commanding officer most of the 
time until the war was ended and he received an honorable discharge. 
Resuming the pursuits of civil life he engaged in the nursery business. 



^32 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

dealing in fruit trees. On coming to Kansas he located in Neosho county 
and was elected to represent liis county in the general assembly, having 
the distinctive honor of being the first Republican sent to the legislature 
from that county. He was a member of the house during the session in 
which Pomeroy and York had their trouble, and when John J. Ingalls was 
elected to the United States senate. His wife died in January, 1S79, at the 
age of sixty-eight years, and is now survived by three of her six children, 
namely: Albert Irwin, a resident of Washington, D. C; William N., who 
is first assistant in the pomological department at Washington; and S. M., 
of this review. 

Rev. Irwin was reared on the home farm and the public schools 
and academy of his native town afforded him his early educational priv- 
ileges, which were supplemented by study in Hanover College and in 
which he was graduated in the class of 1S61. He then engaged in teach- 
ing for two years, as principal of the high school of Hanover, and subse- 
quently entered the theological seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, where 
he remained until, having completed the three 3'ears' course, he was 
graduated in 1866. The following year he was ordained to the ministry at 
Deepwater, being located in \'ernon county, Missouri, his first charge 
being the Little Osage church, and there he continued for a year, coming 
to Geneva in 1867. Since that time he has been pastor of the Presbyterian 
church and he is rich in the love, confidence and respect of his people, and 
his influence for good in the community is immeasureable. He has also 
been identified with educational interests in Allen county, having for six 
years been a teacher in the Academy at Geneva. His sermons are in- 
.structive, forceful, logical and entertaining, and fail not to impress his 
hearers with his earnestness and with the truth of his utterances. He has 
preached in many of the churches in the surrounding country and for 
twenty-eight years he has had charge of Liberty church, now at Piqua. 

Rev. Irwin was married in the summer of iS'^y to Miss Louisa A. 
Hackman, of Washington, Missouri, and a daughter of J. F. W. and 
Juliana Hackman. They are the parents of nine children, of whom seven 
are now living, as follows: John M., a railroad agent at Westphalia, Kan- 
sas; William N., a resident of Geneva; Samuel J., who is a train dispatcher 
at Herrington, Kansas; Paul C, Julia L. , Abram M. and Mary L-, all at 
home. Mr. Irwin has a very pleasant residence and a fine orchard in 
Geneva. When he first came to this state he purcha.sed two lots and a 
small dwelling and has kept adding to it until he has a comfortable home. 
He has l)ought the first forty blocks (save one lot) within the corporation 
limits of the town and afterward purchased tracts of forty-five acres on the 
cast and forty acres on the west and at another time a tract of eighty acres 
in Woodson county, Kansas, so that his realty possessions are now quite 
extensive. No man has ever been more respected in Geneva and the sur- 
rounding country-, or enjoyed more fully the confidence of the people, or 
better deserves such respect and confidence than Mr. Irwin. The residents 
of .southeastern Kansas recognize his merit and hold in the highest regard 
his services. He believes in a church true to the Master and aims to 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 333 

preach the whole truth whether men will heai or forbear. Many have 
reason to bless him for his influence in leading them to take cognizance of 
the soul's needs and to place their treasure in that country "where moth 
and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break through and steal." 



EDWARD D. CURTIS— A native of the Empire State, Edward D. 
Curtis, was born on the 2nd of September, 1860, the eldest in a 
family of ten children. He spent the first ten years of his life in New 
York, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Katisas, the 
family locating in Allen County. He remained at home until twenty -six 
3-ears of age and in the meantime learned the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed for a number of years, eventually abandoning it for farming. 

Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Estep, a daughter 
of A. J. Estep. Her mother. Mrs. Charlotte Estep, died in 1870, at the 
age of thirty-four years. She has a brother and sister, George and 
Charlotte, the latter the wife of J. H. Hobb, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 
where he is engaged in the Stock Brokerage busine.ss. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Curtis have been born three children. May, Ivan and Madge 

After his marriage in 1886, Mr. Curtis moved to Wichita, Kansas, 
and there engaged in the implement business for five years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he sold his store and returned to Allen County, 
where he engaged in farming until 1897. He then resumed work at the 
carpenter's trade in lola, following that pursuit until he met wit'i an acci- 
dent, falling from a building. Subsequently he conducted a feed store in 
lola, but in 1S99, disposed of that business and removed to his farm in 
Geneva township, where he has since engaged in raising grain and stock. 
Thirty-one years have passed since he came to the county and throughout 
the period he has been held in high regard for his many excellent qualities 
and sterling worth. 



^ A 7"IELIAM J. PICKELL— We are now permitted to touch briefly 
^ " upon the life history of one who has retained a personal associa- 
tion with the affairs of Allen County for a number of years. His life has 
been one of honest and earnest endeavor and due success has not been 
denied him. As proprietor of the elevator in Humboldt he is recognized 
as one of the leading business men of the community. The safe, conserva- 
tive policy which he has inaugurated commends him to the judgment of 
all, and he has secured a patronage which makes the volume of business 
transacted in his office of considerable magnitude. 

Mr. Pickell was born in Canada, November 30, 1857, his parents being 
Moses and Mary (Mark) Pickell, the former a native of Canada, and the 



334 HISTORY OK ALLKN AXIJ 

latter of England During her girlhood, however, the mother accompanied 
her parents on their removal to the English province in the new world. 
By the marriage of this worthy conple they became parents of seven chil- 
dren, namely: Moses, who died February 26, 1901; Mrs. Elizabeth Beck, 
wife of A. W. Beck, of lola; Mary J., wife of Dr. A. J. Fulton, of lola; Mrs. 
Kale Thomas, of lola; Anna, wile of L. H. Wishard, of lola; and William 
J. The father was a millwright by trade and also followed blacksmithing. 
In 1858 he went to California, where he remained for eight years, working 
at his trade and operating a sawmill. In i86r his family removed to 
northern Indiana and after his return from California Mr. Pickell took them 
to Kansas, arriving July 30, i86g, five miles east of lola, where he 
purchased five hundred acres of land, owning the land joining the town of 
LaHarpe. His wife died in October, i86y at the age of forty-two years. 
His death occurred in Allen County in 187 1, when he was forty-four years 
of age. 

William J. Pickell, whose name introduces this record, received but 
limited educational privileges, never attending school after he was eleven 
years of age. He was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father's 
death, and upon him devolved largely the responsibility of managing the 
family affairs. For twenty-two years he resided upon a farm, but coming 
to the conclusion that he could better his financial condition by entering 
commercial life he went to lola, where he was employed for six years by 
A. W. Beck, a dealer in farm implements and grain. On the expiration 
of that period Mr. Pickell traded his farm near LaHarpe for the (Elevator at 
Humboldt, and on the 14th of October 1H97, removed his fyinily to that 
place. There he began business on a small scale, buying grain and grind- 
ing feed, but his trade has rapidly and steadily increa,sed, so that he now 
furnishes employment to from five to eight men. He buys everything the 
farmers have for sale, including hogs, cattle, corn, wheat, oats, hay and 
flax. He is the proprietor of one of the best business enterprises in his 
line in the State of Kansas. 

On the 22nd of March, 1S79, Mr. Pickell wedded Miss Jessie Wei-ner, 
a native of Greene County, Illinois, who came to Kansas in 1878 with her 
parents. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children: 
James Ralph, Catharine Maud, Archie Benson, Mo>es F., Ray Caswell, 
Mark Weisner and Loren Clil'ford. The eldest son has completed the high 
.school course and for two years has been a student in Baker Ihiiversity at 
Baldwin. 

Mr. Pickell votes with the Republican party, but aside from casting 
his francliise in support of its men and measures he takes no active part in 
politics, preferring that his attention shall be given in an undivided man- 
ner to his business affairs. He started out in life with a very limited capi- 
tal, but the years have brought him success as a reward for his efforts and 
prominence in commercial circles is assured and enviable. 




^ ^^-^A^ 



WOOD.S(.)N COUNTIES, KANSAS. 335 

TOHXP. DICKEY has been the architect of his own fortunes and has 
*-* builded wisely and well. His life affords an illustration of the viccisi- 
tudes of business under modern conditions; it emphasizes the importance of 
doing the right thing at the right time and it teaches a lesson of patience 
under difficulties and perseverance again.st obstacles, — a les.son that might be 
profitably followed by many. 

Mr. Dickey was born in Scott County, Indiana, on the 26th of Feljrn- 
ary, 1824, and is a representative of one of the old families of the South. 
His father, Rev. John Dickey, was a native of North Carolina, and re- 
mo\-ed to Kentucky when ten years of age, being there reared to manhood. 
He was licensed to preach in the Presbytery of that State, and in an early 
day removed to Indiana, being the first Presbyterian minister ever in.stalled 
in that commonwealth. He had charge of one church for thirty years and 
was one of the organizers and founders of the Presbyterian Academy in 
Hanover, Indiana. As an educator he possessed exceptional ability and 
throughout his life he devoted his time and talents to imparting knowledge 
to others or to preaching the gospel, carrying the glad tidings of great joy 
into many a hou.sehold upon the frontier. 

Rev. Dickey preached the first anti-slavery sermon and the first tem- 
perance sermon in the synod of Indiana. He was without college educa- 
tion or theological training, like Uncle Tom, of a meek and quiet disposi- 
tion, yet he was first and foremost in all the reforms of the day. 

Mr. Beecher was a member of the same synod with Mr. Dickey. 
Harriet Beecher Stowe says the life of Rev. Mr. Dickey gave her the in- 
spiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin. He was the first installed pastor in the 
State, and probably the third minister in the State of Indiana. 

When Birney run on the ticket for anti-slavery Mr. Dickey was the 
only one who cast a vote for him in Clark County, Indiana. 

He married Miss Margaret Osboin Steele, a native of Kentucky, and 
they instilled into the minds of their eleven children lessons of industry, 
honesty and morality. The father died in 1849 at the age of fifty-nine 
years, and the mother passed away in 1847, when fifty years of age. 
Four of the children are yet living, namely: James, a resident of lola; Mrs. 
Mary Haines, of New Albany, Indiana; William, now living in Oregon, 
and John P. of this review. 

The last named was reared upon his father's farm during the early 
development of the State of his nativity. His educational privileges were 
those afforded by the common schools. He learned the carpenter's and 
wagoninaker's trades as a preparation for life's practical duties, and as a 
companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Martha E. 
Matthews, a native of Kentucky, the wedding being celebrated in New 
Washington, Indiana. After the death of his first wife he was again 
married in 1865, his second union being with Miss Amanda D. Dickerson, 
a native of New York, and a daughter of John Dickerson. Her father was 
born in the Green Mountain State and when he had arrived at the years of 
maturity he wedded Miss Mary Bacon, a native of Connecticut. In 1864 



336 HISTORY OF allex and 

they came to Kansas, locating in Geneva, where Mr. Dickerson died in 
1S56, at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife passed away in 1885, 
when eighty-five years of age. In their family were iix children, three of 
whom survive, namely: Mrs. Maria L. Williamson, who resides with Mrs. 
Dickey: Lewis I. Dickerson and Mrs. Dickey. 

In the year 1S57 Mr. Dickey arrived in Kansas, which was then a 
territory having not yet assumed the dignity of Statehood. He secured a 
claim on Martin Creek and there resided until his country's call lor aid 
prompted his enlistment as a member of Company D, Ninth Kansas 
Cavalry. He served for three years along the border of Missouri and Ar- 
kansas, escorting trains as they passed to and fro. His command was 
mostly engaged in guard duty, but occasionally met a band of bushwhack- 
ers, which would be followed by a skirmish. At the close of the war the 
subject of this review returned to his adopted State, locating in Geneva 
where he was identified with its building interests. He had the honor of 
building the first school house and the first church ever erected in Allen 
County, the location being in district No. i of Geneva. 

In 1867 Mr. Dickey removed to his farm and has since carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits with marked success. He owns one hundred 
and sixty acres of rich and arable land and has developed a valuable 
property. In front oi his commodious residence is a wide lawn on which 
stand beautiful shade trees protecting the home from the hot rays of the 
summer sun. His extensive barns and outbuildings furnish shelter for 
grain and stock. When he arrived in Kansas he had only twelve dollars 
in money, and that served as a nucleus for his present comlortable compe- 
tence. His success was assured from the beginning because he possesses 
those qualities which contribute to prosperity. He has always been a 
staunch advocate of Republican principles, voting with the party since he 
cast his first ballot for General John C. Fremont. In all life's relations he 
has been found true to duty, whether it has been in the fields of indus- 
trial or agricultural business, in military circles or in the walks of private 
life. There has been manifest in his career a persistency of purpose that 
when guided by sound judgment never fails of reward. 



CHARLES L. KNOWLTON was born in Clark County, Indiana, on 
the 23rd of June, 1849. His father, James H. Knowlton, was born 
in 8hrew.sbury, Massachusetts, in i3io, and in 1836 became a resident of 
Hanover, Indiana, where he began the study of medicine. He was gradu- 
ated in the Cincinnati Medical College and entered the professional ranks 
where he soon won prominence, his skill and ability gaining him marked 
prestige. In 183S he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Dickey, a 
native ot Kentucky, who was born in 18 14 and was a daughter of John and 
Margaret Dickey. Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton became the parents of six 
children, of whom three sons are now living: John D., Charles L. and 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 3-^7 

Howard N. Two sisters, Olive and limma, married George Tathaiii, tin- 
latter becoming' his wife after the death of her sister, and she, too, has 
passed away. 

Dr. Knowlton continued to practiee medicine in Indiana until the in- 
auguration of the Civil war. Wlien rebellion threatened the destruction of 
tiie Union, from every walk of life there came men of loyal purpose and 
undaunted spirit who offeied their services to the government, and among 
the Union troops of Indiana Dr. Knowlton was numbered, joining the P^ifty- 
second Indiana Infantry, of which he was appointed assistant surgeon. He 
rendered great aid to the sick and wounded men of his regiment and served 
in that capacity until his own health failed, when he resigned and returned 
to iiis home. He afterward removed to lUincjis where he engaged in prac- 
tice several years and in 1.S66 he came to Kansas, locating in Geneva 
where he followed his profession through his remaining days, his death 
occurring in 1882. Seven years later his wife passed away, being then 
seventy-five years of age. Like many other energetic y<ning men starting 
out in lite Dr. Knowlton had to depeiid entirely on his rjwn efforts, and 
engaged in teaching school in order to obtain the money necessary to j)ur- 
sue his medical course. After locating in Allen County he became one of 
the leading practitioners and also one of the prominent citizens in other 
walks of life. He was a man of strong mentality, of marked force of char- 
acter and keen discernment, and his fitness for leadership led to his selec- 
tion for high official honors. He was once chosen toserve in the legislature 
anfj Allen County lias never been better represented than by Dr. James 
II. Knowlton. He left the impress of his iuflividuality upon the legislature 
ol tliat period and upon many of the interests of Allen County, and by 
those who knew him he is remembered as a man who was fearless in con- 
duct and of untarnislied reputatifju. 

The first twelve years of Charles ly Knowlton's life were spent in 
imvn. He 'then accompanied his parents on their removal to a farm. 
The\ had become residents of Illinois during his early boyhood and in the 
schools of that State heac(juired his education, becoming familiar with .ill 
the brandies of English learning that constituted the curriculum (^f public 
instruction. In 1867, when about eighteen years of age, he came with his 
parents to Kansas, locating in Geneva where he has since continued to 
make his home. F'or many years he was identified with the work of the 
farm. In 1872 he married Miss lunily Denney. a naitve of Ohio, who in 
[859 came to Kansas with her parents, William and Emilin Denney. On 
putting aside the plow Mr. Knowlton became identified with commercial 
pursuits, establishing a general store in Geneva where he cairies every- 
thing that is usually found in a first class establishment of the kind. This 
includes a stock (jf drugs. About the same time he began the practice of 
medicine. His father being a physician, he became familiar with the prin- 
ciples of the medical pnifession from association with him. As the years 
have passed he has continued his studies and is now well informed along 
that line. He controls (juite an extensive practice in connection with his 



I 



33S msTORv OK allen and 

mercantile affairs and is the most active and enterprising business man in 
the little town of Geneva. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knowllon have been born four children: Olive, 
who is a teacher in Allen County; Maggie and Daisy, who are successfully 
teaching in the schools of Allen County, and Frank, who is still under the 
parental roof. The famil}- is one of prominence in the community, enjoy- 
ing the high regard of a large circle of friends and the hospitality of the 
best homes in this localitv. Mr. Knowlton has always taken a deep and 
abiding inter-ist in political affairs and keeps well informed on the issues of 
the day, thereby being enabled to support his position by intelligent argu- 
ment. He always attends the County and State conventions and his 
opinions carry weight in party councils, yet he has never been a politician 
in the sense of office seeking. He could undoubtedly win political honors 
did he desire, but his business makes heavy demands upon his attention 
and he prefers to give his time in an undivided manner to the control of his 
mercantile and professional interests. His labors have contributed largely 
to the upbuilding of Geneva, and its cotnmercial enterprise i> due in no 
small measure to him. In business circles he enjoys an unassailable repu- 
tation for he follows correct methods and honorable principles and at all 
times he is possessed of that progressive spirit which seeks not alone his own 
good, but is alive to the advancement of city, county and State, and his 
place in Geneva would be difficult to fill. 



MRS. CLARA M. MABIlv is one of the highly esteemed ladies of 
Allen county and lesides upon one of the fine farms of southeastern 
Kansas. She was born in the county which is yet her home, on the 22nd 
of April, 1862, and is a daughter of George and Mary A. Es.se. Her 
parents are still living, their home being in Geneva. Her father was born 
in France near the city of Metz, on the 12th of December, 1827. His 
father, John Esse, was a Frenchman, but his mother, Mrs. Mary E.sse. was 
of German birth. When twelve years of age George Esse came to America 
and resided in New York until he had attained to man's estate. He was 
n)arried there to Miss Mary Ann Ikins, an English lady who came to the 
United States in 1845. In 1867 they emigrated to Kansas, locating on a 
farm near tlieir present home. There the father carried on agricultural 
pursuits for a number of years, but he has since disposed of all of his land 
with the exception of a small tract, not caiing to be burdened with a 
greater amount. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Esse were born two children: Eugene 
C. and Clara, the former a resident of lola. 

Clara M. Esse spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and 
pursued her education in the public schools. When eighteen year^ of age 
she gave her hand in marriage to Edward R. Mabie, the wedding being 
celebrated on the 27th of May, 1880. Mr. Mabie was born in South Wes- 
ley, New York, August 25, 1838, was reared there and was graduated at 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3-^9 

tlie high school in Albany, New York. When the country became in- 
volved in Civil war he joined the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New 
York Infantry, at Rome New York, serving for three years. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Richmond, Antietara, Vicksburg, Atlanta 
and many others which led to the successful termination of the Rebellion. 
On one occasion he was wounded by a minie ball which grazed the back 
of liis neck, and he incurred diseases that finally terminated his life. 

In 1866 Mr. Mabie came to Kansas and secured a claim of eighty acres 
on Martin creek, two miles east of Geneva, where he resided until the 
time of his death. He added to his farm as opportunity offered until he 
became the owner of three hundred and twentj'-five acres of land which he 
placed under a high state ot cultivation. He erected thereon a good resi- 
dence and barn and the home is surrounded b\- beautiful, native forest 
trees which protect it from the hot rays of the summer sun. He also set 
out nine miles of hedge fence, and forty gates furnish entrance to his fields 
and pastures. His labors resulted in making his property one of the best 
farms in Allen county. He died October 20, iSgg, at the age of sixty-two 
years. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a faithful 
friend and a loyal citizen and thus throughout the community his loss was 
deeply felt. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mabie were the parents of eight children: George E. , 
Frank C, Harris R., Alice E. , Maud P., Clara B. and Ed. T., seven of 
whom are under the parental roof. Mrs. Maoie, with the assistance of her 
eldest son, George, is conducting the home farm, which is kept up in the 
same excellent condition in which it was found when under the super- 
vision of the husband and father. Mrs. Mabie possesses excellent business 
and executive ability, in addition to those true womanly qualities which 
have gained her the high regard and friendship of many with whom she 
has been brought in contact. 



r~>HARLES A. STEWART is a representative of one of Allen county's 
^-^ honored pioneer families, and is one of her native sons, his birth hav- 
ing occuned on the 5th of June, 1870. He was reared on the farm which 
is now his home, the residence being situated within two hundred feet of 
his present dwelling. His parents were Samuel J. and Emma A. Stewart, 
and he is the eldest son of their seven children. Daring his youth he at- 
tended the district schools of the neighborhood, and in the summer months 
assisted in the plowing, planting and cultivation of the fields, early becom- 
ing familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He 
remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which event in his 
life occurred on the 3rd of April, 1892, Miss Freelie E. Duncan becoming 
his wife. She was born in Indiana, and is the second child of John W. 
and Elizabeth Duncan, with whom she came to Kansas during her early 
girlhood. Her parents were also natives of the Hoosier state, and her 



340 IIISTOKV Ol- AI.I.KX AND 

mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Owen. In 1S7S they came to 
Allen county, settling four miles south of Humboldt, where Mrs. Duncan 
still resides. Her husband died February 8, 1S9S, at the age of fifty years. 
During the Civil war he lovally served the Union as a member of an In- 
diana rejiiment. Hy their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Duncan became the 
parents of seven children, namely: O. P., who is. living in lola; Mrs. 
Stewart; Emmert, a resident of Oklahoma; Othella, wife of \V. H. Booe, a 
resident of Fountain county, Indiana; Bertha, Bulin and Olin, who are 
with their mothei. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart began their domestic life upon a farm of seventy- 
seven acres, whi.'h he purchased, erecting thereon a cozy little residence, 
to which he has since added a stone addition. He has increased the 
beauty of the place by planting trees, has set out a nice vineyard, erected a 
good barn and other outbuildings and now has one of the desirable farms 
in the southern portion of the county. The fields are under a high state of 
cultivation and their rich products find a ready sale on the market. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been blessed with four chil- 
dren, namely: Alma, Gladys, Harlan and Glenn. Mr. Stewart is a Re- 
publican, and though he never seeks office for himself he has just regard 
for the duties of citizenship, keeps well informed on the issues of the day, 
and attends the conventions of his party, doing all he can to support his 
friends and to secure the adoption of Republican principles. He started 
upon his business career as many others have done, without capital, and 
his earnest labor, guided by .sound judgment in business affairs, has 
brought to him all that he now possesses, making him one of the substan- 
tial residents of the communitv. 



FRANK S. DENNEV. — The Denney family is of English lineage and 
was founded in America b)- the great- grandfather of our subject, who 
was born in the city of London. While on the ocean, at the time of the 
Revolutionary war, he was captured and brought to this country and being 
well pleased with his new home he never returned to his native land. His 
son, James Denney, was born in Pennsylvania, and having arrived at years 
■)f maturity married Sarah Lucas, also a native of the Keystone state. Of 
their children William Denney became the father of our subject. He was 
born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1823, and was married 
in Ohio in 1S45, to Miss Emily Melick, a daughter of James and Anna 
(Duncan) Melick, the former a native of Kentucky. At an early day 
William Denney removed from the Bucke^-e state to Green county, Wis- 
consin, and in 1859 came with his family to Kan.sas, where he has since 
resided. Both he and his wife are yet living and have enjoyed a happy 
married life of fifty-five years. Their farm is situated on Indian creek, a 
mile northwest of Geneva. They are numbered among the honored pioneer 
settlers of the Sunflower state, having resided here for forty -one y^ars, ami 



W'OODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 34 1 

they relate many interesting incidents of the earl)' development of Allen 
county when its farms were in their primitive condition, when the now 
thriving towns and villages were unfounded and when the Indians were 
still very numerous. Great changes have since occurred and they have 
borne their part in the transformation that has been wrought. 

Frank S. Denney, their sixth child, was born in Green county, Wis- 
consin, on the 28th of March, 1857, and was therefore but two years of age 
when brought by his parents to Allen county in the fall of 1859. The 
days of his youth were passed upon the home farm, and in the schools of 
Geneva he acquired his education. In 1884 he wedded Miss Alice White, 
of Colony, Kansas, a daughter of George and Mary White. Her father 
died in 1890, but her mother is still living. Mrs. Denney came to Kansas 
in 1881. 

Three years previous to his marriage our subject entered a general 
mercantile store in Colony as clerk and held the position for seven years, 
after which the stock of goods was sold and he returned to the farm, pin-- 
chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land a half mile south of Geneva. 
Here he has since made his home and is engaged in raising and selling 
cattle and hogs. He never sells any of his grain but feeds it to his stock, 
and is regarded as one of the prosperous stock raisers of this locality. He 
has been very successful and has made all that he has by his own industry 
and good judgment. 

ITnto Mr. and Mrs. Denney have been fjorn three children: Roy, 
Delta and Alta, who are still with their parents. The youngest is a bright- 
eyed little maiden of seven years and very small for her age, but she had 
the honor of winning the first prize at the Allen county oratorical contest 
held in lola in January, 1900. The best talent of the county participated, 
including men and women, and there were twelve contestants, but Alta 
Denney was awarded the prize, an unabridged dictionary valued at ten 
dollars. Her parents certainly have every reason to be proud of her. 
The family is one of promince in the community and they enjoy the warm 
regard of many friends. 



'^AR E. BENNETT — Inscribed on the roll of pioneer settlers of sonth- 
■^— ' ern Kansas appears the name of Zar E. Bennett, who came to this 
county at a very early period in its development. He was born in western 
New York, June 15, 1853, and when five years of age came with his parents 
to this State. He belongs to a family noted for longevity. His father, 
Zar Bennett, Sr. , is yet living at the age of ninety-three years, and is a 
resident of lola. He was born in Connecticut, and after arriving at years 
of maturity wedded Sarah J. Hinman, of New York, whence they removed 
to the Sunflower State in 1858. Mrs. Bennett's death was occasioned by 
accident. Her clothing caught fire and burned her badly, and this, to- 
gether with the nervous shock, terminated her life December 25. 1898, when 



342 HISTORY OK AI.I.KN AND 

she was seventy-one years of age. They had three children: Zar Iv, 
Fred S. and Leslie, both of Ida. 

The subject of this review was reared on the home farm and early be- 
gan work in the fields, assisting in the work of plowing, planting and 
harvesting. When crops were garnered in the autumn he was allowed the 
privilege of going to school, but the educational advantages in Kansas at 
that time were rather meager, owing to the unsettled condition of ihe coun- 
try, but through study in the school-room and in his leisure hours, Mr. 
Bennett prepared himself for teaching and followed that profession for five 
years, thus gaining capital sufficient to enable him to get a start in life. 

.As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Libbie 
M. Reno, a native of Indiana, the wedding being celebrated in 1S75. The 
lady is a daughter of P. G. and Lucinda (Clark) Reno, the parents being 
natives of Indiana, whence they came to Kansas during the early girlhood 
of Mrs. Bennett. They have five children now living, namely: W. C, of 
Richmond, Kansas; Mary J., wife of M. M. Hart, of lola; Mrs. Eliza Cook, 
of Oklahoma; S. D., of Kingman, and Libbie M., the honored wife of our 
subject. 

Although Mr. Bennett started out on his business career at the very 
bottom round of the ladder he has steadily worked his way upward and 
now stands on the plane of affluence. He has always followed farming 
with the exception ol a short period devoted to conducting a meat market 
in Ida. in partnership with M. M. Hart, but not being satisfied with that 
enterprise he returned to his farm on Deer Creek. Subsequently he sold 
his land in the river bottom and purchased one hundred and fifty-three and 
a half acres on Martin Creek where he has developed one of the best farms 
in Geneva township H^ has plenty of bottom land for cultivation, while 
his residence stands on an elevation, commanding an excellent view of the 
surrounding country. His home stands in the midst of richly cultivated 
fields and it is eviilent to the passerby that the owner follows progressive 
methods in his farming operations. Politically Mr. Bennett is a stalwart 
Republican and has twice served as trustee of Geneva township, leaving 
the office as he entered it with the confidence and good will of the public. 
The history of Allen County is familiar to him from pioneer days and his 
support and eo-operation have been given freely to many measures which 
have contributed toward the general good and to the upbuilding and pros- 
perity of the county. 



JAMES W. HAM.M, one of the enterprising young business men of 
Humboldt, was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 
1S65. His father, William B. Hamm, was also a native of the Keystone 
State, and was a carpenter by trade, following that pursuit for many years 
in Pennsylvania. In 1S7S he removed to Kansas, locating on a farm five 
miles northwest of Humboldt, in Woodson County, where he carried on 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 34.3 

agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was 
fifty-five years of age His widow still survives him and is now living in 
Humboldt. Slie bore the maiden name of Catharine M. Servey, is a native 
of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and was married in 1S52. By their 
union were born six children, one of whom died in childhood, while five 
are yet living, namely: Mrs. Mary Weckerly, of Yates Center, Kansas; 
John C, one of the leading attorneys of Evanston, Wyoming; Sadie, now 
Mrs. Kesterson, of Portland, Arkansas; James \V. of this review and 
Albert, who is living with his mother. 

James W. Hamm pursued his education in the public schools of Penn- 
sylvania until fourteen years of age and only attended school for six months 
after coming to Kansas. He was, however, an extensive reader of news- 
papers, and thus in the evenings, after the day's work was done, became 
familiar with the events that mark the world's history. He worked upon 
the home farm until 18S6, when, in connection with his brother, J. C. 
Hamm, he purchased the Allen County Courant. a Democratic paper pub- 
lished in lola. They continued to issue that journal for two years, when 
they sold the plant to A. C. and W. W. Scott, who removed it to Okla- 
homa and established there the Oklahoma Journal. After disposing of his 
interests in that journal Mr. Hamm spent some time in travel and was for 
a short time a resident of Kvanston. Wyoming, but in 1890 returned to 
Humboldt, and in that year was married. After his marriage he settled 
on a farm north of the city, and there still resides, giving a part of his time 
to agricultural pursuits in connection with other business affairs. He was 
for some years general agent for the Page Woven Wire Fence Company of 
Adrian, Michigan. In 1897 he engaged in the ice business, erecting a 
small plant which he operated in connection with an ice house on the bank 
of the river, the building having a capacity of seven hundred tons, which 
he fills with ice sufficient to supply a large patronage through the hot 
summer months. He has recently added to his manufacturing enterprises 
a sorghum mill and evaporator, which is operated by steam and has a 
capacity of two hundred gallons per day, also a hydraulic cider press, the 
name of the firm now being Hamm Bros. 

On the 22nd of February. 1890, Mr. Hamm vv'as united in marriage to 
Mi.ss Ella Works, a daughter of the pioneer R. M. Works. Three children 
have been born of this union: Robert, Helen and Mildred. Mr. Hamm 
votes with the Democracy, but takes no active part in politics. Socially he 
is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. The business interests of Humboldt are well 
represented by him, and whether in public or private life he is always 
a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he 
is held. 



JOHN GRIMM, who follows farming in Geneva township, was born in 
" Prussia February 5, 1839, a son of John H. Grimm, who died in the 
fatherland at the age of sev^enty-four years, while the mother also pa.s.sed 



344 HISTORY OK AI.LHN AN]> 

away in that country. Their two children, Henry and John, are both resi 
deius ot America. The latter was reared in the land of his nativity an;l 
after entering upon his business career secured a situation in an iron 
foundry where sheet iron was manufactured. He was thus employed until, 
according to the German laws, he had to enter the regular army. He was 
a member of a sharp-shooters company and remained in the service for 
seven years, but as the country was then at peace the soldiers had lit'le 
else to do but drill. One regulation of their army life was that they were 
retjuired to learn to swim, spending an hour thus each day in summer 
months and continuing the practice until they were enabled to swim across 
the River Rhine, which is a mile and a half in width. Another regulation 
was that the soldiers could not marry until they had served their seven 
years in the army. 

After being released from military .service, Mr. Grimm was united in 
marriage, in 1S67, to Miss Eliza France, and in 187 1 they came to the 
United States, casting their lot with the citizens of Allen county, Kansas. 
At the time of their arrival Mr. Grimm's cash capital consisted of only a 
few dolUrs, but he resolutely set to work and when he had earned more 
money he rented a small farm, continuing its operation for six or seven 
years, when with the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he 
purchased a small farm, to which he has added from time to time until his 
landed po.ssessions now aggregate one hundred and twenty acres. There 
were no trees upon the place, but now a beautiful grove surrounds his 
farm. He has a good residence and barn, well tilled fields and a fine 
oichard containing seventeen varieties of apples. 

Mr. Grimm served as justice of the peace of Geneva township for one 
term and then declined re-election. For about twelve year.s, however, he 
has served as school director, and the cause of education has found in him 
a warm friend. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men 
and measures of the Republican party and is veiy earnest in his advocacy 
of its principles. All that he is in life and all that he has accjnircd, are due 
to his own efforts. Though he came to America empty-handed, unfamiliar 
with the language of the people and their customs, he readily adapted him- 
self to his new surroundings, and to-day is numbered among the substan- 
tial citizens of his community. 



GliORGH McKIXLKY, agent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
Railway Company at Humboldt, is a worthy citizen of Allen county 
whose business life has been passed within its borders. He was born in 
Fairfield, county, Ohio, December 8, 1S61. He is a son of William Mc- 
Kinley who came to Allen county and settled west of Humboldt, on Owl 
creek, in i.S.So, and improved a bottom farm. His is one of the large 
bodies of cultivated land in the county and in his relation with his fellow 
countymen he has maintained himself with honor, dignity and uprightness. 
William McKinley was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1S30, and 



WOODSnX COUXTIES. KAXSAS. 345 

was the son of an Irishman by the same name. His mother was Bett}- 
Herring, born also in Ireland. They came to the United States in 1820 
and settled a farm in Ohio. They reared a family of fiv^e children to be- 
ci)me industrious and honorable men and women. When William was 
married, January 20, 185.S, he continued the occupation of his father and 
maintained a substantial and progressive establishment from the first. 
The proceeds of the sale of his Ohio home he invested in land and its im- 
provements near Humboldt and the same thrift and expansiveness which 
characterized him in the east he has maintained in the west. Mr. Mc- 
Kinley married Grace Mounts and eight of their ten children are living: 
Mary, wife of Monroe Ashbiook; George; Alice, wife of Charles E. Reeber. 
of Independence, Missouri; William, of Carlinville. Illinois; Cliarles, of 
Hutchinson, Kansas; Scott, John and Josepli, the last two with the Wells- 
Fargo Express Company at lola. 

George McKinley was almost grown when he came to H\imboldt. 
His enviroment in early life was entirely rural and his education of the 
common school sort. When he decided his fate and selected his life work 
railroading was his choice. In 1884 he entered the office at Humboldt 
under the instruction of C. E. Blackmar and learned telegraphy. His first 
position was that of operator with the Santa Fe Company at Piinceton, 
Kansas. He was employed at points on the system for some years and was 
then given charge of the Humboldt station. This position he has filled 
fourteen year^ and with what acceptibility his tenure of office will answer. 

December 29, 1885, Mr. McKinley was married to Flora Deffenbaugh, 
a daughter of Henry and Susan Deffenbaugh, of Peoria, Illinois. The 
children of this marriage are Susan, Benjamin and George McKinley, Jr. 

It would be a strange departure to announce the politics of the Mc- 
Kinleys as anything but Republican. They have ever maintained an 
interest in public affairs and their voices not infrequently respond to the 
roll-call in party conventions. 



T AMEvS M. YOUNG. — For twenty-two years James M. Young has re- 
'-' sided in Allen county and his farm in Logan township is one of the 
valuable properties in that locality. He was born in Jackson county, Ind.. 
on the 5th of December, 1840, his parents being George W. and Susanna 
(Erma) Young, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. 
When a young man the father took up his abode in the Hoosier state and, 
when our subject was a lad of ten years, removed with his family to Iowa, 
where he made his home until the spring of 1857, when he came to Allen 
county, Kansas, here making his home until his death. Mrs. Young still 
survives and is living on the old homestead. They were the parents of 
nine children, and with two exceptions all are living in Kansas. 

James M. Young spent the first ten years of his life in the state of his 
nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He 



346 



insTOKV (IF AI.I.KN AND 



came to Kansas in the fall of 1S78 and purchased a farm in the south- 
western corner of Allen county, in Logan township, on the southern 
boundry line and a mile from the western limit of the county. It was 
school-iand and he became owner ol one hundred and sixty acres. With 
characteristic energy he began its development and from time fo time ex- 
tended its boundaries until his farm now comprises two hundred and forty 
acres, constituting one of the fine farms of Logan township. A nice resi- 
dence is surrounded by beautiful shade trees, sheltering the home from the 
hot summer sun; large barns and sheds furnish protection for grain and 
stock and all the modern improvements and accessories of a modern farm 
are there found. He raises horses, cattle and hogs and feeds all of his 
grain to his stock. 

While in Iowa Mr. Young married Miss Mary Esther Turner, a native 
of Illinois, and unto them have been born four children, two of whom are 
living. W. T. Young, the elder, married Florence Schooley and resides in 
this county, while Robert O. is at home and assists his father in the opera- 
lion of the farm. In politics Mr. Young is a Democrat, voting for the men 
and measures of the party, but never seeking or desiring office, as he pre- 
fers to give his time and attention to his business affairs These have been 
carefully managed and his diligence and sound judgment have enabled 
him to accunimulate sufficient capital to cany him through the evening of 
life, whether his remaining davs be few or many. 



CH.ARLES HOUSER — On scores of farms in Kan-as are men who 
were educated in the trades. In many cases they are men who were 
high up in their occupations and able to command the best wages, but they 
preferred the free life of the farm rather than the uncertain, and oftimes 
precarious life in the factories. Among the men who lelt positions of trust 
and profit as a mechanic to found a home on the prairies of Kansas 
is Charles Houser, of Humboldt township. Born in Germany October 16, 
1.S39, he came to America in 1S64, and at once secured employment at his 
trade of cabinet maker. His ability soon secured him a good position with 
a railroad company in Buffalo, New York, where he worked for many 
years. In 1868 he moved to South Bend, Indiana, and worked at his 
trade there. Two years later he followed the great tide of immigration to 
Kansas, stopping at Humboldt. Here he resumed his trade, carefully saving 
his money and investing it in an So acre farm. For years he alternated with 
work on the farm and in the cabinet shops. He has added largely to his 
land holdings and now he has one of the splendid farms in the county. It 
consists of 320 acres of well improved land, with ample shed and stable 
room and a comfortable residence. The same careful attention to his work 
that made his services as a cabinet maker always in demand has been 
applied to the work of improving and cultivating his farm and it has brought 
him the success which such efforts always insure. 

Mr. Houser has ahv.ivs devoted much attention to the raising of 



WOODSON COUXTIHS, KANSAS. 347 

horses and in spite of the low prices which they have commanded for the 
past few years he succeeded in making the business profit-ible. To this has 
been added the raising of cattle and hogs. 

When Mr. Houser came to America the civil war was still racing and 
he was offered $r,ooo to go as a substitute for a man who had been drafted, 
but the five years he had spent in the army in his native country- » had left a 
distaste for army life which he could not overcome and the offer was de- 
clined. But he has great love for his adopted country and should they 
ever need his services as a soldier they will be cheerfully given. 

Mr. Houser was married to Louisa Wolf in Buffalo, New York, 
in November, i8f6. She is also a native of Germany. Five children 
have been born to them: Charles W., David M., Fred, Henry and 
Christiane. 

Mr. Houser has always been an earnest advocate of Republican prin- 
ciples and has always affiliated with that party except that he is nut in 
harmony with the prohibition law. 



IV /TARTIN FEELEY, one of Allen County's most prosperous farmers, 
■^^-^ was born in Lockport, New Yoik, October 24, 1854. His father 
a native of Ireland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Cox, 
also a native of Ireland, came to America in 1845 and settled in Lockport, 
where they lived until Mr. Feeley's death in 1884, at the advanced age of 
sixty-nine years. Mrs. Feeley still lives in r.,ockport. Eight children 
were born to them: Daniel, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary O'Shaunecy; 
Jennie Johnston and Anna Riley, all living in Lockport and Martin. The 
other children are deceased. 

Martin Feeley lived in Lockport, New York, until he. was twenty-five 
years old, when he moved to Indiana. Before leaving his native State he 
learned the cooper's trade at which he worked for several years, and when 
he came west he continued it. He saved money enough in New York to 
purchase a farm in the west. In 1884 he settled in Carlyle township", Allen 
County, but in the spring of 1889 he sold his farm there and purchased a 
better one near Humboldt where he has since lived. He owns 120 acres 
well improved and stocked, and everything about the farm denotes the 
presence of a careful and successful farmer. 

Before leaving New York Mr. Feeley was married to Miss Julia 
Johnston. Eleven children have been born to them, all of whom are still 
living. They are: Mary, Francis and Rhoda, living in Kansas City; MoUie, 
Daniel, Viola. Julia, Clara, Florence, Emma and Regina, all at home. 
The family have had the rare good fortune not to have had a death, nor 
any serious illness. 

In politics .Mr. Feeley has always been a Democrat, but has taken no 
active part in political campaigns. He has allowed his judgment as to the 
best man for the office to rule him. 



34 « 



IlISTOKV OF AIJ.KN AND 



T VLE A. GARRKTP — Xature has evidently intended that man shall 
J — ' enjjy a period of rest in the evening of life. In his early manhood 
lie possesses great energy, vigor, strong purpose and ambition and fears not 
the arduous labor necessary toward the ac.juirement of suc:;ass. In the 
prime of life his powers become ripened and mature, and his efforts may be 
discerningly directed along well defined lines If a man therefore im- 
proves his opportunities through the years of early and middle manhood he 
will find that in the evening of life he is the possessor of a competence 
sufficient to supply 'um with all the uecessitiei and many of the luxuries 
which make existence a pleasure. Such has been the case with Mr. 
Garrett, who is now living retired in his pleasant home in Humboldt. He 
has steadily worked his way upward and the competence that crowns his 
labors is well merited. 

A iiatiye of Ohio, he was born in Highland County, on the iSth of 
.March, in 1823, and is a son of William Garrett, whose birth occurred in 
South Carolina, in 1798, Having arrived at the age of maturity, however, 
he wedded Miss Mary Dean, a native of Pennsylvania. He had accom- 
panied his parents to the Buckeye State when ten years of age, and the 
Deans had al.so located there at an early date. The Garrett family was of 
Scotch-Irish lineage and the original American ancestors came to this coun- 
try from the north of Ireland. Many of the sterling characteristics of the 
two races William Garrett manifested in his career. He began farming in 
Ohio ill 1809 and in 1847 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he made 
his home until 1870, in which year he took up his abode in Kansas Citv, 
Missouri. He died at the home of his son in Allen County. Kansas, in 
1 8g I, at the age of ninety one years, but his wife passed away in Kansas 
Citv in iS8t, at the age of eighty years They were the parents of ten 
children, of whom four are now living, the daughters being: Mrs. Elizabeth 
El.son, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Alma Murray, of Ohio, and Mrs. 
May Evans, of Spring Hill, Kansas. 

Lyle A. Garrett, who was the eldest of the family, resided in Oiiio 
until his twenty-fourth year and was married in that State to Miss Eleanor 
B. Stevyart. Two children were there born to them. The son, Cyrus W., 
grew to manhood and became a soldier during the Civil war, serving with 
the Ei,ghth Iowa Cavalry. The mother died in Iowa in 1849, the daughter 
passing away only three days previous at the age of three years. Mr, 
Garrett was married again in 1858, his second union being with Miss Mary 
Hamilton. 

In his early business career the subject of this review followed farming 
in Ohio, and in 1847 removed from that State to Des Moines, Iowa, which 
was his place of residence until 1852. About that time the country became 
excited over the gold discoveries of California, and the fortunes that were 
rapidly acquired by men in the mines on the Pacific coast, so that our 
subject, in company with his brother and Dr. Mordice, fitted out an ox 
team of four yoke of oxen. They also had four cows, and thus equipped, 
they crossed the jilaius and mountains which lay between them and Cali- 



'K'OOD.SON COtlXTIES, KAN'SAS. 349 

foriiia. After traveling four months thes- reached their destination and Mr. 
Garrett enj;aged in mining and prospecting fonr years. He returned home 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama, riding on a train for the first time when 
making his way across the isthmus. By steamer he proceeded to Xew 
York and thence returned to his home in Iowa. He remained there until 
1867, the year of his removal to Kansas City, Missouri. In -the latter 
locality he engaged in fruit raising for twelve years. On the expiration of 
that period he came to Allen County, locating southeast of Humboldt, on a 
farm which he purchased and which he still owns, comprising five hun- 
dred and forty five acres of fine land. He carried on general farming and 
stock-raising, keeping about one hundred head of cattle and about the same 
number of hogs. In 1896, however, he put aside the arduous cares of 
business life; rented his farm, and is now spending the evening of his da\ s 
in a fine residence in Humboldt, surrounded by all the comforts and many 
of the luxuries of life. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Garrett earnestly espoused the cause of 
the Union and manifested his loyalty in 1862 by enlisting as a member of 
Company C, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry. He went into the service as a 
private, but at Vicksburg he was promoted for gallantry to the rank of first 
lieutenant. He participated in many hard fought battles, and skirmishes 
of lesser importance, the banner of his regiment being pierced by the 
bullets of twelve hotly contested engagements. He was in the siege of 
\'icksburg, the battle of Fort Gibson and Fort Spanish thirteen davs and 
nights, yet he was never wounded nor taken a prisoner. He lay in the 
trenches at Vicksburg from May 18 until July 4, 1863, getting rest and 
sleep at odd moments, and never being able to take off his clothing in all 
that time. He crossed the Gulf of Mexico on five different occasions dur- 
ing his service and was ever found where duty called, loyally defending 
the starry banner of the nation. In the fall of 1865, when the war was 
ended and the country no longer needed his services, he was discharged 
from the army in Texas. He immediately returned to his home in Iowa 
and resumed again the pursuits of civil life. 

When Mr. Garrett started out upon his business career he was the 
possessor only of a horse. His father allowed him the use of a field, free 
of rent for the first year, but from that time he made his way independent- 
ly, adding to his accumulations as the years have passed by. He has met 
many of the hardships, trials and difficulties of life, but has overcome 
these by his determined purpose. In all his business relations he has com- 
manded the confidence and good will of hisfellowmen b}^ his honorable and 
systematic methods, his force and his enteiprise. 



ROBERT M. WORKS. — Fourty-four years upon the plains of Kansas, 
more than four decades a resident of Allen cotmty and above two 
score of years a central figure in the industrial sphere of his commonwealth 



350 HISTORY OF AI.I.KN AND 

ui.irks the rocorcl ot our worthy pioneer, Robert M. Works. A litetiiue of 
intense and profitable activity along the banks of the placid Neosho and 
tile last of a race of determined and indigent pioneers express to the world 
in A few words his physical achievements. If tliere were no substantial 
rewards ior industry, it there were no appreciation for things done and 
tasks accomplished, how, then, could the world repay her planters of 
civilization and establishers of society for the hardships and misfortunes 
they have endured. Tenacity is tht chief ingredient in the mechanism of 
a typical pioneer and the few who have possessed this trait to a marked 
degree are the few who answer to roll-call after a quarter ot a century of 
prosperity and adversity, of successes and reverses, each in allopathic cases. 

The time .seems never to have been when R. M. Works was not a 
citi/en of Humboldt township. He .settled on the river near the old county 
seat at a date farther back than most men now remember — 1S57 — and be- 
gan the task of opening a farm. The most that was known then about 
Kansas soil w.is that the best land lay near the streams and in this know- 
ledge Mr. Works was particularly fortunate. His homestead all lay in the 
bottom and when its wild nature had been destroyed and the abundance of 
its yield beheld, the prosperity of its owner was no longer a subject of 
wonder. As a grain farmer and as grain producers Mr. Works and his 
broad acres are unequaled in Allen county. Awav back in the seventies 
when the prairies were settling up and when the grass-hoppers and floods 
made it impossible for tlie new men to tide over on their crop they called 
on "Uncle Robert" and p.iid him in money and in notes, a dollar a busliel 
for big white corn. There .was always one place where corn or wheat 
could be had, in the olden time, and what was tiue of that farmer then is 
true of him still. Mr. Works absorbed acre after acre of land adjoining 
him till in all fourteen hundred acres along and near the great Neosho 
X'alley represent the partial fruits of his labors. 

M eleven years of age Robert Works was thrown out upon the world 
to b.ittle with tire elements. He was left an orphan at .seven years of age 
by the deatli of his father and it was as a farm hand and at other forms of 
hard work that he started in life. He was born in Essex county, New 
York, February 20, 1831, and was a farmer's son. His father was George 
Works and his mother, who died in 18S0, was Julia CoUidge. The father 
was born in Ma.ssachusetts in 1803 and his mother's birth occurred in 1805. 
They were tlie parents of four children: George, Robert M., Clark and 
Obadiah Works. George and Clark are in ."^ew York and Obadiah is in 
Wisconsin, near Ran Claire. 

In 1S38 the Works family passed through the Erie canil bound for 
Illinois. Soon after reaching their destination the father died and the 
mother took her children b.ick to New York state. The indigency of the 
family made work necessary and placed education beyond the reach of 
young Robert. Having tasted of the western air he longed to try his for- 
tunes there and in 1855 he went into Iowa. He spent two years there in 
the employ of farmers and while there heard of Kansas. Following a de- 



WOOUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 35T 

sire to see and know the new Territory himself he came hither and "took 
n])" the best tract of land in Allen countj-. 

The first ev^ents of the Civil war found Mr. Works busy with liis new 
farm. When the L'OLintry called he was not too busy to help put down 
rebellion against the flag. The second call for troops brought him to the 
proper officer to subscribe his name and to offer his services, and his life, 
if need be, that we might be preserved a nation and not a league of states. 
He joined Company G, Ninth Kansas and was in the field three years and 
four months. The regiment's marches through Arkansas and Missouri 
and the battles and skirmishes incident thereto furnish many of the excit- 
ing remini.scences of Mr. Work's life. 

When the war ended Mr. Works returned home and was married the 
same year to Mrs. Caroline Butterfield, Two children were the result of 
this union: Julia E. , wife of James W. Hamm of Humboldt, and C. 
Wilbur Works, the active young aid to his father's large enterprises. The 
latter is married to Alice Michael and has two children. In 1872 Mr. 
Works lost his wife by death and in 1S74 he was married to Mrs. Frances 
Parker, a daughter of John Woodin. Of the four children of this marriage 
three survive, viz: Robert L., George C. and Mary Works. In June, 
1892, Mr. Works lost his second wife. 

Throughout all the years of his active, and somewhat eventful life, 
Mr. Works has maintained himself pure and righteous among men. The 
taint of suspicion or reproach has not pointed in his direction and in his 
quiet and unobtrusiv'e manner he has made and retained warm friend- 
ships at every turn. His whole life illustrates the adage that one should 
never weary of well-doing. 



T.^MESS. McKAUGHAN settled in Elm township. Allen county, in 
" 1881. He settled upon a piece of prairie land and began its cultivation 
and development with a team and a small bunch of cattle. His success is 
observable in the ownership of a half section of land, instead of a quarter as 
at first, and in the fact that his place is improved and stocked. Labor, 
alone, has brought about this gratifying condition. The element of man- 
agement, of course, is a valuable aid to industry in the accumulation of 
wealth and both these characteristics are abundantly present in the compo- 
sition of "Jim McCoin." 

Mr. McKaughan was born in Lewis county, Illinois, August 14, 1863, 
He is a son of the late Edward McKaughan who died at the home of our 
subject August 24, 1899. The latter was born in Pulaski county, Ken- 
tucky, in 1819. He w^as married there to Eliza Noflet who died in John- 
son county, Kansas, in 1880, at the age of sixty years. Their children 
are: John McKaughan, of Johnson county, Kansas; Harvey McKaughan. 
of the same county : Elizabeth, wife of Abe Larick, of Johnson count)-, 
Kansas: Eliza, wife of Levi Williams, of Butler count\-, Kansas: .Serena. 



35^ HISTORY (iK Al,I.i:.\ AND 

deceased, wife" of Spencer Sliiaii: Rlioda, wife of Hd. M<>n*j;omery, of 
Cot^eyville, Kansas; Lissie, who married J. li. Williams, of Allen county, 
and James S., our subject. 

James McKaughan was schooled in the country. He was brought up 
in Johnson county, Kansas, and received his first lessons in farming there. 
He was married in Allen county in 1884 to Rosa Mills, a daughter of 
C. K. Mills, one of the well known fanners of Deer Creek township. The 
children of this marriage are: Jay and Pklitli McKaughan. 

James McKaughan has filled an important niche in the citizenship of 
.Mien county. He has not only done his share in local development and 
improvement but in other ways has he shown his interest and pride in his 
county and patriotism on public ciuestions. He has trained with Democ- 
rac\ because he believed its policies to be best adapted to the needs (jf our 
country but a conviction to the contrary would cause him to hold personal 
interest above party and to ca.-^t his ballot accordingly. 



J .\MI{S \V. LOCKH.\RT, County Commissioner of Allen County, and 
one of the well known farmers of Humboldt township, was born in 
Mercer County, Illinois, May i, 1852. His father. Josiah Lockhart, one 
of the characters of Allen County for nearly thirty years, was born in 
Columbia, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and died in Allen County, Kansas, 
March 20, 1S94. He was married in the State of his birth to Elizabeth 
I.,emon, who died at the family homestead .\iigust 5, 1900, at eightysi.K 
years of age. 

In 1S43 Jo.siah Lockhart and wife moved into Mercer County, Illinois. 
He resided there till his advent into Kansas in 1866. He devoted his life 
to the farm and to stock and when he settled in Allen County it was three 
mile-- southeast of II'.iml)oldl that he purchased his farm. The daytime of 
his life was all activity. He was one of the old school of citizens, with 
no pretense toward religion, with little regard for sacred things and with, 
apparently, a strong belief in the doctrine of "eat, drink and be merry" in 
its literal sense. He was a conspicuous character at all public gatlierings 
and when his friend was with him he was paUicularly jocular and pointed. 

James W. Lockhart was the sixth of seven children. When of age he 
went to Texas and spent six years. He passed another year in the Indian 
Territory. He returned then to the family hearthstone and took charge of 
the farm and supported his parents and provided for their comfort in their 
decline. In 1S89 he was married to Clara Wiggins, a daughter of William 
and Sarah Wiggins. Mrs. Lockhart is a native of Pennsylvania and ac- 
companied her parents to Kansas in 1SS4. Her children are two daughters. 
Myrtle and Sylvania, respectively seven and four years of age. 

.\s a farmer Mr. Lockhart is one of the progressive and successful ones 
in his vicinity. His property he maintains in good repair and order ar.d 
his fai m is (jne of the old and attractive ones along the highway. His 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 353 

standing with his fellows is unusually high, for he maintains a business 
.•md social honor not easily assailed. It was this popularity that gave him 
the nomination for County Commissioner in 1896. Notwithstanding the 
Republican majority in his district he was elected. After a service of three 
years his worth was fully recognized and he was re-elected as the candi- 
date of the F'usionists. His official conduct has been fair and honorable 
and has been as free from partisan bias as the exigencies of the case permit. 
First of all Mr. Lockhart is an American and when it comes to matters of 
public policy in Nation or State his views coincide with modern Democratic 
ideas. He is a Democrat with a friendly feeling for other parties. 



"I \.WID T. NASH — For almost a third of a century David Thomas 
-' — ' Nash has resided in Allen County, the period of his connection with 
agricultural interests of Elm township covering thirty years. He was born 
in Delaware County, Ohio, July 18. 1839, and was the second son of 
Samuel L. and Catherine (Early) Nash. His paternal grandfather was a 
native of Ireland and located in Pennsylvania at an early daj'. Both he 
and the maternal grandfather served their country in the war of 1812. 
Samuel Nash was born in Pennsylvania in 1801. Going to the South he 
became overseer of slaves on a Kentucky plantation, and while in that 
State he married Miss Early, a relative of General Early, of Civil war 
fame. Subsequently he removed to Ohio, and there reared his family upon 
a farm in Delaware County. He had two sons and two daughters, David 
T. ; Henry, a resident of Delaware County, Ohio; and Mrs. Amanda 
Gregory and Mrs. Anna Hall, who are also living in that county. 

Upon the home farm David T. Nash aided in the labors of field and 
meadow until he had attained his majority, when he responded to the 
country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion, and enlisted as a member 
of Company C, of the Fourth Ohio Infantry. He served for three years 
and three months and was ever found at his post of duty, loyally defending 
the stars and stripes. His regiment was organized under Colonel 
Andrews who three months later was succeeded in the command by 
Colonel Mason. It was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. 
Nash participated in twenty-one engagements. On one occasion he could 
easily have shot General Robert E. Lee, but not daring to expose himself 
he remained concealed until the General had passed by. In 1864 he was 
mustered out of the service and with a creditable military record returned 
to his home. He continued farming in Ohio until 1870, when he came to 
Kansas. After spending a year in Ida he located upon his present farm in 
Elm township, and has since devoted his time and energies to the further 
cultivation and improvement of his land. His home is presided over by a 
most estimable lady, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Louisa E. 
Gunn. She was born in Edwards County, Illinois, in 1845, a daughter of 
Tyler and Jemima (Root) Gunn, the former a native of Massachusetts. 



i54 



HISTORY OF AI.I.KN AN!) 



Their three childreh are: Mrs. Nash; Heiir\-, ol Perkiiis\iUe, Indiana, and 
Nelson B., of Elmvvood, Indiana. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nash 
was celebrated in 1865, and unto thenl have born born seven children: 
Mrs. Rosa E. Walker, of Coffey ville, Kansas; Mrs. Ada Lemaster, of 
Carlisle, Kansas; Samuel L., a locomotive engineer, of Springfield, Ohio: 
Mrs. Ida F. Ellison, of Dre.xel, Missouri; Mary E.; Lulu Pearl and Nelson 
Ray, both at home. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, 
to which Mr. Nash has belonged for eighteen years, while his wife has 
been a member for nearly forty years. For five years he served as trustee 
ot Elm township. His long continuance in that office indicates his faithful 
service and the confidence reposed b,>- his fellow townsmen in his ability 
and tu>trworthiness. 



BENJAMIN L. WALLIS— The arrival of few of the citizens of Allen 
County antedates that of Mr. Wallace who came to it in 1856, locat- 
ing north of lola. In the years of his residence here he has watched with 
interest the progress of events which have placed this county on a par with 
many counties of the older east and to measures which have contributed to 
the material upbuilding and substantial development of the community he 
has given endorsement and support. 

A native of Virginia he was born 'in Lee County, in 1833. His 
paternal grandfather emigrated from Scotland to the Old Dominion at an 
early day and the maternal grandfather left h.is home in Holland to take up 
his abode in the new world when Virginia was a part of the colonial 
possessions of England in America. The parents of our subject were both 
born in Lee County in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and in 
1834 removed to Indiana, locating on a farm where they spent their re- 
maining days. 

Benjamin L. WaJlis spent his boyhood days in hard work upon his 
f:Uher's farm and as he lived in a new settlement he had but limited oppor- 
tunity to secure an education. He learned the carpenter's trade and in 
1856 came to Kansas. Here he followed carpentering for six years, and in 
1862 he returned to Indiana, there to enter his country's service as a mem- 
ber of the Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, which was attached to the Western 
army. He served under Generals Hovey and McClarran, and participated 
in many important engagements, including the battles of New Madrid, Fort 
Pillow and St. Charles. In 1864 he was mustered out of the service. 
During the term of his enlistment he was always found at his post of duty, 
faithfully defending the old flag. 

In 1865 Mr. Wallis was united in marriage to Miss Sophia 
McCool, whose parents were born and reared in Ohio, and removed 
to Indiana in the early '50s. Mrs. Wallis has two brothers, 
Jacob and John, who are married' and reside with their families in 
Fountain Countv, Indiana. Mr. Wallace also has two brothers, John and 



WUODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 355 

Henry, who, with their families, reside in the Hoosier State. His sisters 
are Mrs. Louisa Grubbs, a widow now living in Muncie, Indiana; Susan 
McKiiiley, also of Muncie, and Mrs. Nellie Shipley, of Tippecanoe County. 
Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. W'allis have five children: William'C, who is 
with his parents; Scott A., blacksmith in LaHarpe, and is married; Charles 
B. , who is a member of the Thirty-fifth regiment of United States Volun- 
teers, in the Philippines: Mrs. Emma Morrison of Moran, and Mrs. Gertie 
Wooten, who is living near lola. 

For a number of years after his return from the war, Mr. Wallis 
resided in Indiana, but like most people who have once lived in Kansas, 
he desired to return to the Sunflower State, and in 1879 took up his abode 
once more in Allen County. He puichased a farm south of LaHarpe and 
although it was then a tract of open prairie, he made it one of the best im- 
proved farms in the county, continuing its cultivation until February, 1899, 
when he put aside the more arduous duties of farm life and moved to La- 
Harpe. He is a staunch advocate of the Populist party, and since his 
boyhood days has been a consistent member of the Christian church. His 
advancement in the business world has resulted from his own energy, 
prompted by a laudable ambition, and his prosperity has been well and 
worthilv achieved. 



A RCHIBALD J. FULTON. M. D., of lola, Kansas, was born on the 
-^""^ i8th day of October, 1847, o" ^^^ father's farm, near Port Stanley, in 
the county of Elgin, Ontario, Canada. His father, Samuel Fulton, was 
born at Ballmaena and educated in Belfast, Ireland. His mother, Jean 
(McDearmid) Fulton, was born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland. The 
two families emigrated to western Canada in an early day, where Samuel 
Fulton and Jean McDearmid were married, purchased heavily timbered 
lands, chopped, logged, cleared and cultivated the same, at a time when 
their machinery consisted of the cradle, hand-rake and flail and they were 
obliged to travel sixty miles by ox wagon to have their wheat ground into 
flour. Yet they labored successfully and lived to see their neighborhood 
populate and flourish. To them were born five sons and one daughter. 
Of these, three sons, John Fulton, Andrew L. Fulton and Archibald J. 
Fulton, took up the profession of medicine and surgery. Dr. Jolin Fulton 
(now deceased) was professor of surgery in Trinity Medical College, of 
Toronto, Canada, for many years and was rightly considered at the head 
of his profession in Canada. He had taken degrees in London, Edin- 
burgh. Paris, Heidleburg and Berlin. Dr. Andrew L. Fulton gratuated at 
Trinity Medical College of Toronto, Canada, and Bellevue Hospital Med- 
ical College of New York City. He has been professor of surgery in the 
Kansas City Medical College, of Kansas City, Missouri, for a number of 
years, and for two years has been dean of the faculty of that college. 

Dr. A. J. Fulton grew to manhood under the healthful enviroment of 



356 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXIJ 

a country life, and after receiving the education obtainable at the country 
log school house in those early days he took a course in the Loudon (Cin- 
ada) Commercial College and graduated m class A in 1866. He then be 
gan the stndy of medicine and surgery under the able guidance of his 
brother, Dr. Andrew L. Fulton, spending one session in Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College, of New York, and giaduating from Jefferson Medical 
College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in March, 1874. He imiuediatel} 
began the practice of medicine at l^niontown, Bourbon county, Kaubs, but 
after a few months, in the fall of 1874, he removed to lola, Kansas. On 
the 5th day of May, i38o, he was married to Miss Mary J. Pickell and to 
them were born two sons, Fred Robert and Harold John Fulton 

For eleven years Dr. Fulton discharged the duties of Pension Ex- 
aminer. First receiving the appointment as a single examiner and after- 
ward, under the administrations of Presidents Harrison and Cleveland, he 
was one of the three members of the board, first acting as president and 
lastly as secretary of the board. He was elected coroner of Allen county, 
Kansas, in November, 1885, and succeeded himself in 1887, holding the 
office for four consecutive years. He served the City of lola as councilman 
for two consecutive years. In 1898 he was elected a member of the Board 
of Education and was chosen president of that body for two consecutive 
years. In 1897 he received the appointment of surgeon to the Missouri 
Pacific Railway Company and is still in the discharge of the duties of that 
office. 

In fraternal matters he has held continuous membership in the order 
of A. F. & A. M. since twentv one vears of age; is at this time a member of 
the M. W. of A.. R. N. of A.', K. ^S: L. ot S., A. O. U. W. and the Triple 
Tie Benefit Association. 



T PARSONS. — Not only has the subject of this sketch seen Allen 
-'— '• county grow from a comparatively wild district with only a few 
white inhabitants, to a rich agricultural country containing thousands of 
good homes and many thriving towns, inhabited by an industrious, pros- 
perous and progressive people, but he has participated in and assisted with 
persistent work the development which was necessary to produce the 
change that has placed this county among the foremost in the connnon- 
wealth. For many years he was identified its with agricultural interests, but 
is now living retired, although he still makes his home upon his farm. 

Mr. Parsons was born in Hamilton cotinty, Indiana, on the 8th of 
August, 1838. His father, Jonathan Parsons, was a native of V'irginia, 
and during his boyhood removed to Ohio, whence he made his way to 
Indiana. In that state he married Miss Sarah Flanagan, a native of Ken- 
tuckv. Throughout his life he engaged in farming, making it a source of 
livelihood for his family. He died in Kansas in 187 1, at the age of sixty- 
seven vears, while visiting his son, and his wife, long surviving him, 



WOODSON COrXTIES, KANSAS. 357 

passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-four. They were the parents ol 
thirteen children, of whom seven are now living, natnelj-: Peter, who 
makes his home in Ashland, Dakota, L. . of this review; Marj', the wife of 
Richard Healey; Ephraim: John^ Frank, and America Hines. 

Mr. Parsons, of this review, spent the first seventeen years of his life 
under the parental roof in Indiana. He then went to Minnesota with his 
parents where he remained for three years and then returned to Indiana. 
The year iSjo- witnessed his arrival in Kansas, and with the interests of 
Allen county he has since been a.ssociated. He located two miles east of 
Savonburg, pre-empted eighty acres of laud and afterward secured one 
hundred and sixty acres. At a later date he again extended the boundaries 
of his farm so that it now comprises three hundred and five acres of arable 
land. It was a tract of raw prairie when he took possession of it, but with 
characteristic energy he began its development and soon transformed the 
wild place into richly cultivated fields which brought to him a good income 
as the years passed b\-. Thus he gained a comfortable competence which 
now enables him to live retired, his toil in former years supplying him 
with a capital sufficient to meet all his wants at the present time. 

On the 22nd of December, 1864, Mr. Parsons was united in marriage 
to Miss Phoebe Fausset, a native of Indiana, who proved to him a faithful 
companion and helpmate on the journey of life for more than a third of a 
century, but in 1900 they were separated by death, Mrs. Parsons being 
called to the home beyond on the 29th of June, of that year, at the age of 
fifty-nine. Eight children had been born to them, namely: John F. , who 
is now a resident of Oklahoma Territory; C. X., who is a teacher in Bethel 
College, at Xewtoi;, Kansas: W. J., who is a graduate of the State Normal 
of Texas; James M., Ora and O. H.. all at home; A.C., who is engaged in 
teaching in the home school in Allen county, and is also a Xornial and 
Business .College graduate; and Flora, the wife of Elmer Price, who resides 
near the family homestead. 

Mr. Parsons evercises his right of franchise in support of men and 
measures of the Democracy, but has never sought the honors or emolu- 
ments of public office. He has been an ardent supporter of educational 
institutions and has lived to see three of his sons, C. X., W. J. and A. C, 
finish their college courses. He has kept super\-ision over the doings of 
his farm that it may be alwaj^s properly conducted. He is engaged in 
stock raising and his keen discrimination in business affairs and his un- 
flagging industry made him one of the well-to-do citizens of the community. 



TTEXRY F. RICE, one of the early settlers of Kansas, was born in 
-*- -•- Marion county, Kentucky, August 1816. At an early age he went 
with his parents to the southern part of Illinois and helped to cut and hew 
the logs that built a cabin for a home for the family in that heavily tim- 
bered country. There were no school ad%-antages except subscription 



35S FflSTOKY OF ALLKX AXT7 

schools ami our subject only received about six months schooling in his- 
life. Add to this the home instruction and he came to maturitv with a 
good practical education. When about twenty-five years of age he mar- 
ried Miss Mar\- K. Thompson, of Hopliinsville. Kentucky, and settled 
near Marion, in that state. He and his wife were devoted members of the 
Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Rice was a stone-mason by trade, but lived upon the farm. He 
and his wife lived happily together for twelve years, when" death claimed 
her. Mr. Rice conceived that it would be better to take his little ones to 
his widowed mother and both give and receive help and comfort, and so 
taking the two oldest children, seven and nine years old, on horseback 
they started on their journey of sixty miles. He singing "Guide me. Oh 
though great Jehovah. Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak. 
But Thou art mighty: hold me with thy powerful hand." 

-After passing through many trials and misfoi tunes his family were 
beginning to scatter. The father's love was so strong as to keep him with 
them thirty years. He remarried and some years afterward sold his beau- 
tiful home in Illinois, gathered his family together and emigrated to Kan- 
sas. In May, 1867, six covered wagons drove up and halted near Rufus 
Perkins' home in lola, (now known as Mrs. Canatsey's). .\fter stopping 
there a few days to look around Mr. Rice bought the Barry farm about 
five miles south of lola. Reaching Kansas the year after the grass-hoppers 
came (in i8f6) times were very hard, but the brave man who had endured 
so much only laughed at the discouragements which made others despond- 
ent and leave the country. By lending a hand here and giving a kind, 
encouraging word there and more substantial help to those who needed he 
endeared himself to those who knew him. The last fifteen years of his 
life were spent on his Kansas farm in the company of his single daughter. 
Miss Saiah Rice. He was public spirited, generous hearted and an earnest 
consistent Chiistian. helping in all good works. He died at his home in 
June, 1880, of heart failure, leaving three children: Miss Sarah Rice, 
afterwards Mrs. Sarah Toop, of Ulyses, Nebraska: .Mrs. .M. J. Barth. of 
lola, and C. .M. Rice, of Bentonville, Arkansas. The remains were laid to 
rest in the lola cemetery. 



JOHN G. Kl'IN'VGX, who is the owner of one of the good farms of .\llen 
County, and is now engaged in the livery business in lilsmore, was 
born in Rhode Island, October 7, 1840. In that State he remained until 
eighteen vears of age where he removed to Wisconsin, residing for four 
ye'ars. Returning to the State of Rhode Island he remained for two years. 
He was married in Filmore County. Minnesota, of which State he had al- 
ready become a resident, on the 4th of May 1S61, to Miss Elizabeth H. 
Larkin, also a native of Rhode Island. In December. 1861, in response to 
the call of the President, he enlisted in the Union army for three years. 



WOODSON COrXTIES, KANSAS. 



359 



On reaching St. Louis, however, he was taken ill and later, was discharged 
on account of disability after one year's service. 

Returning then to Minnesota Mr. Kenyon engaged in farming until 
i866 when he removed to Hrookfield, Missouri where he resided until 1870. 
That year witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He took up his abode on a 
farm of three hundred and twenty acres, located in the southeastern part of 
Elsmore township and for nineteen years continued its cultivation, making 
his home thereon until 1889. when he came to Elsmore and established his 
livery stable which he has since conducted with great success. He has 
been a prominent factor in the public affairs of the town, serving as post- 
master under President Harrison. For about fifteen years he has served as 
justice of the peace and his decisions have ever been fair and impartial, 
winning him golden opinions from all classes of people. 

In 1897 Mr. Kenyon was called upon to mourn the lo^s of his wife, 
who died on the 23rd of July of that year, at the age of fifty-six. She had 
many warm friends and her death was therefore widely mourned. They 
never had any children, but reared an adopted daughter, Daisy, who is 
now at home with her father, a young lady of seventeen years. Mr. 
Kenyon exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures 
of the Republican partj-, and has ever manifested the same loyal spirit of 
citizenship that he displayed when in 1861 he offered his services to the 
g^overnment in defense of the stars and stripes. 



1^ 'RIC D. ERICSOX, who is numbered among the prosperous and self- 
-'— ' made men of Elsmore township, Allen Count}-, was born of Swedish 
parentage in Knoxville, Kno.x County, Illinois, on the 2nd of November, 
1855. He is a son of Ole and Elna Ericson, both of whom were natives of 
Sweden, whence they came to America in 1852, locating in Knoxville. In 
their family were nine children, of whom Eric D. is the fourth in order of 
birth. He was reared in the place of his nativity and during his boyhood 
pursued his education in the common schools. He worked at home until 
nineteen years of age and then started out in life for himself, securing em- 
ployment as a farm hand. He also worked in coal mines, giving his time 
to those two pursuits until he had secuied a capital of about five hundred 
dollars. Believing that this might be profitably invested in the west, in 
the spring of 1S83, in company with his brother Jo.seph, he came to Kansas, 
locating first in Bourbon County, where he rented a farm for one year. In 
18S4 he came to Allen County and in connection with his brother 
purchased a league claim. He gave all of his money for the property and 
soon aterward found that he had no title to the land, nor could he acquire 
one. He thus lost all that he had paid. Such an experience would have 
utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute spirit, but with a de- 
termined purpose and a strong heart he set to work to retrieve his lost 
posse.ssions. Again buying that tract of land, with characteristic energy he 



^6o HISTORY OI- AI.I.KX AND 

commenced improviiit; it, erected a good residence, planted shade trees and 
otlierwise added to the vahie and attractive appearance of the place. He 
today owns three hnndred and twenty acres, and the rich, productive soil 
yields to him excellent returns for the labor he bestows upon it. The 
entire farm is improved and much of the ^ra'in he raises he feeds to his 
stock, which upon the market finds a ready sale. 

On the i2th of April, 1SS3, Mr. liricson was united in marriage 
to Miss Jennie Freeburg, who was born in Sweden, on the 3tst of May, 
1863, and came to America with her parents when five years of age. She 
is a daughter of John and Ingar Freelnirg, who crossed the Atlantic to the 
new world in 1869, settling near Paxton. Illinois, whence they came to 
Kansas in iS.S^. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ericson has been blessed 
with five children: Hattie, George, Alvin. Harley and Earl, aged respective- 
ly sixteen, fifteen, ten, eight and four years. Mr. Ericson is a member 
of the A. O. U. W. at Elsmore, and of a mutual insurance com- 
pany at Galesburg, Illinois. He is also a stockholder in the State Bank of 
Klsmore and is at present one of the directors of that institution. In poli- 
lies he is a I'opnlisl, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to 
give his attention to his business affairs. He has served as a school officer 
for a number of years and the cause of education in his district has found 
in him a warm friend. Otherwi.se he h.as held no other political prefer- 
ments, for the work of the farm claims his industry and enterprise. How- 
ever, he has met with reverses, but has overcome all the difficulties and 
obstacles in his path by a resolute will and unflagging perseverance, and 
today he is classed among the substanial agriculturists of his adopted 
countrv. 



Ji;SSK F. DlvCKlvR, of IClsmore, Allen county, editor, merchant and 
politician, has, through these and other channels of public intercourse, 
acquired a promince and a leadership in cistern Allen county which be- 
speak for him the confidence of his fellow townsmen. This confidence and 
regard he has merited and drawn to himstlf in the brief period of eight 
years, for he has been a resident of Allen county only since 1892. Being 
born so close to the county line and being a son of one of Allen county's 
pioneers Mr. Decker is almost entitled to be regarded as one of our old 
citizens. He was born in Xenia, Bourbon county, September 10, 1865. 
He is a son of ex-County Treasurer M. L. Decker, of lola, and at the age 
of six years was taken into Leavenworth county, Kansas, and there resided 
during his youth and was there educated in the common schools. On 
coming of age he returned to his birthplace and engaged as a clerk in the 
store of his uncle, John Decker. For two years he was so employed and 
then opened a store on his own account. In April 1S88, he was appointed 
postmaster at Xenia, but resigned after some months' service to better 
look after other business. In 1892 he dispo.sed of his stock and business 



WOODSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. 36 r 

Jiiifl, after some prospecting, located in Ivlsniore where he opened a general 
store in June of that year. In February, 1897, he sold his business ar.d 
engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business. This year he was 
appointed post-master at Elsmore which position he still occupies. In 
I goo he reengaged in the mercantile business and his is one of the con- 
spicuous and popular enterprises in Elsmore. 

In February, i.'-igg, Mr. Decker purchased the "Elsmore Enterprise," 
a weekly newspaper devoted to the interests of Elsmore and Allen county 
and a publication with a strong declaration of Republican principles. 
With the active management of this journal, with the supervision of the 
mail matters of Elsmore and with the conduct of his general store Mr. 
Decker manages to keep fairly busy. 

.Mr. Decker's interest in the development of Allen county is a matter 
of public notoriety. When there is anything proposed for the good of the 
town if he is not at the head he is alvvaj-s in. If some important move is 
on foot touching the welfare of his community and requiring tact and 
ability to execute Jesse Decker is one to help do the work. In anj' part of 
our countv when a bit of inf)rmation is wanted at Elsmore or some im- 
portant work :o be done it is usually Jesse Decker who is asked to do it. 

A Republican convention finds Mr. Decker always with his working 
clothes on. He is rarely absent from any meeting of his party committee 
or convention and the delegation from "North Elsmore" honors him with 
its chairmanship on every occasion that he will accept it. For a number 
of years he has represented his precinct on the County Committee and in 
1900 was one of the assistants to the .secretary of the committee. 

Mr. Decker was married November 14, iS.Sg, to Miss Nellie Steven- 
son and May 18, 1890, Mrs. Decker died. June 17. I'Sgi, Mr. Decker 
married Miss Sadie Cutter, of .A.llen county. Their children are: Nellie, 
Ruth, Martin and Je.sse Decker. 

Mr. Decker is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at vSavonburg 
and to the Scottish Rite bodies at Fort Scott, a member of some of the 
popular insuiance societies and holds advanced and progressive opinions 
on all public questions. 



/'^ARL A. REYNOLDS— Among the newspaper fraternity of Allen 
^-^ County is the editor of the Savonburg Record, Carl A. Reynolds. 
He is one of the self-made men of our day and has risen from comparative 
obscurity to a position of importance and usefulness in a community of in- 
telligent and progressive citizens. 

.Mr. Reynolds was born in vShelby County, Iowa, August 14, 1876, and 
is a son of Frank Reynolds and Martha Whitinger. His parents were 
born in Indiana and his widowed mother resides with our subject in 
Savonburg. 

Carl Reynolds was left fatherless in 1880 and was forced by that event 



7,62 IirSTOKV OI- ALLKN AND 

to make some effort towiird the support of the family very earlv in life. He 
went to the printers trade at eleven years of age, and while his days were 
given to his employer, his nights were spent over school books, acquiring 
an education He learned his trade in Iowa, and upon its completion, went 
to Chicago where he was employed in some of the large print shops of the 
city. He drifted about the city in this way and finally reached the great 
establishment of Rand. McNally & Company. He spent three year.s in the 
service of this company and laid by his net earnings. Longing for a busi- 
ness of his own he returned west in the expectation of coming against a 
location. He went to work on the Vates Center Advocate in 1896 and 
during his stay there made a visit to Savonburg which led to his locating 
there. He laid in a supply of the best material, type, press and other 
paraphernalia, and April i, 1898, he founded and i.ssued the first copy of 
the Savonburg Record. The general business of his office has met his 
expectation. His editorial efforts are appreciated and encouraged with a 
satisfactory subscription list and the job work department is meeting the 
demands of its patrons with artistic work on a paying basis. 

Mr. Reynolds was married June 26, 1900, to Carol E. Kimbell. of 
Yates Center, Woodson County, and a daughter of R. Kimbell. 

Mr. Reynolds is one of four children, viz.: Oscar Reynolds, of Harlin, 
Iowa; E. A. Reynolds, of Chicago and Mrs. F. P Taylor, of Savonburg. 

In politics our subject is radical in support of the administration of 
President McKinley. His training and political associations have been 
Repul)lican and his paper is one ot the political educators of Allen County. 



T EWIS HUFF, JR., is actively connected with business affairs in Els- 
-'— ' more township, Allen Couutv. as a farmer, contractor and builder. 
He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, July 3, 1S46, his parents being 
Lewis and Elizabeth Huff. The father is a native of Virginia and when 
seven years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio wheie 
he resided for about forty years. In 1S70 he came to Kansas, settling in the 
southeastern portion of Allen County, near the southern boundary line, and 
upon the old homestead he is still liv.in.g at the advanced age of eighty-six 
years, a venerable and highly respected gentleman. His wife died in 1S94 
at the age of seventy-four. They were the parents of ten children, nine of 
whom are living, while eight of the number are sons. The record is as 
follows: S. S., of Fort Scott, Kansas; \V. T. , who is living in Buffalo, 
Kansas; T. G., whose residence is near Savonburg: Lewis: Sylvester, a 
practicing physician o( Mound \'alley, Kansas; Pleasant, the wife of D. 
Freed; Albert, of Allen County; Joseph, lives in Baldwin, Kansas, and 
Martin, who is living in Allen County. Four of the sons were soldiers in 
the Union army and their record is one of which the family has every 
reason to be jiroud. 

Lewis Huff Tr. , whose name introduces this review, was reared and 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 363 

educated in Ohio, and after arriving at the years of maturity he wedded 
Miss Mary S. Hodges, a native uf that State. In 1865, when eighteen years 
of age, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member (A 
Company B, One Hundred and Niuety second Ohio Infantry, in which he 
served for nine months, when he was honorably discharged, for the war 
was ended and the stars and stripes floated over the capital of the southern 
Confederacy. 

Mr. Huff contined to make his home in the Buckeye State until tlie 
spring of 1870 when he came to Kansas and secured a claim in Neosho 
County, a mile and a half .south of Savonburg. He there resided for six 
years, continuing the operation and improvement of the land, after which 
he sold the property and secured another claim, including the site of Savon- 
burg. To the development and cultivation of that tract he devoted his 
time for about six or seven years vv.ien he agiin dispa^sd of the property 
and bought a farm two miles east, living thereon until he sold and removed 
to Fort Scott. In that city he began work at the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed for five years, when he returned to Allen County and purchased 
ten lots in Savonburg. He erected three houses which he afterward 
sold and next purchased a farm half a mile south of town and built 
thereon a good residence. He has improved his little farm and at the 
same time has continuously followed carpentering, doing a good business 
as a contractor and builder. He has erected more houses tlian any other 
man in Savonburg, and in other portions of the county stand buildings 
which are monuments to his skill, thrift and enterprise. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Huff have been born four children: Nora Huff; 
lilva, the wife of Ed Belcher, of Kansas City, Missouri; Winifred C, who 
died at the age of sixteen years, and Elmer M., at home. Mr. Huff be- 
longs to Savonburg Camp, No. 1271. M. W. A. In his political affiliations 
he is a Republican, warmly espousing the cause of the party. A life of 
industry and honesty has brought to him gratifying success. With no 
special advantages in his youth, with nothing but a determined 
purpose and willing hands to aid him as he started out for himself, he has 
worked his way steadily upward ani today is known as one of the sub- 
stantial and reliable citizens in his portion of Allen County. 



rOHN H. SMITH is a well known merchant of Allen County, aiding in 
" the successful conduct of a large enterprise in Savonburg where his 
labors have brought him prominence in connection with commercial pur- 
suits. A native of the Hoosier State, his birth occurred in Dearborn 
County, Indiana, on the 17th of April, 1869, and he is a son of O. H. 
.Smith who is represented elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood days 
were spent upon the home farm and from the time of early spring planting 
until the crops were harvested in the autumn he assisted in the work of the 
fields. In the winter months he was a student in the common schools and 



364 HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

liuis his time was passed until his fifteenth year, when he left Indiana with 
his parents and caiue to Kansas. He continued under the parental roof 
until he was eighteen years of age w^hen he became a student in the 
academy at Parsons, and later he completed his education in the Sedalin 
Business College, in which he was graduated with the class ol 1890. 

Mr. Smith taught school for two years and then entered the grocer\' 
and queeuswarc busini^ss in St. Paul, Neosho Countv, in connection with a 
Mr. Post. This relationship was maintained for a short time and then Mr. 
Smith entered into partnership with his father, under the firm name of 
Smith & Son. They have since been associated in business and continued 
thtfir enterpri.S'.i in St. Paul until 1S95 when they came to Savonburg, 
enlarging their field of operations by adding a stock of general merchandise. 
By the admis-ion of the second son of the family the firm s^tyle has been 
changed to Smith & Sons. They carry a very large stock of merchandise 
which is displayed in two large storerooms and they also have a branch 
store at Elsmore under the control of Frank E. Smith, the youngest 
partner. Their business now- amounts to forty or fifty thousand dollars 
annually and is constantly growing under the capital management of the 
partners, who are reliable business men. 

Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Irene Blake on the 27th of 
December, 1.396. She is a native of Bartholomew^ County, Indiana, and a 
daughter of Allen and Lettie Blake of that county, who came to Kansas 
with their family in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one little daughter, 
Eva May, who is two years of age. He is a prominent church and Sab- 
bath school worker and is superintendent of the M. E. Sunday School of 
Savonburg, which position he has held for the past five years. Mr. Smith 
is a member of the Odd Fellows society in Savonburg and has filled all the 
chairs in the order. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America 
in which he has served as clerk for a number of years, and of the Royal 
Nieighbors he is a representative. He is one of the prominent supporters 
of the Republican party in this portion of the State and a member of the 
county central committee. He keeps well informed on the i.ssues of the 
day and is in hearty sympathy with the administration. He has entered 
upon a prosperous era in his business career, and although a young man he 
has already won success that would be creditable to one many years his 
senior. He is favorabl}- located, his store being situated in the midst of a 
rich farming community. His genial manner, courteous and obliging dis- 
position have gained him the respect of all with whom he is associated, have 
made him many friends and won him a liberal patronage. 



1 \R. WILLIAM LITTLEJOHN. whose prestige as a medical practi"- 
-' — ' tioner is an unmistakable evidence of his ability, was born in Scot- 
laud, on the 20th of August, 1864. His father. James Littlejohn, was also 
a native of the land of hills and heather, as was his wife, who bore the 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3(55 

■iiiaiden name of Elizabeth Walker Scott. The father was a uiiaister of the 
■old-school Presbyterian church, and devoted his entire life to that holy 
■calling. In 1S96 he came to America to visit his children who had pre- 
ceded him to the new world, and died in Missouri in the winter of 1899, ^t 
the age of sixtj'-nine years. His widow still survives him, and now re- 
sides in Chicago with her sons. They had eight children, of whom five 
are now living, namely: William, of this review; John Martin, a promi- 
nent medical practitioner of Chicago; James B., who held the position of 
surgeon under the British government five years; and David, who is also 
a member of the medical fraternitj-; and Elizabeth M., wife of Thomas 
Anthony, a resident of England. 

Dr. Littlejohn, whose name introduces this record, was reared and 
educated in Scotland, and was afforded excellent educational privileges, 
studying both theology and medicine in the Glasgow University. He was 
ordained to preach the gospel in 1S86, and in 1888 came to America, set- 
tling in Iowa, where he was engaged to fill the pulpit of some of the best 
churches in that state. In 1895 he came to Kansas to accept the pastorate 
■of the church in Denison, Jackson county, where he remained for four 
years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Topeka. Having 
his degree of M. D. and his diploma from the Glasgow University, he then 
gave up the ministry and after taking a post-graduate course of study 
entered upon the practice of medicine in Topeka, where he remained three 
years. Since that time he has resided in Savonburg, and his patronage is 
all that he can conveniently attend to. His ability, both natural and ac- 
quired, well fits him for the responsible duties of one who devotes his life 
to the restoration of health and to the alleviation of human sufferings. 

Dr. Littlejohn was married in Iowa to Miss Maggie A. Orr, of Medi- 
apolis, a daughter of William M. and Catherine Orr. The Doctor and his 
wife now have two children: Catherine Elizabeth and James Martin. 
They are members of the United Presbyterian church, and the Doctor 
belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ro3'al Neighbors, at 
Savonburg. He is a man of scholarly attainments, of broad culture and of 
strong mentality, and his thorough preparation for his cho.sen calling well 
qualifies him for the successful practice of medicine. 



JOHN O. NYMAN occupies a leading position in business circles in 
^ Savonburg. He wa-j born in Clay county, South Dakota, on the 
r4thofJune, 1873, and is the second son of August and Matilda Nyman, 
who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the 
sketch of C. W. Nynian. In 1877 he came with his parents to Allen 
county, bsing then but four years of age, and was reared on the home faira , 
early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of 
the agriculturist. 

Mr. Nyman entered upon an independent business career with little 



366 HISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

cipital, becoming a real estate, loan and insurance agent at Savonburg,. 
l>ut his patrona.^e has stea'iily increased, and he has conducted some im- 
portant real estate transactions and made some judicious ana profitable 
investments (or hiniself. His business qualifications are such that he has 
already won a good competence, and his friends predict for him a very suc- 
cessful future. He has become one of the directors and stockholders in the 
Sdvonburg State Bank, owns the building in which the bank is located, 
and has several lots in Savonburg, together with his residence. 

On Christmas day of 1S95 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Nyman 
and Miss Ella Morgan, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of George M. 
and Rebecca Morgan of Neosho county. They now have a little daughter 
of one year, named lone. Mr. Nyman is prominent in fraternal circles. 
He belongs to the blue lodge of Masons at Savonburg, and has attiined 
the thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory at Fort 
Scott, Kansas, and is a member of Abdallah Temple, Leavenworth, Kan- 
sas, Ancient Arabis Ordei Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs 
to Savonburg Lodge, No. 467, L O. O. F., and Savonburg Camp. No. 
1 27 1. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican 
party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good gov- 
ernment. Almost his entire life has been jxissed in Allen county, and 
that many of his friends are numbered among those who have known him 
from boyhood is an indication that his career has ever been an honorable 
one. 



ANDREW J. McCLUNG. — Virginia, which was the first settled colony 
in the new world, has sent forth its representatives to every .state in 
the Union, its sons having aided in founding the many great common- 
wealths which go to make up the nation. Among those who claim the 
Old Dominion as the state of their nativity i.-; Andrew J. McClung, an es- 
teemed resident of Allen county, his home being in Elsmore township. 
He was lx)rn in the Shenandoah Valley in Augusta county, Virginia, on 
the 28th of March, 1841. His father, Samuel McClung, was a native of 
Rockbridge county, that state, while the mother of oui subject, who bore 
the maiden name of Margaret Haffner, was born in the Shenandoah Valley. 
For a number of years alter their marriage they remained on the Atlantic 
coast, but in 1852 sought a home in the Mississippi valley, taking up their 
abode in Illinois, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying 
on the 3rd of April, 1891, when seventy-six years of age. His wife sur- 
vived him until 1896 and passed away at the advanced age of eighty-two 
vears. They were the parents of four children of whom three are now 
living: Granville, who resides in Astoria, Illinois; Mrs. M. E. Merrill 
who resides near the same town; and Andrew J., who is the first in order 
of birth. 

T.irough the first eleven years of his life Mr. McClung of this review 



WOODSON COUN'TIF.S, KANSAS. 367 

remained in Virginia and then accompanied his parents on their removal to 
Illinois in 1S52. There he pursued his education in the common schools 
and after putting aside his text-books he entered the school-room as a 
teacher, following that profession through the winter months, while in the 
summer he engaged in farming for twenty years. He was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Epurvey Ward on the 21st of April, 1862. a lady who is a 
native of Xorth Carolina, born January 20 1841, and when a little maiden 
of six summsrs went to Illinois with her parents, Lindsay and Meca Ward. 

After their marriage Mr. McClung and his bride began their domestic 
life upon a rented farm which he operated through the summer months, 
while in the winter he continued teaching. Until 1883 he was a resident 
of Illinois and that year witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He came with 
his family to Allen county, settling in Elsmore township where he con- 
tinued to operate rented land until [896, when he invested his earnings in 
a tract of eighty acre? a mile and a half east of the town of Elsmore. On 
this place he erected a pleasant and comfortable residence and a good 
barn. He has developed an excellent farm, and in connection with the 
raising of cereals best adapted to this climate he gives some attention to 
stock-raising. His methods are progressive and practical and a glance at 
the place indicates to the passerby the careful supervision of the thrifty and 
energetic owner. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McClung have been born eight children of whom 
seven are now living, namely: Margaret, the wife of Thomas Hartle}^ a 
resident of Illinois; Henry, who makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri; 
Charles, who is living in Moline, Illinois; Edwin and George, who assist 
their father in the operation of the home farm; and Mary, the wife of Charles 
Roedel, near the old family homestead. The first member of the family 
was William, who died in 1894 vvhen thirty-one years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. McClung are members of the Knights and Ladies of 
Security. In his political affiliations he has always been a stalwart Repub- 
lican. He was elected and served four terms as township trustee of Els- 
more township, and was appointed by the government to take the census 
of his township in 1900. He has ever discharged the duties of the offices 
which he has been called to fill in a manner with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to his constituents. When eighteen years of age Mr. McClung 
suffered greatly from rheumatism and lost the use of his right arm. While 
this would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute will, he 
has worked steadily year after year making the most of his opportunities 
and to-day he is known among those whose labors have brought to them 
the comforts of life and won for them a place among the substantial citizens 
of the community in which they abide. Mr. McClung uniformly bears 
himself as a gentleman. Mentally he has grown strong through his wide 
reading. He has quick apprehension and readily comprehends all the 
business affairs with which he has to do. He is domestic in his habits and 
as a husband, father and citizen his example is well worthy of emulation. 



36s HISTORY OF ALLEN AXD 

UR. COURTNEY is one of the successful educators in Allen county 
• and throughout his entire business life he has devoted his attention to 
tlu work of the school-room. This profession ranks hitjh among the call- 
ings to vvhicii men devote their energies. The student does not alone ac- 
quire a knowledge of the te.Kt-book placed in his hands, but develops the 
power of mental concentration which becomes an active factor in his later 
life and at the same time forms habits which color his future career. It is 
therefore of the utmost importance that the teachers should be people of 
sterling worth as well as of high mental qualifications, for the impress 
which they leave upon the minds and characters of their pupils is ineradi- 
cable. Very successful has Mr. Courtney been in his chosen calling and 
well he deserves representation in this volume. 

A native of Indiana, he was born in Newton Stewart, on the 30th of 
July, 1867, and resided in that state until seven years of age when he re- 
moved with his parents to Illinois. There he resided for three years. He 
is the eldest son of Dr. Courtney of Leanna. In 187S the father came to 
this state settling on a farm near Leanna, and the subject of this review 
completed his education in the public schools, and, at the age of nineteen, 
began teaching. He has since continuously followed that profession, with 
the exception of a period ol one year \vl en he was employed in the capacity 
of a book-keeper in a large hardware store owned by Mr. Bragg, of Hum- 
boldt. He has for some time been recognized as one of the most popular 
and capable teachers in the county, having been employed in many schools 
in this portion of the state. He has never failed to continue as a teacher 
in a given locality if he desired to remain there, for his services were ever 
commendable and received the support of the intelligent public. In 1892 
he came to Savonburg where he engaged in teaching for four terms, after 
which he removed to Humboldt, as before stated. After a year, however, 
he went to Elsmore and was engaged in teaching in that locality for two 
years, spending one year in the city .schools and one year in the Old Els- 
more district school. In 1899 he returned to Savonburg where he now 
resides, being employed as principal of the schools in this place for the year 
1899-1900. He also po.ssesses musical talent of a superior order and has 
given considerable attention to the teaching of vocal music, having had 
charge of .some very large classes. 

On the 2oth of April, 1890, Mr. Courtney was united in marriage to 
Miss Jennie Williams, who was born in lingland and in 1886 came to the 
United States with her parents, James and Elizabeth Williams. Mr. and 
Mrs. Courttiey have had five children, namely: Maud, Reginald, Ruby, 
Marie and Roy, but the last named died in infancy. 

Mr. Courtney gives his political support to the men and measures of 
the Republican party and does all in his power to promote the growth and 
insure the success of Republican principles. He has given his entire time 
to his educational work, either as a teacher in the public schools, or as a 
teacher of vocal music and in both departments he is proficient, having 
ranked among the mo.st successful teachers in this portion of the .state. 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 369 

T IXCOLX PIN KSTOX.— Since five years of age Lincoln Pinkston has 
-^— ' been a resident of this state, and has been an interested witness of its 
growth, development and progress. He was born in Scott county, Vir- 
ginia, on the 27th of January, 1863, a son of J. W. and Rachel (Groves) 
Pinkston, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. In 1868 
they left the Old Dominion for the Sunflower state, taking up their abode 
in Cherokee county. Mr. Pinkston secured a homestead of one hundred 
and sixty acres. He engaged in its cultivation for fifteen \-ears and then 
.sold the property, removing to Texas, but not being pleased with the Lone 
Star state he remained for only a year, after which he returned to Kansas, 
settling in the southeastern portion of Allen county in 1884. There he 
bought two hundred and forty acres of land and began the development 
of the farm, but death ended his labors in 1894, when he was seventy-five 
years of age. His first wife had died many years before and he has been 
the second time married, his widow surviving him. He also left four 
children. 

Lincoln Pinkston was reared in the state which he now makes his 
home and received limited educational privileges, yet by reading, ex- 
perience and observation he has become a well informed man and is 
familiar with all the questions of general interest. He remained with his 
lather until the latter's death and afterward continued upon the old home- 
stead. He was married on the 15th of January, 18S8, to Miss Ella Louisa 
Mashburn, a native of North Carolina, who came to Kansas with her 
parents when only two years of age. Her father, John Mashburn, was a 
native of North Carolina and came to this state in 1870, but is now living 
in Polk county, Missouri. Mrs. Pinkston is the eldest of ten children. By 
her marriage she became the mother of five children; . Belle, Grace, Elmer, 
Robert and Roy, twins. 

The subject of this review is now operating and managing two hun- 
dred and forty acres of land belonging to him and his heirs and has de- 
veloped it into a very valuable property. He handles cattle, hogs and 
horses, watches the market prices and sells to good advantage, thus an- 
nually augmenting his income. He is independent in politics, studies the 
questions and platforms and then gives his support to the principles which 
he believes contain the best elements of good government. His worth 
as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and among the substantial 
residents of Allen countv he is numbered. 



/^^ H. SMITH, who is promi;ient in commercial and fiaternal circles 
^—^ • in the county of his adoption, his home being in Savonburg, was 
born in Dearborn Countj% Indiana, April 6, 1843, ^"d upon a farm in the 
Hoosier State spent his boyhood days performing his share of the work 
in field and meadow. He acquired a good school education and remained 
with his parents until after he had attained his majority when he started 



370 HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND 

wut upon an indt-peiideiit tnisiiiess career, and as a coinpaiiioii and hel])niate 
on life's journey he chose Miss Nancy A. Herbert, of Johnson County, 
Indiana. 

The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm which he had 
previously purchased in Dearborn County and there resided until 1884, his 
labors as an agriculturist being crowned with a gratifying degree of success. 
Having a family of growing .sons he thought that he might secure better 
opportunities for them in the west where the population was not so great 
and competition in consequence not so marked. Accordingly he sought a 
home in Kan.sas, bringing his family to the Sunflower State in 
1884. They located five miles north of Parsons, in Neosho County, 
where Mr. Smith purcha.sed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of lich, , 
arable land which he still owns, the tract constituting one of the valuable 
farming properties of the county in which it is located. He has excellent 
improvements upon the place and everything is in good condition. There 
he resided for eight years when, having acquired considerable capital 
through his labors as an agriculturist, he concluded to abandon the plow 
and enter into commercial pursuits. Accordingly he located in St. Paul 
where he and his eldset son established a grocery and queensware .store in 
1 89 1, under the firm name of Smith & Son. They remained there for 
four years when they sought a broader field of labor by removing to Savon- 
burg in 1895. Here they enlarged their stock, adding general meichandise, • 
and they now have one of the most extensive general mercantile establish- 
ments in the county, carrying a large line of goods, such as is demanded by 
the town and country trade. They also have a branch store at Elsmore 
and their business has now reached proportions represented by sales that 
amount to forty-five thousand dollars annually, the firm of Smith & Sons 
ranking high in commercial circles. 

O. H. Smith is the owner of a nice residence on a pleasant corner in 
Savonburg and there he resides with his wife and the children who are 
still under the parental roof. Six sons have been born unto them; John H., 
who is now in partnership with his father; Frank E., who is also a member 
of the firm and has charge of the store in Elsmore; Lawrence O., who is a 
student in school; Charles Otto, at home; Oliver, who died at the age of 
four years, and Claudius, who died at the age of two. Mr. Smith takes 
a great pride in his family and has provided his children with excellent 
educational privileges, that they may be well fitted for life's practical and 
responsible duties. The eldest son is a graduate of the Sedalia Business 
College and the second son of the Fort Scott Business College. 

In political views Mr. Smith is a stalwart Republican and has voted 
for each presidential nominee of the party since its organization, when John 
C. Fremont was placed at the head of the ticket. He is one of the oldest, 
if not the oldest Odd Fellow in the State, having joined the order in Indi- 
ana in 1856. Throughout the passing years he has been an exemplary 
member of the fraternity and his life shows forth its beneficent principles. 
Several times he was a representative to the grand lodge in Indianapolis, 
Indiana, and has filled every chair in his local lodge. He is conducting 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 37I 

his b'.ishiess on systematic and methodical principles and an idea of the suc- 
.cess which has attended the enterprise is indicated by the greatly increased 
facilities. He is now numbered among the prosperous merchants of his 
community and his position is the just reward of meritorious and honorable 
effort which commands the respect and admiration of all. 

In this connection it will be of interest to know something of the tamily 
of which .\Ir. Smith is a representative. His father, Richard Smith, was 
born at Thorpe Arch, Yorkshire, England, and when sixteen years of age 
he entered the English army, serving for seven years under Sir Arthur 
Wellesley. He participated in the battle of Waterloo. His command en- 
tered the engagement eight hundred .strong and left the battle-field with 
only thirty-two survivors. Mr. Smith was one of those who fortunately 
escaped with his life. His son, O. H. Smith, is now in possession of his 
father's discharge papers, also a clothes brush which he carried through 
that war. 

.\fter retiring from the army Richard Smith determined to seek his 
home in the land of the free and bidding adieu to his native country sailed 
for America where he arrived in March, 1817. He was married in this 
country to Miss Mary E. Harbert, a native of Pennsylvania, and unto them 
were born ten children, four of whom are now living. Jnamel y: Richard H., 
•a resident of Dearborn County, Indiana; Henry K., who resides in Arkan- 
sas; Mrs. Maria L. Butt, of Shawnee County, Kansas; and O. H. Smith, 
the popular merchant of Savouburg. 



"|V TEWTON L,- ARD, one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens 
-l- ^ of Allen County, resides in Elsmore township, where he has a valu- 
able farm of two hundred and forty acres. He was born in Morgan Coun- 
ty, Missouri, July 3, 1845, while his parents, Charles C. and Susan 
(Borrow) Ard, were natives of Kentucky. On leaving that State in 1840 
the\- emigrated westward to Missouri, where the father carried on farming for 
twenty-one years, and on the expiration of that period came to Kansas in 
1 86 1 , settling on Big creek in Elsmore township. He was not long per- 
mitted, however, to enjoy his new home for his death occurred in 1864, 
when he was forty-five years of age. His wife died the same year, and 
also at the same age. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom 
ten are now living. 

Newton L. Ard, the third in order of birth, came to Kansas with his 
parents in 1861 After their death he remained with the other children, 
the family continuing together until all of the sons and daughters had 
attained an age where they were capable of caring for themsek-es. The 
subject of this review secured a claim near the old homestead and has since 
engaged in its cultivation. 

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. .A.rd chose Miss 
Sarah Ann Burns, their marriage being consummated on the 30th of March, 



HISTORY OF ALLICN AND 

i.syi. She is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Kansas -.vith her 
parents in i860. They have had ten children, namely: Mark, -Myrtle, wife 
of William Hoil: Olive; Jame>: Elbert; Charles, w'x) died at the age of 
seven years; Herscliell; Hazel, Xellie and Edna. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Ard served in the First Brigade of the 
Kansas uiiliiiu. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and 
in politics is a stalwart Republican. He is a recognized leader of his party, 
and for several years he has served as trustee of Elsmore township. In 
i.Si)4, when his district was stront;ly Democratic, he was elected count v 
commissioner by a large majority, having been nominated for the office by 
his friends who knew that he was the only man in the district who could 
defeat the Democratic nominee. He served for three years, filling the 
office with credit to himself and satisfaction to hi.= constituents. He is 
extremely popular and well deserves the high regard in which he is uni- 
formly held and at the same time justly merits the success that has come to 
him as the reward of his energy in busine.ss. 



HIR.\M A. MYERS has been a witness of the development of Allen 
County from its pioneer epoch, has seen its wild lands transformed 
into beautiful homes and farms, while the work of progress has been 
carried forwaid in city and village and the county has taken rank with the 
best in the State. His residence here dates from 1870, and thus through 
three decades he has been numbered among its worthy citizens. 

Mr. Myers was born in Boone County, Indiana, .March 10, 1S41, and 
his parents, James and Evnline (Stoker) Myers, were both natives of 
Kentucky. When a young man the father removed to Indiana, where he 
was married, and in 1S52 took his family to Iowa, coming thence to Kansas 
in 1857. In this State he settled in Jefferson County, where he died in 1882, 
at the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife passed away in iSgo, at the 
ripe old age of eighty three. They celebrated their sixtieth wedding anni- 
versary, and at that time thirteen of their iilteen children were living. The 
following named were born unto them: Elizabeth A., wife of Frank John- 
son; Mary, wife of Horace Gibbs; Ellen, wife of Perry Dale; Sarah, wife of 
Thomas West; Eliza, who married Squire Buriies; Harriet, who wedded 
Thomas Pucket; Sophrona, wife of Alfred Quackingbush; Martha, wife of 
A. L. Rivers; Louisa, wife of James Clements; Flora and Reuben, both 
decea.sed; Jonathan, who was killed in the army; Thomas, now in Jefferson 
County, Kansas; H. A., of Allen County, and James of EUwood, Kansas. 

There were five brothers in the army. One of the number made his 
escape from the Indians at the time of the massacre on the Piatte river. He 
was also of the party of men that rescued Mrs. Larimer from the Indians, 
by whom she had been held captive for one year. 

Hiram .\. Myers, whose name begins this review, came to Kansas in 
1857, ^'"^ remained with his parents on the home farm until twenty years 



"WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 375 

'ol age, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he volunteered as a Union 
soldier on the 17th of September, 1S62, enlisting in Company D, Eleventh 
K.uisas Mounted Infantry. He saw some very arduous service, participated 
in the battles of Fort Wayne, Cane Hill, Van Buren, Prairie Grove and 
Cro.ss Hollows, and was at Lawrence at the time of the Quantrell raid. He 
also aided in repelling the Price raid, and at the close of his term wa.s 
honorably discharged February 22nd, 1865. 

Returning to his home Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss 
L. E. Young, who was born in North Carolina and came to Kansas in i860. 
In March, 1870, they removed to Allen County, locating on a farm in 
Elsmore township, where they lived for several years, Mr. Myers raising. 
Inlying and selling stock. He now resides in Savonburg, and for the past 
twelve years has been traveling agent for a stock company of Kansas City. 

In 1898 Mr. Myers was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
died leaving five children: Cora Alice, Oliver J., who is a guard in the 
Kansas penitentiary and who served in the Spanish-American war with the 
First Territorial Infantry, Company M; Delia I.; Lillian D. ; Julia A. ; 
Clara E. and Gilbert O. , the third and fifth members of the family, are now 
deceased. Since attaining his majority Mr. Myers has been a stalwart Re- 
publican. He belongs to Savonburg Post, G. A. R. , and is as true to his 
duties of citizenship today as when he followed the stars and stripes on 
southern battle-fields. 



/"CHARLES W. DANIELS.— One of the successful farmers of Allen 
^^ count}' is Charles W. Daniels. He claims Virginia as the state of his 
nativity, his birth having occurred in Birbara county, of the Old Dominion 
o!i the 22nd of February, 1S65. His father was Elmore Daniels, also a 
native of Virginia and in which state he was reared, spending the days of 
his childhood and yo ith in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. 
After arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Rebecca Coopsr, also a 
native of the same state, and after residing there a number of years suc- 
ceeding their marriage they came to Kansas, emigrating westward in 1877. 
In Bourbon county they took up their abode on a farm, and to the further 
improvement and development of the land Mr. Daniels devoted his time 
and energies until his life's labors were ended in death. He passed away 
in 1888 at the age of seventy years and the community therebj' lost one of 
its valued citizens, for he was a man faithful to every trust reposed in him, 
honorable in business and well worthy of the esteem in which he was uni- 
formly held. His widow still survives him and is now living in Baldwin 
where her son Edwin is attending Baker University. In their family were 
twelve children, and with one exception all are yet living, namely: 
F.ugene, John, Alice, Jennie, Elizabeth, May, Charles W., Anna, Grace, 
Ed and Frank. Jessie, who was the eleventh in order of birth, died at the 
age of twenty-three years. 

In taking up the personal history of Charles W. Daniels we present to 



374 HISTORY OF ALLEIsT AXIJ' 

our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in' 
Allen county. He spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his 
nativity and then accompanied his parents on their westward journey to 
Kansas where he has since made his home. He remained under the 
parental roof until he had attained his majority and during that time he 
acquired his education in the common .schools, mastering the branches of 
English learning which usually formed the curricnlum in such an institu- 
tion. During the summer months he assisted in the work of the fields 
from the time of the early planting until the crops were harvested and thus 
he gained practical experience in the work he has followed as a means of 
livelihood since attaining his m;ijority. After he had reached man's estate 
he left the parental roof and entered upon an independent business career, 
and rented a farm which he operated for three years. As a companion and 
helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Lottie Lorrick, a native of Ohio, 
his preparation for a home being consummated by their marriage in i8S6. 
The lady is a daughter of John and Mary Lorrick. also natives of the 
Buckeye state. John Lorrick died in Charleston, Coles county, Illinois. 
The widow and family .settled in Neosho county, Kansas, in 1S69, where 
she now resides. 

After his marriage Mr. Daniels continued to operate a rented farm for 
five years and during that jjeriod, as the result of his industry , economy 
and capable management, he acquired money sufficient to enable him to 
purchase eighty acres of land in Bourbon county, and there he resided for 
two vears, after which he sold the eighty-acre tract and purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of raw land in Allen county, the place being three 
miles east of the town of Elsmore. Not a furrow had been turned nor an 
improvement made on the place, but through his energetic efforts he has 
developed a very desirable farm property. The fields are well tilled and 
give promise of good harvests. He has also made many improvements, 
erecting a nice residence, a good barn and all the necessary outbuildings 
for the shelter of grain and stock. As time has pa.ssed and his financial 
resources have increased he has made judicious investments of his capital 
in more laud, extending the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises 
three hundred and sixty acres. He also handles stock to a considerable 
ex;tent, feeding ho^s and cattle, and thus he utilizes all the corn which he 
raises. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Daniels ha^'e been bom six children, namely: Klniar, 
Gerard, Zola, Leonard, Jessie and Edna. Mr. Daniels is a member of the 
Masonic lodge of Savonburg and also has membership relation with the 
Modern \Voo\lmen of America, belonging to the camp in Elsmore. In his 
political affiliations he is a Democrat. 

Not many men of Mr. Daniels' years have met with such succe.ss as he 
has achieved, but his prosperity has all been won along legitimate business 
lines. He has followed closely the old time-tried maxima such as. "Hon- 
esty is the best policy." and "There is no excellence without labor." He 
had to incur indebtedness in order to buy his first far(uing implements, but 
his successful management has enabled him to work his way steadily up- 



IVOODSOT^ COUNTIES, KANSAS. 375 

■^vard and to day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of hi- 
community. 



I 



TTENRV A. RICHARDSOISr was born in Ripley county, Indiana, 
-L -^ February 18, 1859, and was the eldest of the six children of M. A. 
and Eliza Richardson. His father was born in Onondaga county, New 
Tork, March 12, 1835. The grandfather, Asa Richardson, also a native of 
the Empire state, married Barbara Babcock, and died in 1870, at the age of 
sixty-five years. His wife passed away at the age of thirty-five years. 

M. A. Richardson, the father of our subject, became a resident of In- 
diana during his boyhood, and there resided until his removal to Kansas. 
In the meantime he married Miss Eliza Wylie, a native of Ohio, the wed- 
•ding being celebrated in 1858. Feeling that his duty was to his country 
at the time of the Civil war, he enlisted on the 12th of August, 1862, as a 
member of Company A, Eighty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, 
serving for three years, in which time he participated in the battles of 
Arkansas Post, Helena Arkansas, Chickamauga, Grand Gulf, Champion 
Hills, Black River Bridge, both charges of Vicksburg, the battle of Jack- 
son Mississippi, and many smaller engagements, displaying his bravery 
and valor on many occasions. After the .stars and stripes were planted in 
the capital of the Confederacy he received an honorable discharge, August 
27, 1865, and returned to his Indiana home. In 1S72 he came to Allen 
■county, Kansas, settling on a farm, and both he and his wife are now resi- 
dents ol Savonburg. He is still a vigorous and energetic man and assists 
his son Henry in the conduct of his busine.ss. This worthy couple are 
people of the highest respectability and have reared a creditable family of 
six children, namely: Henry A.; Mary, wife of William H. Allen, of 
Colorado; Lida, wife of William Pullum, of Argentine, Kansas; L,ucy, wife of 
C. H. King, of Bloomington, 111.; V. B., of Colorado; and Josie, wife of N. W. 
Mills, of Kansas. 

Henry A. Richardson spent the fir.st fourteen years of his life in In- 
diana and then came with his parents to Allen county, living near the 
south line in Cottage Grove township. His boyhood days were spent in 
the work of the farm or in attendance at the distiict schools. He was mar- 
ried August 5, 1880, to Alice C. Reed, a native of Kentucky, who came to 
Kansas with her parents in 1870. Mr. Richardson then purchased a farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres, which he owned and operated until 1886, 
when he sold out and became identified with commercial interests in 
Leanna, dealing in all kinds of produce there until 1895, when he removed 
to Chanute. A year later he took up his abode in Savonburg, and for 
eight months conducted the City Hotel, but later bought a business prop- 
erty, and has since engaged in dealing in produce with excellent success, 
his business now amounting to from fifteen to twenty thou.sand dollars 
annually. He has always paid the highest market price for produce and 



376 HISTORY OK ALLKN AND 

ships in car loads to the city markets. He has won the confidence of alT 
with whom he has thus come in contact, by reason of his honorable busi- 
ness methods. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have been born six children: Ada, 
now the wife of August Schwardt, a lumber merchant of Savonburgr 
Blanche, Edith, Nellie, Flora and Homer, all of whom are still with their 
parents. Since casting his first presidential vote Mr. Richardson has been 
a stalwart Republican, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and 
ability, have called him to office, so that he is now serving for the third 
term as constable of his township. He is a member of Savonburg Camp, 
No. 1271, M. W. A., and is prominent in business, social and political 
circles. 



WfLLIAME. ALEXANDER was born in Ringgold County, Iowa, 
on the 24th of April, 1859, and his childhood days were spent 
upon a farm. At the age of eleven j'ears he accompanied his parents on 
their removal to Mi.ssouri where Ihey remained two years, and in 1872 they 
came to Kansas, William E. then being a youth of thirteen summers. 
Throughout the period of his boyhood he attended the public schools near 
his home. The family located at Austin, Kansas, and he resided with his 
parents until seventeen years of age, completing his education in the 
.schools of that town. He then began teaching and successfully followed 
the profession for five years. After his marriage he began farming, oper- 
ating a tract of land for three years. His next venture was in a com- 
mercial line. Removing to Chanute, Kansas, he accepted a position as 
salesman in the hardware store of A. H. Turner with whom he remained 
for si.\ years when he entered the employ of F. W. Jeffries of the same 
place. There he remained for two years when he took up his abode in Big 
Creek township and once more engaged in (aiming and threshing grain. 
He operated a threshing machine for six years and in the meantime operat- 
ed a mill at I.,eanna. In 1898 he became a resident of Savonburg, where 
he purchased a residence and five acres of ground in the east edge of the 
town. He has gradually improved his place and has now one of the most 
attractive little homes in this section of the county. In 1898 he entered 
into a partnership with M. K. Hunter, known as the Savonburg Milling 
Company, and erected a mill for the purpose of grinding meal and feed. 
They have since conducted this enterprise and are the proprietors of a well 
equipped plant supplied with good machinery and modern proces.ses. They 
make a .specialty of the luanufacture of graham flour and are doing a good 
business, owing to the excellence of their product and their reliable and 
tru.stworthy business methods. When Mr. Alexander once secures a 
patronage he has no difficulty in retaining it, owing to his well known 
honesty, to his obliging manner and his courteous treatment of his patrons. 
In 18S1 w'as celebrated the marriage of William E. Alexander and 
Miss Ida Cochrin. of Missouri. They now have t.vo interesting daughters. 



WUUUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 377 

Ilia B. and Hallie, aged respectively fuurteen and ten years. In his politi- 
cal affiliations Mr. Alexander has been a stalwart Republican since casting 
his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield. He was elected and served 
IS trustee of Canville township, Neosho County, in April, 1884, and proved 
an acceptable officer. He was chairman of the McKinley and Roosevelt 
club at Savonburg during the campaign of 1900. He belongs to Savonburg 
Camp, No. 1271. M. W. A., and for two years held the office of venerable 
consul. While at Leanna he served two years as venerable consul of 
Camp No. 3750. Mr. Alexander is a man of strong force of character, true 
to his honest convictions, trustworthy in business relations and reliable m 
citizenship. With him friendship is inviolable, and by all who know him 
he is esteemed for his genuine worth of character. 



"T^RANK GOYETTE is the popular cashier of the Elsmore Bank, and 
-'- the success of the institution is attributable in a large measure to his 
efforts. Banking institutions are the pulse of a commercial body and indi- 
cate the healthfulness of trade. In times of financial panic all the world 
looks toward the banks of the country and any weakness or uncertainty 
therein displayed immediately bring about disastrous results in the com- 
mercial circles, while the bank that is known to be reliable and 
in the hands of substantial business men will do more to establish the 
public confidence than any other one interest or enterprise. The Elsmore 
Bank has a reputation for reliability that is indeed enviable and at its head 
stand men of known worth and ability, of high business honor and un- 
(juestionable integrity. 

The cashier of the institution was born in Canada, on the r3th of 
September, 1846. His parents were also natives of the English province 
whence they came to the United States when their son Frank was but five 
years of age, taking up their abode in Kankakee County, Illinois, where 
the subject of this review was reared to manhood. The family was in 
limited circumstances, thus his educational privileges were meager, but he 
had a desire to broaden his knowledge, realizing the importance of an edu- 
cation in the business world. By study at night he became well informed, 
and as the years have passed his knowledge has been continually broadened 
through experience, observation and contact with the world. 

When seventeen years of age Mr. Goyotte responded to his country's 
call for aid, enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth 
Illinois Infantry, with which he served six months when he was discharged, 
the war having ended. Returning to his home he accompanied his parents 
on their removal to Iroquois County, Illinois, where he began work by the 
month, giving his father his wages. He was thus employed for five years 
and then rented a tract of land in order to engage in farming on his own 
account. Through the succeeding five years he carried on agricultural 
pursuits in the Prairie State and in 1S79 became to Kansas, locating in 



378 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND 

Salem township, Allen Countx', where he made a claim on what he sup- 
posed was government land, l)ut it afterward proved to be railroad property 
and he was therefore obliged to purchase it. Carrying forward the work of 
cultivation and development, he has now one of the finest farming proper- 
ties in the township, improved with orchards, groves, a good residence and 
substantial barns and outbuildings. Everything about the place is neat 
and thrifty in appearance, indicating his progressive spirit and careful 
supervision. Having acquired considerable capital, he determined to enter 
into business in Elsmore and in the spring of 1900 took up his abode there, 
l)ecoming one ol the leading stockholders in the Elsmore Bank, of which he 
was made cashier. 

On the 29th of March, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. Goyette and 
Miss Nannie Boman, of Illinois, who came to Kansas with her parents in 1S78. 
They have now six children, namely: Freddie, Omar. Clarence, David, Lucy 
and Edward. In the community their circle of friends is extensive and their 
own home is celebrated for its hospitality. Mr. Goyette is a Democrat in 
his political affiliations. Socially he is identified with the Knights and 
Ladies of Security in Elsmore. He certainly deserves great credit for what 
he has accomplished in life, for all that he has is the reward of his own 
labors and has been acquired since his arrival in Allen County. 



SAMUEL A. GARD — In America, labor is king and is the only 
sovereignty which our liberty loving people acknowledge. The world 
instinctively pays deference to the man who through his own efforts, has 
ari.sen from a humble position to occupy a place among the prosperous 
citizens of his community, and who has through an active business career 
ever commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men by honorable 
methods. Such a one is Mr. S. A. Gard, who has embraced every oppor- 
tunity for raising himself to the position indicated by his laudable ambition. 
A nafive of Illinois, he was born on the 3rd of October, 1S64. 
in a little log house near Hazel Dell, in Cumberland County. In 
early life he learned the lessons of industry and perseverance which have 
proved such potent factors in his later success. He is the eldest son of 
Jacob Gard, and upon his father's farm he was reared to manhood. He 
spent his youth in assisting in the labors of the fields on the old home place, 
and in working as a farm hand in the neighborhood. He also had a 
liberal common school education, acquired in the common schools, and was 
imbued with a true sense of right and wrong, having received excellent 
moral training from his parents. Beyond this his knowledge of the world was 
meager. He grew to manhood an upright lad, true to his convictions. At 
the age of nineteen he determined to leave home and seek his fortune else- 
where, and accordingly made his way to Allen County, Kansas, in 1S84, 
reaching his destination with $2. 00 in his pocket. With a determination 
to succeed, and wishing to make the practice of law his life work, in 1888 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 379 

he entered the office of Milford Doiioho, attorney at Bronsoii, Kansas. 
When he had mastered many of the principles of the science of juris- 
prudence he was admitted to the bar May 13, 1S90. Previous to this time 
be bad attended the Normal College at Ft. Scott and had received a 
teacher's certificate, but had never engaged in teaching. After his admis- 
sion to the bar he practiced law in Bronson until 1892, when he removed to 
lola where he has since made his home. Here he has practiced ever since, 
and in 1898 formed a partnership with his brother, G. R. Gard, who 
moved to lola from Humboldt, and who was elected County Attorney in 
November, 1898. 

In bis chosen profession Mr. Gard has made creditable success. He 
has won for himself very creditable criticism for the careful and systematic 
methods which he has followed. He has remarkable powers of concentra- 
tion and application, and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise 
of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in 
the discussion of legal matters before the court and jury, where his compre- 
hensive knowledge of the law and human nature is manifest, and his appli- 
cation of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional 
acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterizes his preparation 
of a case, and has made him one of the most successful attorneys in 
Allen County. 

Mr. Gard was married in 1S94 to Miss Lulu Ireland, of Allen Count)'. 
She is a lady of culture and refinement, who for several years prior to her 
marriage was successfully engaged in teaching. Her father, W. H. Ire- 
land, is a farmer in the eastern part of Allen County, whither he removed 
from Illinois some years ago. Mrs. Gard is the eldest of a family of 
seven children, one of whom, Thomas, was a member of the 20th Kansas 
regiment, and served in the Philippines. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gard are well 
known in lola and Allen County. Their worth and intelligence are re- 
ceived as pa.ssports to the best society. He certainly deserves great credit 
for his success in life, as from an early age he has been entirely dependent 
upon his own resources. Pleasant and agreeable in manner, he has a large 
circle of friends and is popular throughout the county of his adoption. 



/ ' ASSIUS M. EDSON, late councilman of the city of lola, representing the 
^— ^ third ward, is one of lola's new men. Prior to 1897 he was unknown 
ti5 our people but in the four years he has resided in Allen county he has 
come to be one of the best known of our townsmen. 

Mr. Edson was born in Richland county, Wisconsin, April i, 1861. 
His father, James Edson, was one of the pioneers of that state, having 
settled there as an emigrant from the state of New York. He was born 
in the famous Cherry Valley in 1819 and died in Greenfield, Missouri, 
in 1875. His occupation was tl at of a carpenter and in 1871 he located in 
Missouri where he died. He offered his services to the Union at Lone 



^So HISTORY OF ALI.ICN AND 

Rock, Wisconsin, but was rejected on account of physical disaliility. 
Five of his brothers were in tlie army, two of whom were killed at the bat- 
tle of Chickamauga. He was one of eight sons and seven daughters ot 
l\. B. Edson. The last named went into Cherry Valley,. New York, from 
some point in old luigland where he was married to a Scotch hidy. 

James Hdson married Dorcas K. Wood, a daughter of Samuel Wood, 
who as well as E. 13. Edson, lived to be ninety years of age. Three chil- 
dren were the result ol the marriage of James and Dorcas Edson: Cora, 
wife ot Charles Wilman, of Joplin, Missouri; Cassius M., and Mark Edson, 
an electrician of Chicago, Illinois. 

"Cash" lulson's youth was passed in the country, on the fanu in 
summer and in school in winter. At fourteen years of age he worked for 
wages, contributing to his own maintenance, and at seventeen years of age 
he became a teacher. He taught a term each in Missouri and in Crawford 
county, Kansas, and at the clo.se of his last term he secured a clerkship 
with S. H. Lanyon & Company at Pittsburg, Kansas. The Rogers Coal 
Company were also his employers and, finally, T. P. Waskey, of Pittsburg 
and Frontenac, secured his services. While with this last firm he received 
the appointment of post-master of Frontenac. He remained with the olTice 
through the H'arri.son administration and through Cleveland's second ad- 
ministration and was not molested till McKiuley had served six months. 
He left the Mount Cirmel Mercantile Company in September, 1S97. to 
locate in lola. He purchased the post-ofRce news stand of the Miller 
Brothers and was its proprietor till the ist of October. 189S. 

While the history of this branch of the Edson family shows the early 
voters to have been Republican "Cash's" first vote was cast for Cleveland 
in 1SS4. He has persistently and repeatedly espoused the cause of Denioc- 
racv, and its Fusion successor, and .August 5, 1900, he was nominated at 
Yates Center by the Fusion forces for Stale Senator. 

In politics and religion Mr. Ivdson stands for the most liberal notions 
and the greatest personal freedom and liberty of action. He holds that the 
proper n\ethod of controlling the liquor and other moral questions that enter 
the politics of live municipalities is to license them for revenue and permit 
the judgment of men to control their desires and appetites. Legislative 
restraint should not be placed upon any business which lioes not take from 
the public their unwillijig dollars and which furnishes it with that which 
pleases the eye and gratifies the soul. 

Mr. Edson was nuirried July 20th, 1SS7, at Girard, Kansas, to Kate 
Cox, a daughter of David Cox, of Hillsboro, Iowa. Cora, Melvin and 
Dorothy Edson are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Edson. 

Mr. F'd.sou is an IHk, a Woodman, a Knight of Pythias, a Master 
Mason and an A. O. V. W. 

HARMON HOBART.— In all ages and enlightened places the admin- 
istrative officer of the court has been fraught with serious and weighty 
responsibilities. He is the agent of the court and stands between the 



■TS^OODSON COUXTIES, KANSAS. 7,Hl 

'citizen and the seat of justice. Tlie mandates of his authority he executes 
without favor and this execution requires not onlj' superioi intelligence 
Tnit must be done without timidity or lack of cournge. The sheriff's office. 
like all others in a county, has its clerical duties to be performed, but 
unlike other offices, it furnishes ample opportunity for the exercise of 
native ingenuity and tact, elements not universal in the mental composition 
of a man. But once in the past quarter of a century has Allen county 
cho.sen a man for high sheriff who was not only lacking in clerical ability 
but was woefully short on courage. For sixteen years the county has 
placed men in the shrievalty possessing prime qualities- for court officers. 
The)' have been men who knew the meaning of duty and were only satisfied 
in its performance, men who were gi)od citizens as well as good officers and 
whose history will reveal the incumbency of the sheriff's office as the lead- 
ing chapter of their lives. But of all the court officers of Allen county 
none has excelled inj ability or official integrity the present incumbent. 
Harmon Hobart. The element of training foi any business is one to be 
considered from the standpoint of efficiency and if our subject has not 
erred, in any manner, during his administration it is due to his bringing-up 
in the office. 

Harmon Hobart was born in Cottage Grove township, Allen county. 
September 4, 1S69. He is the son of ex-Sheriff Lewis Hobart, and was a 
country youth up to his twentieth year. Hisfathei was born near Oswego, 
New Y(jrk, in 1840, and his grandfather was born in Dublin, Ireland. 
The latter Edward Hobart, owned and operated a steamer between the 
ports of Liverpool and Xew York and upon settling in the United States 
took up his residence near Oswego, in the limpire state. Some time prior 
to the Civil war he removed to MaComb, Illinois, where he died at the age 
of eighty-nine years. 

Lewis Hobart was reared on his father's farm in McDonough county, 
Illinois, and when the war came on he enlisted in the Sixteenth Illinois 
Infantry. After his discharge he attended Bryant & Stratton's Business 
College, in Quincy, Illinois, and graduated. He came to Kansas at once 
and worked as a farm hand till 1867 when he married Eliza J., a daughter 
of William Bartley, of Champaign county, Illinois. Mr. Hobart took a 
claim five miles .south of Humboldt, improved it and resided upon it as a 
farmer and stock raiser till i.S.Sg when he assumed the sheriff's office to 
which the Republicans liad elected him. He served two terms and has, 
since his retirement, been occupied with his large private interests and 
with handling real estate. 

Harmon H(jbart is one of a family of seven children. His education 
was acquired in the schools of his native county. He took the position of 
jailer and under-sheriff when his father became sheriff and filled the posi- 
tion with exceptional ability through his terms and those of his successor. 
Sheriff Ausherman. He was slow to become a candidate for the office and 
did not announce his willingness to accept a nomination till other candi- 
dates believed they had the prize well in hand. His nomination, the first 
time, came to him without a great contest and the second time without 



382 HISTORY OF AtLKX AXD 

conipelition, and each time he was elected by majorities much in excess of 
the head of the Republican ticket. 

When Mr. Hobart was elected sheriff he was twenty-eight years old. 
the youngest sheriff the county ever had. His entrance upon his first term. 
was no experiment. He had deuKjnstrated his competency when deputy 
sheriff and the fact that all went smooth and without a jar was no surprise 
to the public. His administration will pa.ss down into the archives as one 
of the most able and successful in the county's history. 

In iqoo Mr. Hobart became a partner with J. D. Arnett in the lola 
Telphone Exchange. When he has retired from public sevice the exten- 
sion and improvement of the telephone service will clain^ his time and 
attention. 

February 23, 1898, Mr. Hobart was married to Estella, a daughter of 
George S. Etavis, of lola. Mrs. Hobart was educated in the lola public 
schools and is an accomplished musician. She was born March 3, 1S75. 

Hairmon Hobart is prominent in fraternal circles. Odd Fellowship, 
Pythianship and Masonry have claims upon him superior to none, save 
the domestic circle. 



MJ. CliOLLETTE.— The late Cornelius M. Chollette, of lola, who 
• will Ije remembered with pleasure by the old settlers of this city, 
was born in the state of New York March 1 2, 1834. He was the last of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, and was a son of Henry Chollette, 
whose ancestors were French. The identity of five of Henry Chollette's 
heirs is as follows;- Jonathan, who died in Wahoo, Nebraska, in 1896: 
William, Henrietta, Anna and Frances are residents of Galva. Illinois. 

At the age of tliirteen years Cornelius Chollette went into New York 
City and there learned the cabinet makers trade with his brother Jonathan. 
He remained there five years and came west to Henry county, Illinois, 
He followed his trade in that state till the latter part of the fifties when he 
returned to his native heath in New York, remaining till i860. The year 
before the outbreak of the war he went into Pennsylvania and the next 
year enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, three months' 
service. He re-enlisted in the Fourth or Fifth United States Artillery and 
in the battle of Gettysburg fought near General Hancock's headquarters. 
He reached the rank of First Lieutenant and was for a time in command 
of his battery. He was in Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign and in the 
famous battle of Cedar Creek. At ths expiration of his term of enlistment 
in the artillery he rejoined the army, this time becoming a member of Com- 
pany E, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania. He was discharged in the autumn of 
'1S65, having completed, in all, fifty-foui months of active service. 

Mr. Chollette returned to Henry county, Illinois, after the war, to 
which point his mother had moved, and he took care of her till her death. 
March 6, 187 1, he came to lola. He engaged in the lumber and furniture 



f 



^PW ^w^^ 



w^ 




•f 



Ai^ 






"\VOO"DSO>r COUNTIES, KA^N'SAS. 38.'? 

i^)usine,ss with Mr. White and continued it some ^ears. He sold his busi- 
ness to S. A. Brown, who was establishing yards all over eastern Kansas, 
and retired permanently from active business. 

Maj' 4, 1872, Mr. Chollette was married at Geneva, by Rev. S. M. 
Irwin, to Marj' J. Hopkins, a daughter of William and Louisa Searles. 
Mrs. Searles homesteaded the place in Geneva township owned by Loftus 
Searles and died in lola in 1872. The .Searles went from LaGrange county, 
Indiana, to Springfield and in 1867 settled on the homestead in Geneva 
township. Mrs. Searles' children are: Charles W., in Tola; Loftus, Oscar, 
Orin Adelbert and John. 

Mr. Chollette was a staunch Republican and was an enthusiastic 
Grand Army man. He attended many of their encampments and was fore- 
most in many things tending to awaken an interest in the local post. He 
•died February 28, 1889. 



T TRNRY L. HENDERSON.— The subject of this sketch was born in 
-'- -•■ Holmes county, Ohio, November i, 1847, the son of Elisha Hender- 
son, a carpenter and weaver. Thrown on his own resources at the early 
age of thirteen years, he worked his way through the common schools, 
the academy and the college, graduating in 1871 from the University of 
AVooster, Oliio, with the first class of graduates from that school. The 
j'ear following his graduation he conducted the Vermillion Institute, and 
the next 3'ear he was engaged as Assistant Professor of Latin and Science 
in the Wooster University. After holding this latter po.sition for one year 
Mr. Henderson removed to Geneva, Kansas, where he conducted the 
Academy for one year, removing at the end of that time to lola to take 
charge of the public schools of that city. The year following he accepted a 
flattering offer to take the chair of Latin and Mathematics in the Golden 
Gate Academy, Oakland, California, a position which he held until he 
reached the determination to exchange the teacher's profession for the 
mercantile business. Returning to lola after teaching the city schools one 
year he engaged in the hardware business in which he continued until 
1883. He then disposed of his interest in the hardware trade and engaged 
in the grocery business which he conducted for two years, leaving it to 
take up real estate, loans and insurance, to which he has ever siiice devoted 
most of his attention, being associated at present with Mr. J. E. Powell, 
under the firm name of Henderson & Powell. 

Although never an office seeker Mr. Henderson's interest in the Re- 
publican party and his availabilitj' as a candidate on account of the high 
reputation he has always borne for integrity and busine.ss abilil}' have com- 
pelled him to engage more or le.ss actively in politics. Most of his work 
has been done for others, but in 1885 he reluctantly consented to become a 
candidate for county commissioner and held that office for two terms, a 
period of six years. In 189S, again at the solicitation of his friends, and 



5^4 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

not upon his own initiative, he accepted appointment as post-master of 
lola, which oflSce he still holds. 

Before coming to Kansas Mr. Henderson was married to Mrs. Laura 
Leidligh. Four children liave been born to them, of whom John H., 
Willis E. and Henrietta survive, and all of whom are graduates of the 
Kansas State University. 

The foregoing is but a bare outline of a busy, active, honorable and 
successful life. A life that well illustrate.s the possibilities of American 
citizen.ship, proving as it does that poverty is no bar in this country to edu- 
cation and culture, and that success rests upon character, capacity and 
industry and not upon inherited wealth or social position. Mr. Henderson 
commands the unqualified respect of the people among whom most of his 
mature life has been spent because he I'as been faithful and efficient in 
every position of public trust, because he has conducted his own business 
with a careful regard for the right of others, and because in small matters 
as well as large he has ob.served the Golden Rule and told the truth. 



CHARLES HIRAM BOULSON.— Stamped indellibly upon the mem- 
ories of the citizenship of Allen county is the life of one who filled an 
honorable place in one of the great professions, whose great sympdthy for 
humanity effervesced from every pore and who.se power for good was lim- 
ited only by the area of his experience and the boundaries of his oppor- 
tunities. A pioneer in the practice of homeopathy in Allen county he saw 
his favorite school grow in the favor of the populace and his practice ex- 
lend to the uttermost parts of the municipality. Both as a man anil a 
physician Dr. Boulson was loved for his integrity and for the great warm 
heart which throbbed in unison with that of the common people. His 
genial and kindly nature and his Christian character won him the uni- 
versal respect and confidence of his fellow county people. 

Charles H. Boulson came into Allen county in 1877. He established 
himself in lola where he was ever afterward one of the leading citizens. 
In the vigor of manhood he launched into practice and pursued it with 
energy and enthusiasm, day and night, for a quarter of a century and only 
loo.sened his hold upon his country work when the infirmities of age seemed 
leaning upon him. In early and middle life to call meant to secure his 
services. The matter of a fee was an after consideration so long that when 
he died he was a great creditor. In this practice he did himself an injury. 
Witli a correct accounting of all his earnings and a business-like and system- 
atic collection of the same he could have passed his last years in ease and 
independence. But his desire to relieve suffering wherever and whenever 
found was too strong to be overcome by mercenary motives, purely, and he 
died "in the harness," so to speak. 

Dr. Boulson was born in Hanover, Germany, Novemlier 16, 1832. He 
was a son of a blacksmith. Hiram Boulson, who brought his family to the 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



385 



United States in 1846 and passed some ten ye?r.s of his life in New Jersey. 
He emigrated from there just before the war and became a pioneer of 
Anderson countj'. Kansas. During the Civil war he was employed by the 
Federal Government as a horse-shoer and as such he died before the war 
closed. He is buried in Anderson county. Hiram Boiilson was twice 
married, his first wife being the Doctor's mother. Of the five children of 
this union Edward Boulson, of Omaha, Nebraska, Henry Boulson, of 
Woodson county, Kansas, and Mrs. Mary Starkey, of Oklahoma, survive. 
Five children b>- a second marriage survive, viz: Dr. Isaac Boulson, ot 
Oklahoma, Klmer W. Boulson, of Allen county, Kansas, Elijah and Harrv 
Boulson, farmers of Anderson county, Kan.sas, and Mrs. L,ibbie Rogers, of 
that county. 

Dr. Boulson was educated in childhood in the German schools of Han- 
over and his youth was spent in school in N^ew Jersey. He chose medicine 
as a profession in early life and pursued his studies to that end in Pennsyl- 
vania. He attended an Homeopathic College in Philadelphia and was 
there prepared for entrance upon the serious duties of his profession. He 
went to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, to engage in practice, reachin"- 
there in his twenty-second year. While a resident of New Castle he made 
the acquaintance of Mi.ss Sallie White whom he married Augu.st 9, 7855. 
Mrs. Boulson was a daughter of James and Ellen (Graves) White, old 
residents of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and the parents of ten 
children. 

Dr. Boulson practiced in New Castle and in Birmingham, Pennsyl- 
vania, each about six years and was induced to join his brother-in-law. Dr. 
White, in a sanitarium venture in LaSalle county, Illinois. Matters so 
shaped themselves later on that Dr. Boulson turned his interest in the re- 
sort over to his partner and made his final move westward. 

lola was a struggling little prairie town when Di. and Mrs. Boulson 
cast their fortunes with it. The undeveloped condition of the country, 
alone, sufficed to warrant the doctor in deciding to remain here. The set- 
tlements along the streams thirty years ago were tolerablj^ numerous but 
tho.se on the prairies were scarcely visible to one another. The storv of 
his experiences in his early pracHce here would be a repetition of the ex- 
perience of pioneer physitians of all ages and places. He drew rein at the 
door of all and out of it all came his unblemished and untarnished 
reputation. 

Dr. Boulson fraternized with many of the popular societies. He was 
prominent as an Odd Fellow, which society cared for him so tenderly dur- 
ing his last illness, of the .Ancient Order of United Workmen he was a 
faithful and valuable brother, and of the Select Knights and Select Friends. 
He believed in Republicanism and supported its principles through all the 
history of that party. He became a member of the Methodist church in 
early life and was a deep student of the spiritual as well as the material 
life. Through all his illness he never once flinched from his great re- 
sponsibility. He suffered intensely for weeks and his only complaint was 
that he could not pass over sooner. When the end came on Sunday even- 



386 HISTORY OF AI.LKX AND 

ing, October 7, 1900, he passed away peacefully and quietly in the assur- 
ance of that rest promised the people of God. 

Dr. and Mrs. Boulson reared only one child, a son, the late James 
Boulson M. D. The latter died May 27, 1885, leaving a .son, Kenneth 
Boulson, who resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An adopted son, Clyde 
Bnilson, is a promising young man of Tola, and a companion and counsel- 
lor of his widowed mother. 



|_J KV. LEWIS I. DRAKE. — A man of ripe .scholarship and marked 
-*- '-.executive ability whose life has been consecrated to the cause of the 
Master and the uplifting of men, there is particular propriety in here di- 
recting attention to the life history of the Rev. Lewis L Drake, who for 
nine years served as pastor of the Presbyterian church in Humboldt and is 
now connected with the field of missionary labor in Neosho Presbytery. 
He has devoted himself without ceasing to the interests of humanity and to 
the furtherance of all good works. His reputation is not of restricted 
order, and his power and influence in his holy office have been exerted in 
a spirit of deepest human sympathy and tender solicitude. There has not 
been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath whose garnering shall bring 
sure reward in the words of commendation, "well done, good and faithful 
servant." 

Lewis L Drake was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 7, 1S26, 
a son of Jonathan Drake, who was born in New Jersey in 1782, a native of 
Huntington county. When nine years of age he accompanied his father, 
William Drake, of New Jersey, to the Buckeye state. The family located 
near Cincinnati, and when Jonathan Drake had attained to manhood he 
began business for himself by shipping flour and pork down the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers, by flatboat, to New Orleans. He afterward engaged in 
farming in Ohio, following that pursuit until his death, which occurred 
when he was forty-seven years of age. He married Miss Eliza Mead, of 
Connecticut, who was born June 10, 1793, a daughter of Jeremiah Mead, 
of the same .state. Her mother was a descencant of "the Pilgrims who made 
the first settlements in New England. To Jonathan and Eliza Drake were 
born five children, two of whom are living: Harriet A., wife of Dr. H. J. 
Cox, of Tamaroa, Illinois, and Rev. Lewis I. Drake. Jeremiah M. Drake, 
who was a Presbyterian minister, died in Lima, Indiana, in 1S73. The 
mother passed away the same year. The father was a Whig in his politi- 
cal affiliations, and in his religious belief was a Presbyterian, rearing his 
children in the faith of that church. 

Rev. L. I. Drake spent his boyhood in Springdale, Hamilton county, 
Ohio, near Glendale, was graduated in the seminary of that place and after- 
ward continued his studies under the guidance of his pastor. At the age 
of seventeen he began teaching in the academy of which he was a gradu- 
ate and afterward followed the same profession in other places. Later he 




<«^t.o.r:zV */o25Vz2>%<_ 



\> >.• '- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 387 

devoted some time to the stud}' of medicine. When about tvventj' years of 
age he resumed college work in Hanover and was graduated in 1852. He 
is also a graduate of the McCormick Theological Seminary of Chicago, and 
therein was prepared for the high calling to which he has devoted his en- 
tire life. Alter being ordained to the ministry he accepted the pastorate of 
the Presbj'terian church at West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, where he 
remained for thirty years, greatly beloved by his people and held in the 
highest esteem by those of other denominations. He afterward spent two 
years as the minister of the Presbyterian church in Holden, Missouri, and 
then resigned, accepting the pastorate of the church in Humboldt, Kansas, 
where he continued for nine years, doing effective service in the upbuild- 
ing of the church. He was formerly connected in a prominent manner 
with educational work in Ohio. He aided in establishing a college in 
Yelh.iw Springs, that state, and in connection with ex-Piesident Hayes was 
a member of the board of trustees of Wooster University, of Wooster, Ohio. 
In 1880 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Han- 
over College. In 1895 he resigned his charge in Humboldt and removed 
to his farm four miles south of lola, since which time he has been engaged 
in missionary work in this presbytery. 

Rev. L. I. Drake was manied in Mt. Pleasant, Hamilton county, 
Ohio, May 10, 1849, to Miss Mary Ann Gaston, who was born May 9, 
1830. Her father, David B. Gaston, was born in Hamilton county, No- 
vember 29, 1803. Our subject and his wite have become parents of ten 
children, four of whom are yet living: John W. , a dentist now practicing 
in Ciiillicothe, Ohio; Mary, wife of J. B. Chamberlain, formerly of Hum- 
boldt, but now of Chicago; Mrs. Esther E- Aspiuall, of lola, and Ralph 
R. , who has resided in Allen county since 1884. Ralph was born in West 
Liberty, Ohio, February 24, 1864, and drove alone in a wagon from the 
Buckeye state to Kansas. He has been twice married. He wedded 
Blanche Cain, of Ohio, and to them were born two children, — Hazel and 
Lewis. After the death of his first wife, he wedded Agnes Wagner, of 
Toledo, Ohio, formerly of Pennsylvania. Their children are Margaret and 
Frederick. Both Ralph Drake and his father have been lifelong Repub- 
licans. Our subject has never failed in any duty of citizenship, and has 
ever kept well informed on the issues of the day. He is a man of strong 
convictions yet of an abiding sympathy. As a speaker he is forceful and 
eloquent and his every utterance rings with sincerity and honest convic- 
tion. His mind, carefully disciplined, analytical and of broad ken', his 
deep perception and quick and lively sympathy, make him a power in his 
field of labor. 



\ A WILLIAM LEWIS BARTELS, retired, of lola, whose presence has 

^ " been conspicuously recognized in the business and social world of 

Allen county for the past forty years, is one oi the remaining pioneers of 



388 IIISTOKV OF ALLEN' -VXD 

Kansas whose business career almost spans the history of his county and 
whose life, filling with years, has been crowned with the reward of honest, 
earnest and intelligent effort. He has not simply been in the county but 
distinctly of the county and, while he has witnessed most of the events 
of importance that have happened here he has caused some of 
them to happen and knew that others were going to happen. He had 
arrived at the age of responsible citizenship when he first saw Allen county 
and was equipped with a fair education, a good constitution, an abund.ince 
of energy and a good name. This combination, carefully guarded, will 
win in the race of any life and, when its cares have been laid aside, it can 
not be said that "it was all in vain." 

"Lew" Bartels was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May ii, 1842. 
He is a sou of Christian Bartels, born in Hanover, Germany, in i8o8. 
The latter was a miller's son and, in 1835, came to the United States. He 
has a brother, Lewis, who resides at Gypsum, Kansas, and another brother. 
Henry, who remained in Germany. Christian Bartels learned the tailor's 
trade in his youth and his first work in this country was done in Phila- 
delphia. He located at Zanesville, Ohio, about 1840 and was there mar- 
ried to Sarah Pryor, whose parents were among the first settlers of that 
community. In 1S51 he went to Bureau county, Illinois, and located in 
Sheffield. He had undertaken farming in Illinois and, feeling cramped for 
room and with the expectation of getting a "claim," he came to Kansas m 
is6o. He pre-empted a quarter section on Onion Creek, on the south line 
lit lola township and tlied there in 1878. His widow died in lola in 189S. 
Their children are: Amelia, widow of Jesse VanFossen, of Humboldt; 
Mary, died single; W. L. ; Margaret, wife of D. B. Stephens, of lola; Sarah, 
who married Robert L- Travis, of Humboldt, Kansas; Thomas M., a 
leading merchant of lola. 

Among the first things that Lew Bartels encountered on coming to 
Kansas was the Civil war It was no trial for him to meet his obligation in 
this matter for he was a strong believer in the union of the states and cow- 
ardice was not a part of his makeup. He enlisted x\ugust 10, 1861, in 
Company G, Ninth Kansas, Colonel Lynde; and the first thing that was 
done was to raid the Rebels and Bushwhackers who sacked Humboldt. 
They were overtaken at Cabin Creek and a battle ensued. The fellows 
who burned Humboldt also came in for a raid and the Ninth did its duty 
toward them. The Ninth spent the winter of 1861 on post duty at Humboldt 
and the next spring it was marched to Leavenworth, Kansas, and mounted. 
It took the Santa Fe trail f jr Fort Uuicai, New Mexico, guarding the over- 
land stage line against the Indians and Rebels. The regiment returned to 
Leavenworth the same fall and Company G did provo.st guard duty around 
the city till the spring of 1863. The regiment guarded the southern border 
of the state and chased Quautrel's baud of guerrillas in Missouri the greater 
part of the year. General Joe Shelby's men were encountered at different 
times in his feints on Kansas City and north Missouri. The spring of 1864 
the Ninth Kansas was ordered toward Little Rock and had many brushes 
with the Confederates in Arkansas. Our subject enlisted as a private and 




r> 




^. 




■WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 589 

\vas discharged at Duvalls Bluff, Arkansas, January i6, 1855, being a 
sergeant and having seen three and one-half years of service. 

Mr. Barteis tilled the .soil the first four years succeeding the war. He 
went into Degenhart's harness shop at Humboldt, learned the trade and the 
business and spent three years there. He came 10 lola in 1874 and opened 
a shop and did a thriving business in the old building on his present busi- 
ness corner till 1S85. He was then appointed Deputy Revenue CoUectoi 
for fourteen eastern Kansas counties. He officiated in this capacity four 
and a half years and acquitted himself with credit to himself and with great 
.satisfaction to the government. Upon the election of Harrison the Deputy 
foice resigned in a body and, in reply to his letter of resignation his chief 
^ent Mr. Bartels the following: 

"In terminating our official relations I desire to say that I have always 
•considered the business of the Second Division in safe hands, and to thank 
you for your care and fidelity in the discharge of your duties. Your selec- 
tion and appointment has never caused me a regret. I hope your pros- 
perity and happiness in future may equal your individual merits." 

Retiring from the revenue service Mr. Bartels established himself in 
the hardware business and his house became one of the popular places of 
business in Allen county. He conducted its affairs most satisfactorily till 
April 1899 when he sold his stock and retired from active business. Dur- 
ing the year iSqS he erected the "Bartels Block," a two .story brick 22x120 
feet with basement and the following year his brick residence, on East 
Madison avenue, was erected, and he thus becomes the owner of two of the 
most attractive and substantial structures in the city. 

March 22, 1863, Mr. Bartels was married in Allen county to Sidney, a 
daughter of John B. Tibbetts, who was driven out of Missouri in 1861 by 
the Rebels and came over into Allen county. Mr. Tibbetts was a shoe- 
maker and was born in Massachusetts. He married Miss Amy Wood. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bartels' children are Ida H., wife of Eli Wharton, of 
lola, Kansas; Josie, wife of B. C. Potter, of lola; Rosie, wife of Edward 
Langford, of lola; William Z. Bartels, who married Jessie Webb; OUie, 
Maud and Jessie Bartels. 

The Democracy of the Bartels' is proverbial. Their adherence to the 
])rinciples of the ancient and honored faith is constant. William L- has 
been twice honored with election to the office of Mayor of lola, first in 1882 
when he was chiefly concerned in getting the Missouri Pacific Railway to 
build into lola, and second in 1892 when he gave the city a business 
administration. 



FAMES SIMPSON, who was prominent as a citizen and contractor in 
"^ lola a decade and a half ago and who died there September 6, 1889, 
was a native born Englishman. He was born near York October 18, 1827, 
and was one of fifteen children. His father, Robert Simpson, was a farmer 



390 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND 

and young "Jimtny" passed his youth at such work as would aid in niniu- 
taining the household. He was apprenticed at an early age and spent six 
years at the carpenter and joiner trade. He was some twenty- five ye?.rs 
old when he came to the United States. He landed at Xew York but went 
direct to Canada. He was in company with his brother, Thomas, but 
Charles and Mark, brothers also, reared families and died in America. 
Thomas died in Canada, Charles died in Philadelphia and Mark died in 
Decatur, Illinois. 

James Simpson returned to the United States and found his first em- 
ployment it his trade in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked in Jacksonville 
and Decatur, Illinois, going to tlie latter point about 1S67 from the former. 
He came to lola in 1879 and was a thorough-going and properous citizen to 
the end. He adhered to the Democratic faith and was an Episcopalian in 
spiritual matters. He was well informed, ready and alert and was a genial 
and companionable gentleman. He was married at Jacksonville, Illinois. 
September 12, 1852, to Sarah Sprowell, whose father, Robert Sprowell, was 
also an Englishman. The Sprowells were from Lincolnshire as was Betty 
Wilson whom Robert Sprowell married. William G. Sprowell and Mrs. 
Simpson are their surviving heirs. 

"Uncle Jimmy" Simpson and Mrs. Simp.son manifested a warm per- 
sonal interest in orphan children. They were childless, themselves, and 
many of these unfortunates found comfortable homes with them. Those 
who have enjoyed their hospitality and profited by their friendship are: 
Charles Dunavan, the late Mrs. Ada Bartlett, Mrs. Jennie Xelson, of 
Springfield, Illinois, George Simpson, of Decatui , Illinois. Mrs. Eva Rob- 
in.son. of St. Louis, Missouri, and Sarah Metcalf. 

For twenty years Mrs. Simpson was engaged in the millinery busines-^ 
in lola, retiring July 4, 1889. The old Simpson corner she has adorned 
with a splendid two story brick business house, and the new Episcopal 
church edifice owes much to hei for its early erection. She and her hus- 
band seem to have lived for the good they might do and all worthy enter- 
prises and proper charities participated in their benefactions. 



JOSHUA HUTLER, Ida's enterprising and thrifty larnier, feeder and 
stock shipper, has passed more than thirty years within the limits of 
Allen county. He entered it early in November of 1869 and, on Sunday 
morning, the 4th of the month, he drove into town from the east, having 
arrived at his destination after a drive of several hundred miles. He ended 
a journey that began in Coshocton county, Ohio, in October, by steam- 
boat, "Champion," from Cincinnati to St. Louis, and was finished with 
an overland trip from that city. 

Mr. Butler was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, September 17, 1845, 
and was a son of an early settler there, Harrison Butler. The latter was 
born and brought up in Culpepper county, Virginia, where he owned 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 39I 

■slaves and was one iif the thrifty planter^ of his communit3\ His birtli oc- 
■curred in 1785 and he died in 1S68. He was one of the intensel}- indus- 
trious men of his time and place and his industry was liberally rewarded. 
The children by his first wife were: Ann, who married Michael Carrol 
and died leaving a daughter in Coshocton county; Mary Butler, who died 
young; Frances, who married Chrispum Foster and died in Allen count3^ 
Kansas; Luciuda, who died single; and William Butler, well known to 
early settlers west of the Neosho river in Allen count}-, who died in 1879. 
The mother of our subject was Margaret Nellineer. Her children were: 
Henry Butler, of Akron, Ohio; Caroline, wife of William Valentine, of 
Ida: Joshua, our subject; Charlotte, wife of John Porter, resides in Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and Sarah J., who married Isaac Bible and resides in Coshocton 
count}', Ohio. 

Joshua Butler has been nothing short of a shrewd, industrious and 
thrifty farmer from boyhood. He received little in the way of an education 
and, at the age of thirteen years, he can be said to have "started" in life. 
He relates that he hadn't clothing fit to wear to Sabbath School for two 
years at a time and he worked out by the day and month for five 
years. Although his father was thrifty he did not lavish any of his sub- 
stance upon Joshua, assuming it to be the better plan to compel him to 
gain experience by practice while young. Joshua Butler earned many an 
honest dollar at the pitiful sum of $ir.oo a month. One three months' 
work he invested in seed wheat, sowed it and lost it by the weevil. An- 
other sum of money, earned as wages, he bought calves with and doubled 
his money. He was not more than a youth when he bought a mare which 
he expected to sell to Dan Rice's show but a shipper came along and 
offered him §45 more than he paid and she went south. On a Sunday 
morning he bargained for a hundred head of sheep at $400 and sold them 
in a short time for $507.50. This sort of speculation and his wages enabled 
him to pay for three shares of the old home in five years. One of the heirs 
petitioned to have the place sold and our subject bought it in on Saturday 
and sold it again, at once, at a profit of $400. Feeling the need of better 
educational equipment he spent two years in school. In 1868 he was 
married to Clementine Foster and remained the first year in Roscoe. The 
first thing he did upon coming to Allen county was to purchase forty-six 
acres of land west of the river and the next fall he added eighty acres to 
the west of i1, creating a debt of S400.00. As he became able he added 
another eighty and then one hundred and sixty-five acres, and more re- 
cently one hundred and fifty-eight acres. He rested, as it were, ten years 
till he paid out and sent two of Ms children to Lane University two years. 
He moved into lola in 1893 and purchased the southeast corner of block 
ten upon which he has erected two large houses. He built one of the 
handsome store buildings on the south side of the square in 1894 and his 
income from rentals is one much to be desired. As a feeder Mr. Butler 
handles one hundred head of cattle and several car loads of fat hogs yearly. 

In 1881 Mr. Butler lost his first wife. Her children were: Ebenezer, 
who married Ada Johnson and resides on the farm; Emma, wife of H. C. 



.V;-' HISTORY OF ALLEX AXD 

Williamson, of lola, and Xellie, who married James B. E\vnrt, of Vernoir 
county, Missouri. In [883 Mr. Butler married Mary Williams. Their 
children are: Edna, Stuart. Flossie and Iva Butler. 

No man about lola is better known than Joshua Butler. No man ot 
his age and length of residence in Allen county has produced more sub- 
stantial results from actual hard work than he. In his youth he learned 
th It it always paid to be honest, and this old adajje he has followed to the 
letter in latter life. As a stock man he possesses e.^ccellent juds^iinent and 
oiv all his varied interests he keeps a close tab. 



CAPTAIN G. DeWITT \va,s born in Gallia county, Ohio, February 
28, 1834, where he lived until about fourteen years old when he 
moved with his parents to Franklin county, Illinois. Here he grew tO' 
manhood, choosing farming and school teaching as his vocation and fitted 
himself for a civil engineer. In i860 he enlisted in the Civil war as an 
Illinois volunteer in the i loth Regiment where he served as captain 
eighteen months, when he was honorably discharged on account of poor 
health. In 1863 he moved with his family to Humboldt, Kansas, where 
he served in the militia about two years. He bought a farm two and a half 
miles we.st of Hifmboldt upon which he lived for thirty-seven years. He 
was quite a public spirited man, taking a very active part in all public 
issues. He was ever a true Republican and by this party was elected to 
Ehe office of County Surveyor which he held almost continuously for thirty- 
five years. He held the office of County Superintendent one term and rep- 
resented his county two terms in the State Legislature. These offices he 
filled with much credit to his constituents. There was hardly a square 
section in the county which he had not surveyed and knew fully as well a.s 
the owner himself. 

He was a man of sterling integrity, a deliberate thinker — never jump- 
ing at conclusions and seldom ever losing his point in an agument. He 
united with the Missionary Baptist denomination wlien quite a young man 
and clung very tenaciously to this belief until his death which occurred 
April gth, 1901. 



JOSEPH TERRELL RENO, of lola, was born in Schuyler County, 
Illinois, October 5, 1845. His father was the Rev. Joseph Reno, 
United Brethren, whose ministerial work in Linn and Bourbon Counties. 
Kansas, many years was both important and effectual. He did much to- 
ward the establishment of that faith in thoee counties, and at his death in 
1876, left the work in a healthy, encouraging condition. He was born in 
East Tennessee in 1807. and went to Illinois in the early settlement of that 



WOUUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3g^ 

State. He secured an education that made his life a success, and at the 
outbreak of the Black Hawk war, 1834, he enlisted and served his State in 
quelling the disturbance. Although he was a sell-made man, few with his 
opportunities could have done more in the cause of religion as a pioneer 
preacher than he. In politics he was a Republican, coming into that party 
from the Whigs. 

Jonathan Reno, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a Virginian. 
He was descended from French stock, was a farmer and was killed in 
Springfield, Missouri. 

Sarah Skyles married Rev. Joseph Reno. .She was a daughter of Mr. 
Skyles, of East Tennessee. Mrs. Reno resides in Allen county, Kansas, 
and is the mother of Joseph T., Charles, of Piqua, Kansas; William O., of 
lola; Adda, wife of Frank Smith, of Allen county and Jeanette, wife of I. 
Helms, of Bronson, Kansas. 

Joseph T. Reno was near twenty-one years old when he came to Kan- 
sas. He was reaied on an Illinois farm and educated in the district schools 
and before he was eighteen years of age he enlisted in the army. His regi- 
ment was partially raised in McDonough county, Illinois, and his command 
was Co. A, 8|th Infantry. His regiment was placed first in the 4th corps 
and later became a part of the 14th corps. He began service at Louisville, 
Kentucky and was in the fight at Perryville, that state. In their order Mr. 
Reno participated in the engagements at Chicamauga, Atlanta campaign, 
(Ringgold Gap, Buzzards Roost, Kennesaw Mountain,) Jonesboro, Nash- 
ville and Franklin. He served as a private and through all these, some of 
the most bloody battles of the war. he passed without injur\'. He was dis- 
charged at Camp Harker June 8, 1865, and cultivated his crops in Illinois 
that year. He came to Kansas in the fall and located on a farm in L,inn 
county. In 1879 he came into Allen county and located a farm near Bron- 
-son and resided in that vicinity for ten years. In 1889 he located on a farm 
near Carlyle and four years later he took up his residence in lola. 

Mr. Reno was first married in Linn county, Kansas, in i,S68 to Emma 
Saddler, a daughter of James Saddler, one of the pioneers to Linn county. 
In 188,3 Mrs. Reno died, leaving five daughters: Laura, wife of Andrew 
Price of Lordsburg, New Mexico; Mary E. , wife of Dallas Gillespie, of 
Missouri; Dora, widow of Simon Brillhart; Cora, who married Charles Cain, 
of lola, and Lettie. Mr. Reno was married the second time in 1883. His 
W'ife was Sadie Kenady, a daughter of Valentine Brillhart. She died 
in 1898 and in April 1900 Mr. Reno married Emma L. Prather, a daughter 
of Randolph B. Tucker, of Clermont county, Ohio. 

Mr. Reno added his mite to the expansion era of lola. In 1899 he 
platted Reno's additioti to lola, much of which has already been disposed 
of and improved. 



^ A7ILLIAM MORGAN HARTMAN, deceased, was identified with 

^ " the mercantile and financial interests of Tola during its childhood 

and early youth. He came to Allen county in 1865 and w-as first en- 



394 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND 

gaged in the stock bu>iness with the pioneer. John McCliire, his lather-in- 
law. When the prairies began to settle np and the village became a town 
"Morg" dropped out of the stock business and entered the field of merchan- 
dise. He clerked for L. L. Xorthrup. conducted a furniture business with 
Xorris and a hardware business with Jacob Casmire, and was one of the 
popular merchants of the city. He prospered as time pa.s.sed and when he 
reached middle life the thought of establishing a banking business in lola 
took serious hold upon him. He became associated with Geo. A. Bowlus 
in the loan business and the two formed a partnership and started the Bank 
ol Allen County. To the success of this institution he devoted his few re- 
maining years, for he died October 6. 1SS7. 

\V. M. Hartman was born in Indiana June 4, 1S34. He was a sou of 
William Hartman who established his family at Ridgefield, 111., and died 
there. His mother was Agnes Gibson, who is also buried at Ridgefield. 
111. Her children were: David, who was a Union soldier, died during the 
war; Gibson, at Ridgefield, 111: W. M., our subject: Isaac, of Chicago: Lem 
H., who died in Minneapolis, Minn., and was once a resident of lola: 
Sophia, wife of Joseph Wayne, of Center Point. la.. Lizzie, wife of William 
Morey. of Ridgefield. 111., and Gussie, who died at Ridgefield. 

Morg Hartman acquired a fair education in the district schools, was all 
his life a great reader, his fine memory enabling him to give quotations 
from the Bible or Shakespeare to fit ever\- occasion. He was very fond of 
poetry, often reciting whole poems which he had learned when a boy. He 
was a lovei of nature — birds and flowers especially. 

His lather moved to Ridgefield. 111., about 1S34 and Morg grew up on 
a farm. His first wife was Mary McClure, whom he married at Ridgefield. 
She died in 1S62 leaving one child Gertrude, uow the wife of Benjamin 
Throop, of Crystal Lake, 111. Agnes Throop is the only grandchild. On 
April 16. 1S74 he married Melissie, a daughter of William Buchanan, of 
lola. 

In politics he was an independent, voting for the man or the principle. 
He read all sides, forming his opinion and voting as he thought right. He 
was public spirited, giving liberally to every good enterprise. 

He was a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows fraternities and al- 
though not a religious man in the usual sense of the word he thought deeply on 
spiritual matters. He did his whole duty toward his fellows. His sym- 
pathy extended to the poor and he heijjed men when they knew not the 
source of their benefaction. 



FRANK GAY — The citizens of '-the west side" in lola township 
recognize no more industrious or worthy farmer than Frank Gay. 
He has been in Allen County more than thirty years, nearly all of which 
time has been spent in the vicinity of his present home. He was born 
near Montgomen' Alabatua. December 16. iSs2, and is a soil of 



WOOnSOX COl'XTIHS. KAXSAS. 3Q3 

Jasper N. Gay. The latter left Alabama before the Civil war came on ami 
passed that period in the State of Arkansas. He was born in Georgia in 
1S15 and was a planter's son. In iSog he came to Allen County and locat- 
ed upon the Golorth place, west of lola. He died there in 1871. His 
u-ife was Sarah Gillaiui who is residing with her son, Frank. Their children 
are: Frank Gay: Kmma, wife of John H. Beahm: John Gay, of Hillsboro, 
California: George Gay, a soldier in the regular army .ind now in the 
Philippines: Jeff Gay of Colorado, and Edwird Gay, of Washington. 

Frank Gay went to school where .'^chool facilities were poor. He 
deplores the fact that his educ;'tional equipment is so scant and has a 
warmer side foi a lil>eral education on this account. Labor has been his 
strong card and he has engaged in it persistently and unceasingly since his 
sixteenth year. For five years he was a wage earner on the farm and out 
of these earnings he purchased his first piece of land near the Neosl o 
Valley school house. He purchased and disposed of another farm in the 
same section before he located in section 5, town 24, range iS. His pres- 
ent place was, only a few years since, an expanse of wild land fit only for 
the grazing of roaming herds and attractive to the eye of no man. Under 
the unyielding pressure of his industrious hand it blooms and blossoms and 
produces abundantly. 

Mr. Gay was married May iS. iSSo, to Eliza, a daughter of David 
Beahm. The issue of this marriage are: Earl. Josie, Willie, Charley, Orby 
and Ira. 

Ml. Gay is a Prohibitioni.st with Democratic leanings — his ancestors 
havina been Democrats — and is a member of the Advent church. ■ 



7 0HX C. HOLTZ. of lola, retired farmer, was, tor many years, one of 
'-' the progressive and successful farmers of Woodson County. He locat- 
ed just east of Neosho Falls in 1SS4, where he purchased a farm and where 
he is yet a large land owner. The business of grain and stock raising he 
has carried on during his active lite mast succe.ssfully and when he retired, 
in 1900, it was in the po.ssession of a surplus sufficient to maintain him and 
his in the years of theii decline. 

'Mr. Holtz was boni in Mecklinburg-Schwerin, September 14, 1S37, 
and was a son of Frederick Holtz, a farmer, who left Germany early in the 
fifties and settled his family in West Virginia. He remained in that State 
till death in 1S75 and is buried in Wood County. His wife was Christina 
Kruger who died in the same county ten years before her husband. Their 
children were: Lewis, of Parkersburg, West Virginia; John C; Sophia, wife 
of William Karnhoff, of Covington, Kentucky, and "Stina," wife of John 
Moseman, of Parkersburg, West \"irginia. 

John C. Holtz was a lad of sixteen when he left the Old World and 
became a \'irginia youth. The ves.sel which brought him was a sailer out 
of Hamburg, bound to Xsw Vork. His opportunities were meager for 



396 HISTORY UF ALLKN AND 

educational equipment, but he managed to secure the ruJim„Mits ur ri'.>t 
principles, and was about embarking in an undertaking when tlie Civil 
war came on. He enlisted in Companj' C, West \'irginia cavalr)-, first 
regiment, Col. Capehard. His regiment was a part of General Sheridan's 
command and the Rebels were right handy when they were wanted. lu all 
the important field service of West \'irginia,. Virginia. Maryland and Pennsyl- 
vania Mr. Holtz tojk part. He vvas captured at Winchester, Virginia, but 
escaped from the Rebel field prison in fourteen days and rejoined his regi- 
ment. Mr. Holtz witnessed some of the closing scenes of the war and was 
near the Capitol when Lee surrendered. He was discharged in June, 
1865, having served in all the four years of the Civil war. 

Almost upon his release from the army Mr. Holtz came to Kansas. 
He gathered together a small amount of cash and, upon his arrival at 
Lawrence he purchased a forty acre tract of timber of a Delaware Indian 
and proceeded to get out ties for the Union Pacific railroad, then building. 
He spent the lirst winter around Lawrence at this work, boarding with the 
Indians, and when spring came he went south into Franklin County and 
bought a farm eight miles east of Ottawa. He returned to Lawrence in 
the spring of 1S67 and was married to Margaret Lewis, a daughter of James 
Lewis, from Ohio, who settled at Cherokee, Kansas. 

In 1S6.9 Mr. Holtz moved over into Coffey County, near Burlington, 
and there carried on his farming and stock raising till 1884, as previously 
explained. With the aid ol his sons in operating his large farm and with 
his own expert management Mr. Holtz's prosperity, as an agriculturist, has 
been posi.tive and enduring. His sons are: Lewis, of Allen County, is 
married to Mary Dice; James, of Woodson County; Frank, of Woodson 
County, and John, of lola. 

In politics Mr. Holtz is a Republican. His first Presidential vote 
was for Lincoln in 1S64, and he has voted for every Republican candi- 
date since. 



H 



EXRY W. WILLIAMS, of lola, one of Tola's early Police Judges 
and for some years a grain and coal dealer in the city, came into 
Kansas in 1S78 and settled on the frontier in Pawnee county. He mi- 
grated there from Cumberland county, Illinois, where he was born Feb- 
ruary I, 1S33. He passed his boyhood in Coles and bis youth in Cumber- 
land county and was a son of Harry Williams who went into Illinois in 
1S30 and settled in Coles county. The latter was born in Bradford county, 
Pennsylvania, in 1809. and left the state three years later with his father, 
Zaben Williams, to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Hardin county, and was 
reared there almost to manhood. In 182S he crossed the Ohio river and 
invaded Crawford county, Indiana, where he married Lucretia Beals and. 
soon after moved over into Coles county, Illinois. Lucretia was a 
daughter of David Beals and Philine^- Haves, a niece of ex-President Haves, 



"WOODSON COUiVTIES, KANSAS. 39^ 

for her father, Oliver Hayes, was the President's uncle. Tlie Beals were 
.from near Saratoga, New York, from which point they settled first in the 
Miami country above Cincinnati and afterward in Crawford county, 
Indiana. 

Zaben Williams was born and reared at William.>town, Massachusetts, 
and was a son of one of the founders of the town and a nephew of the other. 
These brothers were men of affluence and their generosity prompted them 
to found and endow the college at Williamstown. Zaben Williams' three 
children were: Harris, Constant and Harry, whose forefathers were pat- 
riots in the American Revolution, in the person of the founders of Wil- 
liamstown College, both of whom died in the service. 

Harry Williams' children were: Mary J., who married Josiah Good- 
win, of Cumberland county, Illinois; Henry W. ; David B. , of Sullivan 
county, Missouri; Lucj" E., deceased, w-ife of W. J Vinson, of Cumberland 
county, Illinois; Jesse M., of the same county; Larinda C, wife of J. T. 
Jone^, of Coles countj-, Illinois, and William F. Williams, of Cumberland 
county, Illinois. 

Our subject spent his early life on his father's farm. He went to 
school three months in the year and at the age of seventeen bargained with 
his father for his time. He made and handled saw-logs and rails and from 
this he dropped into farming. He was married in October, 1S50, to Nanc\' 
J. Stone who died October 10, 1S65, leaving: Frances, wife of William 
J. Newman, of Mattoon, Illinois; Lewis B. Williams, of .lllen county, and 
Chauncey L. Williams, of Coles county, Illinois. In 1S66 he was married 
to Amanda F. Kellej-, who died in lola July 17, 1899. Her children are: 
Orville K. , one of Allen county's successful teachers; Oscar L. ; Charles; 
Mary E. , wite of W. Rutledge; Amanda L., wife of Oscar L. Cowan; 
Harry, Olive and Fred Williams are with their father. January 21, 1900,' 
Mr. Williams married Mattie Dailey, a daughter of Amos Dailey, one of 
lola's early settlers. 

In western Kansas Mr. Williams was engaged in both carpenter work 
and farming. He resided in Pawnee Rock and later in Larned and from 
that city he came to lola in i888. He purchased a half block in the first 
ward of lola which he has improved by covering it with residences and has 
thereby contributed his part in the city's development. In the spring of 
1900 he went out of active business and is concerned now only with the 
proper rearing and education of his \'ounger children. 

In political training the early Williams were Whigs. Upon the disso- 
lution of that party they became "Know Xothing" and when the Repub- 
lican party was christened the}' joined it and helped swell Fremont's 
popular vote. Our subject's first vote was cast for that candidate for the 
Presidency and he has never missed an election in all these forty-four 
years. He has great faith today in the ability of that part}* to do things 
and to conduct the affairs of our countrj- with wisdom and prudence and to 
lead our citizens along a high plane of morality, patriotism and civilization. 

Mr. Williams enlisted at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, October 1861, 
for three years and his regiment was McClelland's advance guard along the 



39S FTISTORV OF AtLEN' AJTD 

Potomac river in 1861 and 1862. He was discharged at Cumberland', 
Maryland, for disability and returned to Illinois, and in Febnuuy, 1865, 
joined the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois and was transferred to 
Sixty-first Illinois, from which he was discharged October 19, 1865. He 
was detailed on duty to turn over deserters to the army, who returned 
under the President's firoclamation, during the end of his second enlistment 
and the close of the war found him so entjaged. 



FRAXKLIX ROOT— The late Franklin Root, ex-County Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction of Allen county, was one of the noble 
characters and honored citizens of his county. Few men possessed, in as- 
high degree, the confidence and esteem of his townsmen and few men more 
sincerely merited that confidence so extended and so marked. 

While in Allen county Mr. Root made himself as much a part of the 
county as though he had been born here and his life of usefulness to it be- 
gan from the week he set foot upon its soil. As educator, as Christian 
gentleman and as model citizen he performed his pmrt and well and effect- 
ively it was done, leaving the impress of his beautiful life and stainless 
character wherever he mingled in business or society. 

Frank Root was born in Pekin, New York, May 4, 1826. His earU' 
life was rural in environment, for his father, Elias Root, was a farmer. 
The latter was born in .Vlansfield, Connecticut, June 8, 1781, and was there 
married to Anna Belding, who was born in Conway, Massachusetts, July 
12, 1790. Of their seven children Frank was the only one who identified 
himself with the West. 

In preparing himself for the duties of life Franklin' Root attended the 
Lewiston, New York, Academy and the Lockport Union School. He en- 
gaged in teaching and continued the work several years, finally abandon- 
ing it when he was appointed to a position in the revenue service at Sus- 
j)ension Bridge, New York. He spent eight years in the customs service 
and was as efficient and popular as a customs collector as he was as a 
teacher of the American youth. In 1S71 he came to Kansas and took the 
school at Geneva, Allen county. His success there, and his apparent 
personal fitness for the office, led the Republicans of the county to name 
him (or county superintendent. He was first appointed to fill an unexpired 
term and was then elected to fill the remainder of that term and twice to 
fill full terms of two years each. It is doubtful if any public officer held 
the universal esteem of his constituents to a greater degree than did Mr. 
Root. To the teachers he was a fatherly adviser and a tower of strength 
and to the district board and patrons he was a wi.se counsellor and sincere 
friend, and all worked in practicil harmony together. 

Upon retiring from office Mr. Root was associated with H. L. Hender- 
son in the hardware business, afterwards with W. A. Cowan in the grocery 
business. The last years of his life he was with A. W. Beck as his 



•WOODSON cocxtie:;, kansas. 399 

book-keeper and so long as he possessed the strength he filled this posi- 
tion. He was a long sufferer from asthma and this finally terminated his 
life. He died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, May 29, 1886, and was buried at 
lola. 

April 18, 1867, Mr. Root was married to Lucinda Fletcher, a daughter 
of David and Elizabeth (Fletcher) Fletcher. They had no children, save 
those they adopted and elsewhere referred to herein. 



HTELL EVANS, a member of the drug firm of Evans Brothers, is a 
• .son of one of Allen county's pioneers. His father was Hon. John 
M. Evans, who represented Allen county in the State Legislature near the 
close of the sixties and who was, at the time of his death and for some 
years prior, a prominent merchant of the county, doing business at Ge- 
neva. The latter was an Indiana settler and came into the county in 1857. 
He entered the quarter section in Carlyle township known now as the 
"County Poor Farm" and resided upon it till the \'ear following the close 
of the war when he went to Geneva. He was associated with L. L. Xorth- 
rup in a general store and was stricken down in the prime of life thirteen 
j-ears after his advent to the county. 

H. T. Evans is the fourth of a family of six surviving heirs of John 
M. Evans. He was born at the old homestead in Allen county January 
29, 1863, just two years after Kansas' natal day. The early part of his life 
was passed in Geneva and since 1876 he has lived in Tola. He secured an 
ordinary training in the common schools and in his youth he engaged to 
learn the carpenter trade.' He worked many months with the late S. P. 
Overmyer and it might be said that that odd character taught him the 
prime mysteries of the craft. One of the last acts of our subject, as a me- 
chanic, was to erect the frame work and do the finishing on Evans 
Brothers' store. 

When Mr. Evans first engaged in business it was as a partner with 
M. L. Miller, the firm being "Miller & Evans, undertakers." Two years 
after the formation of the firm he purchased the interest of Mrs. Miller and 
conducted the business alone. The disastrous fire of 1891 swept away 
three-fourths of his resources and wiped out a business that had been estab- 
lished only four }-ears. The firm of Evans Brothers grew out of that con- 
flagration. Tell and William J. found it necessary, from force of circum- 
stances, and mutually helptul to unite their shattered resources in an effort 
to regain a place in the business world of lola. They purchased the lot 
upon which v\-a.s the old Stevenson drug store and erected lola's first hand- 
some business house. In 1892 the firm opened their, now famous, drug 
and stationery house, one of the conspicuously attractive places in lola. 

Realizing the late start in a new business, he took up the study of 
pharmacy with the determination to win. And though studying only at 
liome, with the assistance of other members of the firm, and taking the 



40O HISTORY OF ALLEN .VXD 

currespomkncf course of the National Institute of Pharmacy, of Chicago^ 
Illinois, (<,)f which he has a diploma) was ready for the State Examina- 
tion oi Pharmacists, in the minimum of time of experience, as prescribed 
by the Kansas laws, and was passed by the board at the head of a class 
of fifty-five. 

September 29, i8g6, Mr. Evans married .-Mine Peterson, a lady of 
social and mtisical prominence who located in lola in 1S86. She was born 
in the city of Chicago and reared in Plattsburg, Clinton county, Missouri, 
and, in 1895, took a course in the New England Conservatory of Music in 
Boston. The children of this union are Telline and Emily J. Evans. 

Mr. Evans began the exercise of his elective franchi.se in 1S84 by cast- 
ing his presidential ballot for the "Plumed Knight," the great Secretary 
Blaine. His party fealty never suffers by defeat. Twice has he seen the 
r)anner of progress and prosperity fall into the hands of his political com- 
petitors and as many times has he helped to reclaim it and to restore it to 
its own. In local matters he has done only that which would tend to the 
best public service for lola. Being in strict accord with the spirit of pro- 
gress in public education he was nominated for the Board of Education in 
1900 from the Fourth ward and elected. He is one of the first members of 
the Ancient Order ot I'nited Workmen and has represented the Tola liodN" 
in the State Grand Eodge. 



fUDGE ALEXANDER WILLI A.M J. BROWN, the late pioneer and 
" Captain of Company F, Sixth Kansas, war of the Kebellion, was one of 
the locally conspicuous characters on the Kansas frontier. His prominence 
lies in his being a settler at such an early date and from his various rela- 
tions to the settlers along the Neosho and its tributaries in Allen county. 
He, in company with his son, Alexander H. Brown, left Saline county, 
Illinois, in the month of May, 1855, with an ox team for Kansas. They 
crossed the Mississippi at St. Louis, the Missouri at St. Claries and at 
Rock Port, keejiing the western trail to the Kansas line twelve miles south 
of Kansas City. They were headed for the Neosho Valley but soon after 
they entered the Territory the road disappeared and their last fifty-five 
miles was made without pilot or guide other than the sun and stars. On 
entering the county the little caravan went into camp a half mile north and 
about two hundred yards east of where North Maple Grove school house 
now stands. It was the month of June and the heavy rains had swollen 
Deei Creek so that it could not be forded. Some settlers were discovered 
to \)Q on the south side of the creek and, while delayed, they were "hel- 
loed" over and found to be of the same family, but of the tribe of Isham. 
Isham Brown and Dallis Martin on Deer Creek, Moses Followell on Elm 
Creek, the Baker brothers on the Neosho River and Mr. Ferguson on 
Rock Creek, were the persons who reached this locality ahead of Judge 

Brown. The latter crossed the prairie from Deer Creek to Rock Creek and 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 4OI 

there located by purchasing Mr. Ferguson's interest in a cl?im for $roo in 
gold, a yoke of cattle and a wagon. His was the first permanent settle- 
ment on Rock Creek and the second permanent settlement in the northern 
pnrt of Allen county, for none of those mentioned above, except Dallas 
Martin, remained amongst us till a very recent date. 

The condition of our subject was a trifle extraordinary and very un- 
usual for he came to the county with sufficient means to count him as a 
wealthy man, whereas, the average pioneer found himself exhausted in 
parse by the time he had passed the first winter in his new home. This 
fortunate condition of the Judge's was turned to the public as well as to his 
personal good. It enabled him to confer acts of charity where it was most 
deserving and appreciated and in many ways did his benefactions contri- 
bute to the comfort and happiness of the first settlers of his locality. 

There was the largest possible opportunity for engaging in the cattle 
business and this our subject did in connection with the subjugation and 
improvement of his farm. He was one of the successful men of his time 
and was one of those men whose opinion is sought and valued for its wis- 
dom and a gentleman whose interest in any public matter assured the more 
unanimous co-operation of the citizens. He was one of the early Probate 
Judges of the county and he performed the first marriage ceremony in 
Allen county. His selection to the captaincy of a company in the volunteer 
service shows him to have been in accord with the patriots of ">i. His 
regiment, the Eighth, was made a part of the Sixth Kansas and was ren- 
dezvoused at Fort Scott. The Judge resigned in less than a year and re- 
turned to civil pursuits. He died in 1866 at the age of fifty-two years. 

A. W. J. Brown was born in Kentucky. He went into Saline county, 
Illinois, with his mother and stepfather, Mrs. and Mr. Daniel Coy. He 
was limitedly educated, was fond of books, a student of history — ancient as 
well as modern — and, while interested in politics, was not a politician. 
His three half-sisters were Rhoda, Elizabeth and Martha Coy. They 
married David Evans, Samuel Miller and Jacob Barker, respectively, and 
passed their lives in Illinois. 

Our subject's first wife was Eliza Barger who died near lola in 1861. 
F'or his second wife he married Mrs. Margaret Robinson, a daughter of the 
pioneer physician Dr. John Hart, who came to Allen county in 1857. I'he 
children by his fir.st wife were: John L,., deceased, ex-sheriff of Allen 
county; Alex. H., born March 12, 1840; Lottie, wife of John H. Harris, 
also one of our pioneer citizens; Julia, who died young; Eliza, recently de- 
cea.sed, wife of John E. Thorpe, an lola patriot and a pioneer; William, Albert 
and Mattie, wife of Lee Patton, of Indiana. A son by his second marriage 
is Orlie Brown, of Oklahoma. 

Alexander H. Brown has, with the exception of two winters, been a 
resident of Allen county for a term of forty- five years. This is a longer 
term than an}' other man now in the county has to his credit. He was a 
farmer and stock man and trader till 1884 when he took up his residence 
in Tola. He has been identified with the "ins and outs" of county matters 
nearly ever since the war. Whatever he could do in any way to advance 



402 HISTORY (IF Al.LKN AND 

the general interest of his town or county he has done, or in whatevtr wax- 
he could assist a neighbor in distress or help i brother over a piece of 
"corduroy" his hand was ready. In 1S85-6 he was Deputy Sheriff of 
Allen county. Like his father, his Republicanism is of the .staunche.st 
variety. He was married March 20, 1S64, to Annie L., a daughter of 
Jou;Uhan Masterson, who came to Kansas from Blooniington, Illinois. 
.Mrs. Brown was born July 17, 1S45, ^"'^' "■^'^'-^ October iS, 1900. Their 
chiUiren arc: Minnie, wife of P. L .-\.u>;u^tinu: Hattie. wile of George 
Frver, and Miss Ella Brown. 



JOHN A. RICHESON — One of the unique characters, whose life was 
spent in lola and whose original traits will remain fresh in the minds 
of his acquaintance? and friends, is the late John A. Riche.son. He passed 
twenty-four years in Allen County — the most of them around lola — and he 
demonstrated that his ch.ief quality was industry. He was born of humble 
parents and his child opportunities were those of the wage earner at what- 
ever came in his way. He learned no trade and seemed to have no genius 
or special adaptation for mechanics. He drifted along through life from 
place to place — till he reached lola — having little more of life's riches than 
would su,-~tain life. His notions of industry were that it should always be 
practiced. It was the corner stone of comfort and riches and the promoter 
of good health. He loved to work at good pay, hut if he could not get 
such a berth he took one with poor pay rather than none. When jobs 
around lola were scarce he plied the trade of fisherman. This occupation 
no doubt, sustained his family and supplied his few personal w'ants many 
times in the absence of steady employment. Another, and a favorite, occu- 
pation of his was selling soda pop. His voice was heard at nearly every 
fair, picnic and show at lola crying the sale of these goods. He possessed 
peculiar and successful qualities in the conduct of such a business and the 
profits he reaped always went to the support of his well trained and honora- 
ble family. 

Johnny Richeson was born at White Hall, Indiana, March 4, 1S52. 
He was a son of William Richeson, an early settler in Indiana and an old 
soldier. His business was that of shoemaking and he died at Renssalaer, 
Indiana. William Richeson married Lizzie E. Jackson, who was Johnny's 
molher. The latter came to Kansas, and to Allen County, many years ago 
and it was her last sickness that brought her oldest child, our subject, to 
the State, August 4, 1875. 

December 24, 1878, Mr. Richeson was married in lola by Judge Boyd 
to Roena Wright, a daughter of Amos Wright. The Wrights came to 
Allen County from McLean County, Illinois, in 1869. The Richesons 
finally located on State street where Johmiy purchased a small amount of 
property and erected a modest dwelling. His surplus earnings were de- 
voted to the improvement of and betterment of his home and when he died. 



I 




€fFy<^-^^^~'C^>^*j<U •« A-'Ca-'d-TA^ 



■WOODSON COUNTIKf,, KANSAS. 403 

February 16, 1900, his family was provided with the means to straighten 
up all his affairs and to secure them against the storms of adversity. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richeson's children are; Louie, Charles A., Harry A., 
Lydia E., Warner A., Addie D. , Oril L,., William E. and Thelma Richeson. 

When Johnn\ Richeson died he was a member of the Select Friends 
and of the Odd Fellows. It is the custom for the latter order to bury their 
dead, but, at his request, the order was not permitted to contribute more 
than its attendance at his obsequies. It was his disposition to be inde- 
pendent and to permit no one to put him under obligation to them. He 
desired to give full value for all he received and if he could not do this he 
declined assistance. 



A /riSS FRANCES WILSON— Fifteen years of public service is sufficient 
-'-"-L jQ establish the good name of the person whose name introduces 
this review. It is an ample guaranty of all the elements which constitute 
integrity, truth and sobriety and these qualities are little more than an 
apology for the real attributes which enter into the mental composition of 
Allen County's lady Treasurer. 

Frances Wilson was born in Allen County after the war of the Re- 
bellion. Her father, James H. Wilson, a worthy farmer of lola township, 
came into the countj' near the close of 1863 to take up his residence 
permanently. He drove the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Humboldt stage, 
but upon leaving this employ he arranged with O'Brien, Scott and Amsden 
to care for their cattle around about Humboldt. He became so attached to 
the country that when his period of service as a cattle man was terminated 
he decided to remain here and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1866 
he resided on 'the Neosho River (on the Willenburg farm) where his daugh- 
ter and .second child was born. He has vibrated between lola and Hum- 
boldt townships in these thirty-five years, finally becoming a fixture of 
the latter. 

Mr. Wilson was born in Gurnsey County, Ohio, August 3, 1836, and 
is a son of Enos Wilson, a native of Maryland. The latter, with his wife, 
went into Ohio early and died when James was a small child. An uncle 
took the orphaned boy with the intention of bringing him up but he, too, 
died and the boy, at the age of six years, was forced to provide the greater 
part of his means of support. He got little chance to prepare himself along 
educational lines for the battles of life, as he became a farm hand from the 
first and remained one until he left Ohio. In 1854 he went to Champaign 
County, Illinois, and was engaged in farming until his entry into Kansas 
during the war period. In August. 1863, he was married to Rebecca J., a 
daughter of John Ellis, a native of Indiana. 

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Wilson emigrated to Kansas. He 
took the boat at St. Louis for Lawrence and left that place on the last stage 
out before the guerrillas sacked the town. Their baggage containing all 



404 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXD 

their personal effects were destroyed and thus thej' entered Allen County. 

George, Frances and Samuel Wilson are the children of James H. 
Wilson. The former is an employee of the Santa Fe Railway Companv, the 
last named is a progressive young farmer of lola township, and Frances is 
the subject of this brief sketch. 

"Frankie" Wilson is known to every tax-payer in Allen County. She 
began getting acquainted with them away back in the regime of "Pap" H. 
H. Hayward, for whom she engaged as a clerk in 1S86. She wasinot 
specially equipped for such a responsible place but the good old man gave 
her a chance and that was what she desired. Slie had attended the schools 
of her district and advanced far enough to have become a "common school 
graduate" had that ceremony been established in her day. In the Treas- 
urer's office her first years were those of a student. The numerous details 
of the office she set out earnestly to niastet and before her preceptor retired 
from office she knew them perfectly. When Mr. Cunningham took charge 
of the office he retained Miss Wilson as his deputy. This movement was 
in full accord with the sentiment of the public for she was even then 
regarded as necessary to the perfect and systematic conduct of the office. 
Having served through this term, the public was again gratified to learn 
that Mr. Nelson had arranged to keep her with him through his adminis- 
tration of the office. The same sincere sen'ice was rendered to him as was 
to his successor, Mr. Decker, through both of whose regime she was all but 
the chief of the office. In all clerical matters pertaining to the conduct 
of the affairs of the office Miss Wilson was reliable almost to infallibility. 
Her natural modest and retiring disposition coupled with her capacity and 
ability as an accountant made her a favorite with her predecessors and, 
when the time for the nomination of a new Treasurer approached, she was 
the favorite with the people. 

Women seldom become politicians, save in Kansas. The calling is 
honorable when engaged in in response to a universal and" enthusiastic 
outburst of the people. Her campaign for the nomination for County 
Treasurer was not a campaign. When it was known that she would serve 
in that capacity she was the nominee. People like to support their friends 
for office and she was everybody's friend. 

When the convention was called she had been named in the primaries 
and all that was left was the formal announcement of the result. The 
election was almost as pronouncedly in favor of her. Her majority greatly 
exceeded the normal Republican majority in the county. She was installed 
October 9, 1900 and chose for her deputy one of the most popular men of 
the 20th Kansas, Lewis Coffield. 

It is a fact that criticism is one of the penalties of success. In the 
brief review of the life of our subject there seems to have been nothing but 
success, yet there is not in all Allen county one who would be warranted 
in engaging in other than favorable criticism of her years of public service. 
No person in public life in Allen county has so unanimously won the good will 
and confidence of the whole people as she, and no person, whether in public 
or private life, so richly deserves such unreserved endorsement and approval. 



■WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. ^Oj 

Y TENRY M. MILLER, of lola, whose connection with the developinent 
J- -^ ot Allen county has extended over a period of twenty-one years and 
whose citizenship is a synonym for integrity, honor and patriotism, \vas 
born in Hayesville, Ohio, August i6, 1838. His father, Samuel G. Miller, 
was a doctor of medicine. The latter was fitted for his profession in 
Wooster, Ohio, in the office of Dr. Day. He practiced in Richland county, 
Ohio, till 1S54, when he removed westward and settled in Washington 
-county, Iowa. He died in 1894, ^t the age of eighty-five years and is 
buried in Minnesota. He is descended from the Millers of Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, and was a son of George Miller. His wife, our subject's 
mother, was Nancy J. McEwen, born in the State of Pennsylvania. She 
died in 1874 and is buried at Washington, Iowa. The children of their 
union are: Nancy J., Henry M., Samuel R., Elizabeth J., Mary E., George 
F., Ella May and Wilbur D. 

Henry M. Miller is the second child of his parents. His life up to his 
sixteenth year was passed in Richland county, Ohio. At that age he ac- 
companied his parents into Iowa and soon engaged in teaching school. He 
taught in Washington and nearby counties for seven years, spending his 
spare hours and his vacations reading medicine as his calling and fully in- 
tended to enter a regular school (Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,) 
when his preliminary preparation should be completed. He returned to 
Ohio about the tiaie the war cloud broke upon the country and there 
responded to the President's second call for troops. He enlisted September 
3, 1 86 1, as a private in Company E, Third Ohio cavalry. He was promot- 
ed to Sergeant four days after his enlistment, while in camp at Monroeville, 
Ohio, and to Sergeant Major August 11, 1862, in the field while in Ken- 
tucky. March 21, 1863, he was promoted to ist Lieutenant, while the 
army lay around Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and April 24, of the same year, 
he was raised to the Staff Department and assigned to duty as Assistant 
Commissary of Mu.5ters on the staff of Brigadier General R. B. Mitchell, 
ist Brigade, ist Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. He was trans- 
ferred to the staff of Gen. E. M. McCook, ist Brigade, 2nd Cavalry division 
of that army, and again transferred, this time to the staff of Major General 
\\'. L. Elliott, ist Cavalry division. Army of the Cumberland. His final 
transfer was to the Executive Staff ot Major General W. T. Sherman where 
he was assigned to duty as Military Conductor of United States Military 
railroads. Army of the Tennessee. November 20, 1864, he resigned his 
position upon surgeon's certificate of disability, and accepted, soon there- 
after, the position of Paymaster, United States Military railroads in the 
office of F. J. Grilly, Nashville, Tennessee, Assistant Quarter- Master Gen- 
eral. August 20. 1865, he resigned this position and returned to pri- 
vate life. 

In all Mr. Miller's service his positions were not sinecures. Duty called 
him where the fray was going on and he met the enemy with his comrades 
in many noted battles of the war. In 1S62 he was in the engagement ^t 
Lexington, Kentucky; Franklin, Columbia; Woodville and LaVergne, 



HISTORY OF ALLEN ANT/ 

Teiuiessee, and at the evacuation of Corinth. Mississippi. In 1S63 he 
participated in the battles- at Fayetteville, Shelby ville and Tullahotna,. 
Tennessee, and in the brushes at Tuscumbia and Sand Mountiin, Alabama. 
In 1864 he did his p.irt in entcrtaininj^ the Rebels at Snake Creek Gip, 
Pumpkin Vine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Crossinj; of the Chattahooche and 
the siege of Atlanta. He took part in the following general engagements 
in which he received seven wounds as reminders of the execution of the 
enemy: Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chicaniauga, Resaca. Kennesaw, Peach Tree 
Creek and Atlanta, as before .stated. 

The war ended, Mr. Miller engaged in teaching school. From 1S65 
to 1S70 he resided in Carroll county, Indiana, from whence he came west- 
ward to Bates county, Missouri. In 1873 he returned to Indiana and in 1876 
came to Kansas. For some years he was traveling salesman with his home 
in lola. He was engaged in the furniture business here in the early 
eighties and. succeeding in this, he was cashier of the Bank of Allen coun- 
tv nearly thirteen years. About a year after his retirement from the bank 
he became a candidate for the office of Clerk of the District Court and was 
elected to it in November, i8g8. In the discharge of his official duties he 
has demonstrated rare ability as a competent and careful and pain.staking 
officer. 

Mr. Miller was married in Delphi, Indiana, February 5, 1S70, to 
M irgaret L. Evans, a daughter of James Evans. Mrs. Miller was born i n 
Indiana in 1845. The children of this union are: Bert E. and Rak Miller. 
The older served with Company I, Twentieth Kansas Volunteers, in the 
Filipino Insurrection and took part in inany of the noted engagements from 
Manila to the Bag Bag. 

The political alliance of the Millers was with the Whig, and then, the 
Re])nblican parties. Henry M., our subject, has been a Republican voter 
forty-two years and twenty-three j'ears of that time has been a leader in 
Allen county politics. His broad information and his positive conviction 
render him one of the characters of the county. He is prominent in the 
Blue Lodge and Chapter, A. F. and A. M., at lola, having passed all the 
chairs, and belongs to the Valley Consistory at Ft. Sott, Kansas. He has 
taken all degrees of Masonry, including the thirty-second and is a member 
of the subordinate lodge and encampment, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. As a citizen he is always a gentleman and has maintained an 
unblemished record for probity and honor. He is public-spirited to a 
marked degree and is one of the substantial men of lola. 



T A WILLIAM H. RICHARDS, than whom, among the old residents 
" '^ of lola, scarce a man is better known, came to the city in October 
1S65. His original home was in Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred 
in- Lebanon, that state, December 19, 1833. Samuel Richards was his 
father and he, too, was born in Lebanon county. His trade was that of a 



WOOBSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 40^ 

\veaver but in later life he drifted into farming and he died such, in Frank- 
lin county, Pennsylvania, about 1890. He was born in iSoo, was a Demo- 
crat, a success in business and one of Jesse Richards' sons. The last 
named died in Lebanon county about 1837 at near the age of eighty years. 
Tlie Richards are Pennsylvania German but their remote ancestors were, it 
is claimed, Scotch and Irish. 

The mother of our subject was Margaret Harklerode. She was born 
in 1S05 and died in 184S. Here children were: Joseph, who died and 
left a son in Ohio; Sarah, deceased, wife of Mr. Harmon, and left a family 
in Franklin county, Pennsylvania; John Richards, well known to old 
lolans; William H.; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Gerhart, resides in Franklin 
county, Pennsylvania, and three other children who died in infancy. 

From the age of seven years our subject passed his boyhood and youth 
in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. His school advantages were quite 
poor and it can be said that he secured no more than a common country 
school education. At the age of eighteen years he began life independ- 
ently by starting an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade. John Stickle 
was his master and with him he remained to fulfill the conditions of his 
bond. After completing his trade he traveled over some of the eastern 
mountain states, in company with his brother, John, and they traveled and 
worked in the states of Maryland, — at Hagerstown and Clear Springs — 
Virginia, and, lastly, into the state of Ohio — at Coddington and Ravenna. 

In September, 1865, Mr. Richards was married at Ravenna, Ohio, and 
came direct to lola. Here he continued his trade for a couple of years, 
adding to his scant stock of ready cash. He engaged in the restaurant 
business and his wife took up dress-making and millinerj-. From the 
restaurant and bakery business Mr. Richards drifted into the grocery busi- 
ness and, after running some five years he took W. A. Cowan in as a part- 
ner. A few years later Mr. Cowan went out and Mr. Lakin .succeeded 
hiai, and still later John E. Ireland joined the two and the firm of Rich- 
ards, Lakin & Ireland was one of the prominent business houses of lola, 
doing a wholesale business. Upon the retirement of Mr. Ireland, Richards 
& Lakin conducted a retail business for some time. Mr. Richards asso- 
ciated with him H. L. Henderson .some time later, and conducted the same 
business. About 1897 Mr. Richards disposed of his last business and en- 
tered retirement with thirty-two years of active service as a merchant and 
man-of-affairs to his credit. 

Mr. Richaids brought with him to lola about three hundred and fiftj- 
dollars, all of which he put into a house at once. This property was the 
two lots facing north at the southwest corner of the square. He invested in 
other propertj' as his accumulations would warrant, much of which is the 
most desirable in the city. His improvements include his handsome resi- 
dence at the head of Madison avenue and four business houses. Misfoi- 
tune, as well as fortune, has befallen Mr. Richards for he has made invest- 
ments which not only lost him his first outlay but required him to invest an 
additional sum to meet his letjal oblisrations and to retrieve his credit and 



4:oS nrsTORY of allekt asto 

maintain his good name. In the lola carriage works alone, he lost a sniu 
of money equivalent to a modest fortune. 

Mr. Richards married Amelia Miester, a daughter of Charles Miester,. 
M. D. Dr. Miester was a surgeon fifteen years under the great Xapoleon. 
and was a German by birth. Mr. and Mrs. Richards' children are: Maud, 
wile of Rev. Leslie F. Potter, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Blanche, wife ofi 
Elmer C. Mcl^ain, one of lola's young clothiers and furnishers. 

Mr. Richards is a liberal Democrat. He served once upon the town- 
council but has seldom permitted himself to enthuse over a political 
campaign. 



D.WIS BROTHKRS,— William E. and George S. Davis, are sons of the 
late Edward S. Davis, who founded the Davis Mills on the Neosho 
river, and who will be remembered by old residents of the Xeosho Valley. 
Davis Brothers were the immediate successors to theii father's business and 
conducted it successfully for more than thirty yeais. 

This particular Davis family is not one of the original Colonial fami- 
lies although it was established in New England near the opening of the 
nineteenth century. Commodore Davis, grandfather of our subjects, was 
born in Wales, came to the United States, a boy, grew up in New England 
and became a sea-faring man. He followed the coast and river trade of 
New York and New England. He married in Maine and removed his 
family to the Ohio river country at Marietta, at which place he died. His 
family consisted of three sons and a daughter, viz: Stephen, William and 
Edward S. Davis and Patience, who married Mr. Burck and made her 
home in St. Louis. Stephen reared a family at Marietta, Ohio; William 
reared a family in Pike county, Illinois, and all three brothers were boat- 
men in an 2arly da\'. 

Edward S. Davis was born in Maine in iSoS and died in lola in De- 
cember, 1S70. His early manhood was passed on the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers and flat boating and steam boating comprised his business. He 
made twenty-eight trips from Marietta to New Orleans and in the years 
that he followed the river he amassed considerable property. He gave up 
the river at forty-two years of age and took his family into the new state of 
Iowa. He had two aims in going to the prairie state on the north; one -.vas 
to get himself away from the river, of which he had become tired, and the 
other was to get his growing sons onto a farm. He bought a three hundred 
and fifty acre farm, but hardly had he obtained possession when he decided 
to engage in the milling business. He located in Ottumwa and opened 
business the next year. He conceived the idea of running a steamboat on 
the DesMoines river and went back to Marietta and built one. In this 
venture he made a mistake. He got the boat around to St. Louis and 
while tied up there a woman came aboard with smallpox. It was contrary 
to his nature to turn her away from shelter under even such circumstances 




^J^^ 



t^a^^M-'L---- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 409 

and it was the cause of his contracting the disease himself. When he 
finall}' got through with the authorities and the disease he had lost his boat 
and effects. A Pike's Peak venture then presented itself to Mr. Davis. 
He took his first son and crossed the plains in the spring of i860 and 
stopped to prospect in Quartz Valley. There was no mone}- to be made 
there with the pick and pan and they began getting out saw logs. They 
returned home in the fall of the same year and again the ferry proposition 
took possession of them. A boat was built at Ottumwa and, in the seven 
years it was run by the Davises, it yielded large profits. In 1868 they sold 
out their Iowa interests and came to Allen county, Kansas. 

At lola D. R. Hovey had built a grist mill on the Neosho river and 
this plant the Davises purchased for the fabulous sum of $14,250. It con- 
sisted of two burrs, a saw-mill and thirteen acres of land. The mill was 
situated on the river bank just above Riverside Park and it was operated 
there as a steam mill till 1880, when the dam at the bridge was constructed 
and the mill moved there and rebuilt. 

William E. Davis was born September 6th, 1839, and George S. , 
March 8, 1845. The brothers formed a partnership in early life. They 
were less than thirty years of age when they came to lola and their busi- 
ness life has been almo.st wholly passed here. Their recollection of the 
early diys of the Davis mills reveah the fact that much of its custom came 
from points far beyond the confines of .\llen and Woodsou counties. It was 
no uncommon thing to toll grists from Independence and to wait on trade from 
Eureka. They have served the public for little less than a third of a cen- 
tury and their labors have been liberally rewarded. 

Edward S. Davis' wife was Drusilla Alco^k. Their children are 
Patience, widow of Joel D. Myers, residing in Tampi, Florida; Mirtha, 
who died in 1S64, married Oliver Harlan; Francis, deceased, married Don 
Mitchell, Sarah, deceased, became Mrs. Elmer' Marsh; W. E.; George S.; 
Drusilla, wife of Elias Bruner, and Marietta, the widow of Colonel W. C. 
Jones 

William E. Davis enlisted in Company K, Forty-seventh Iowa Infan- 
try at Ottumwa, was in the service one hundred days and was stationed at 
Helena, .\rkansas. He received his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, when 
his enlistment expired and he returned to his business at Ottumwa. 

In 1867 Mr. Davis married Sarah Stevenson, a sister of Robert B. 
Steven.son, of lola. She died February 28, 1878, leaving one son, Edward 
S. Davis. A few years later Mr. Davis married Lydia, a daughter of 
Zadock Vezie. The children of this union are; Bertha, born December 
26, 1882; Laura, born March 6, 1888; Drusilla, born December 13, 1900. 

George vS. Davis was married June 3rd, 1873, to Ada J., a daughter of 
Joseph Norton, from Maine, who came to .\llen county in 1871. Estella, 
the wife of Harmon Hobart, is the only heir of Mr. and Mrs. George Davis. 

The politics of the Davises is no uncertain quantity. On the other 
hand they are of the positive and outspoken sort. The brothers were 
rocked in an abolition cradle and fed on Republican doctrine. T ey are 
not politicians beyond their interest in securing the adoption of such prin- 



4IO HISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

ciples of pul.)lic policy as will insure greatest y;ood to the greatest number. 
They believe in every man having an opportunity to earn a do'lar, good 
the world over, and have great faith in the efficacy of the United States as 
a civili/.ing power. 



JOHN M. McDOXAI<D — On the count}- roster of Allen county appears 
the name of John M. McDonald who has just closed a service of six 
years as a member of the board of county commissioners. The public 
trust thus reposed in him is well merited for he is a citizen of pa- 
triotic spirit and faithful to his duties at all times. He was born 
in Lexington, McLean county, Illinois, February 22, 1843. His father. 
Jnnies McDonald, came from Kentucky, taking up his abode in Mc- 
Lean county in 1S33, his hoine being on a farm near Lexington. His 
liirth had occurred in the former State in 1S16. He was married at 
Spencer, Owen county, Indiana, to Miss Sall^; I. McXaught. daughter of 
Robert McXaught, one of the pioneers of that county. Three children 
were born of this unio"n: Mrs. Harriet Todd, wife of J. W. Todd, of Tulare 
county, California; Emily, deceased wife of Dennis McCarty, who also 
resides in Tulare county: and John M., of this review. The father con- 
tinued his residence in Illinois until 1857, when he came to Kansas, bring- 
ing -with him h.is family. He located upon the farm now occupied by his son 
and there resided until 1874. The journey to this State consumed a mont-li 
for they traveled in the primitive manner of the times, cro.ssing the Mi.ssis- 
sippi river at Louisiana, Missouri. 

John M. McDonald spent the first fourteen \ears of his life in the 
county of his birth and then accompanied his parents on their emigration 
to the Sunflower State, arriving in Allen county in the month of October. 
He well remembers many incidents of the trip and can also relate many 
stories of i)ioneer life in this section of the country. He obtained his edu- 
cation in the country schools, acquiring a good knowledge of those branches 
of learning whicli fit one for life's practical duties. At the time of the 
Civil war the spirit of patriotism was aroused within him and, in October, 
1 86 1, he joined the boys in blue of Company E, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, 
under Colonel Lynde, Henry Flesher being in command of the company. 
He was mustered in at lola and with his regiment was sent to Leavenworth 
in February. 1S62. In May of the same year the troops were ordered back 
through lola to Grand River, in the Indian Territory, and participated in 
the battle of Prairie Grove and several minor engagements. Subseijuently 
they returned to Fort Scott where the regiment was detailed to guard the 
Missouri and Kansas line, being stationed there for one year. Later it was 
sent to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and to Harrison ville, Mis.souri, spending 
the winter of 1863-4 in the latter place, and wliile there Mr. McDonald and 
others re-enlisted. After a furlough of thirty days, during which time he 
visited his home, he rejoined his regiment as a veteran. In the meantime 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 41! 

the Ninth Kansas Cavalry had been sent to Fort Smith and thence pro- 
ceeded to Little Rock. In July of that year they participated in several 
eugageniiuts with tli2 ba-ihwhacker-i uiilir Riybiirii, and Iron tha Arkan- 
sas capital thev were sent to Brownsville of that State, on White river, 
where the winter of 1864-5 was passed. During that winter and the follow- 
ing spring and summer they again met the bushwhackers in several en- 
gagements. After four years of faithful service, in which he loyally de- 
tended the starry banner of the Union, Mr. McDonald was honorably dis- 
charged in August, 1865, at Brownsville. 

Returning to lola he has continuously resided in Allen county. He 
was married at the county-seat in August, 1866, to Miss Levina Anderson. 
who came to Allen county from Cuyahoga county, Ohio. She has two 
brothers living, T. T. Anderson, of lola, and George Anderson, a lesident 
of Baxter Springs, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have been born 
four children, Anna, Cora, Lura and Frank, who are all with their parents. 

As a means of livelihood Mr. McDonald has followed farm and stock- 
r.iising, and during his connection with those pursuits he has, through 
energetic effort, guided by sound judgment, won a comfortable competence. 
In politics he has ever been a stalwart Republican. He was twice elected 
township trustee. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to the ofRce of count-y 
commi.ssioner, was re-elected in 1897 and in 1898 he became chairman of 
the board. During his incumbency many improvements were made 
in the county buildings and the work of substantial progress has b2en 
carried forward in a marked degree, thus winning the commendation of all 
public-spirited and enterprising citizens. His career, both public and 
private, has been marked by the strictest integrity and faithfulness to eveiy 
trust reposed in him. The record of his life is unclouded by a shadow of 
wrong or a suspicion of evil, and he is today as true to his duties of 
citizenship as when he followed the starry banner upon the battle-fields of 
the South. 



SIMON P. RUBLE came to Allen county in 1866 from Centre county, 
Pennsylvania, which is the place of his nativity, his natal day being 
February 5, 1840. The lamily is of German lineage and was founded in 
America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Germany, 
but crossed the Atlantic to the new world and participated in the early 
Indian wars which form an important chapter in the annals of America. 
His son, Peter Ruble, and grandfather of our subject, was born in Mifflin 
county, Pennsylvania, aud served with the American army in the war of 
iS(2. His early political support was given the Whig party, and on its 
dissolution he joined the Republican party. He read extensively and 
always kejit well informed on the issues and questions of the day, 
political and otherwise. He was married in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, 
and unto them were born four sous and two daughters, namely: Mrs. 



412 HISTORY OF ALLK.N AND 

Hartswick, Mrs. Basor, Jolin, Peter, Michael and Mathias. Tlie father 
passed away in 1882. 

Of his family, Peter Ruble Jr., became the father of our subject. He 
was born and reared in Centre county, Pennsylvania, and throughout his 
life carried on agricultural pursuits. He entered upon his independent 
business career without capital, save a strong constitution and a willingness 
to work, yet steadily he advanced on the road to affluence, becoming one 
of tiie wealthy farmers of Centre county. He died March 3, 1S77, at the 
age of seventy-three years His wile bore the maiden name of Margaret 
Meas, and was a daughter of Martin Meas, who was formerly connected 
with the Valentine Iron Works, of Centre county. Three children were 
lioru to Mr. and Mrs. Ruble: Simon P.; James, who died leaving a family 
at State College, Centre county, Pennsylvania; and Margaret, who became 
the wife of William Love, and at her death left a familj- in Center county. 

Simon P. Ruble was educated in the common .schools of his native 
county, and remained upon his father's farm until twenty three years of 
age, when he purchased a mill, which he operated for eight years. After 
traveling for a number of years in different states, he came to Kansas in 
18S4, locating in Allen county. He purchased what is known as the 
Weller farm, adjoining lola, and still resides upon that property, devoting 
his time to its further cultivation and improvement. He is systematic and 
methodical in his business and has achieved creditable success. 

On Christnns Day, of 1866, in Penns\ Ivania, Mr. Ruble was united 
in marriage to Miss Ellen Lee, a daughter of John Lee. who was one of the 
early settlers of Centre county and who married Miss Jane Livingston. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruble have been born eight children, five sons and three 
daughters, namely: Anna, wife of Prof. J. W. Stevens, of the agricul- 
tural College at Stillwater, Oklahoma; James, who is connected with the 
smelters at Cherry vale, Kansas; Calvin, who is with the Lanyon Zinc 
Company, of lola; Mamie Bertha, Elmer, Ella and Grace, who are still at 
home. Mr. Ruble always votes the Republican ticket. He has filled the 
office of justice of the peace and has several times served as a school officer. 
As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, and his 
life illustrates what may be accomplished through consecutive effort when 
guided by practical business judgment. 

WILLIAM J. DONNAN, of LaHarpe, one of Elm township's 
thorough-going and representative farmers, came into Allen 
county September 12, 1879. and located upon the north-west quarter of 
section 11, township 24, range 19. This tract was formerly the property of 
W. H. Arnett but when it came into the hands of Mr. Doniian it had 
scarcely the semblance of improvements and might with propriety be termed 
an unimproved farm. Those who remember it then and who look upon it 
now will acknowledge the wonderful change which has been wrought in 
little more than a generation. 

Mr. Donnan came from Livingston county, Xew York, where he was 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 413 

horn November 7, 1854. His father, John A. Donnau. was born in the 
same county in i8jQ and died there in i8g6. He began life as a farmer 
and ended it as such and his resources through life were ample to provide 
for the wants of himself and family. He was descended from the Scotch 
of New York and was a son of John Donnau, born at Amsterdam, that 
state. The latter died in 1870. His early life was passed in the tanning 
busine.ss but he grew out of this and into a farmer. He moved into Liv- 
ingston county before Rochester was founded. 

John A. Donnan married Mary Milroy, a daughter of John Milroy. 
The father came to the United States from Scotland in 1819. He settled 
in Livingston county and three generations of the family reside ou the old 
homestead. John A. Donnan's heirs are: William J. ; John M. , of York. 
New York; George A., of York, and Ann^, wife of C. H. Hackney, of 
LaHarpe. 

Our subject spent his youth on his father's farm. He separated from 
the old home at twenty-two and began life as a larm hand. This was his 
chief employment while he remained in the east and for a time after com- 
ing to Kansas. January 5, i8f4, he was married to Eliza D. Brister, a 
daughter of Thomas Brister, of Elm township. Their onlj' child is Zoe 
B. Donnan. 

The political history of the Donnans is one unbroken record of Repub- 
licanism. The pioneer Republicans of the family came into the party from 
the Whigs and thej' are of the patriotic and public-spirited people of their 
communities. 



T 



HE RITTER BROTHERS.— In September 1882 two boys, Chris 
Ritter and John Ritter, came to Kansas from their home in Clark 
county, Illinois. 

The town of Bronson had only been founded a short time and it was 
here these pioneer representatives of the Ritter family in Kansas, first 
located. They came from a family of farmers both having been born and 
raised on a farm in Illinois. Having no relatives in the West they located 
in Marmaton and Elsmore townships where for some years they made their 
home with the Welkers and Fords and other Clark county, Illinois, people 
who had located in Kansas. At that time the Rocklow school was with- 
out a teacher. A few days after his arrival in the vState, Chris was em- 
plo>ed as teacher for the winter term of school. Rocklow was then famous 
for one thing, that was its big bad boys. 

John Ritter secured a position with William Davis and Sam Stout to 
help them run their threshing machine. At that time the millet was not 
threshed until during the winter for granaries and barns vvere unknown. 
Grain was kept stored in the stack until a market was found for it. In the 
following January while threshing millet on the farm of D. W. Youngs, in 
Spring Valley, John Ritter accidentally had his right hand torn off by 



4>4 



HISTOKV OF AI.LKX AXTi 



gfttiiig it caught in the side gear of an old horse power machine. He was; 
then but a boy, six hundred miles from home and among strangers Boys 
with less pluck and determination would have given uji the battle in the 
West and returned to the parental roof, but not so with John Ritter. 

During the next summer and even before his wounded arm had en- 
tirely healed he secured work on the farm and continued in that capacity 
for several years. In about i8qo he together with his brother Chris bought 
a livery stable in Bronson and he entered into that business which he fol- 
lowed very successfully for several years, afterwards buying a livery stable 
in lola. He moved to that city and has been in the livery business ever 
since. In 1S91 he married Dclana Evans, a daughter of Jesse Evans, for 
years one of the leading men of Bronson. 

Chris Ritter taught school in Rocklow and Stony Point, the adjoining 
district, for four years. He farmed during the summer season and in iSSS 
quit leaching and devoted himself eiitirely to farming and stock raising. 

When the Alliance and kindred Farmer's organizations were organized 
in 1.SS9 and 1.S90 he took an active part and was President of the first 
County Alliance of Allen county. During the summer of 1S90 when the 
Farmer's Alliance movement began to take shape as a political organiza- 
tion, he together with "Doc" Aitken issued a call for a mass convention iir 
lola to organize the Peoples Party in this county. When the party was 
organized in the Second Congressional District he was the only delegate 
from Allen county to that convention which was held in Fort Scott. In 
September, 1S90, Chris Ritter sold his farming outfit and stock and moved 
to Bronson to take up the study of law. He was elected Justice of the 
Peace in the election that fall and when the town of Bronson was incor- 
porated as a city of the third class the following spring he was elected 
Police Judge. In September, 1S91, he was admitted to the Ixir in the Dis- 
trict Court of Bourbon county of which Hon. S. H. Allen, afterwards Jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court, was then Judge. During the winter of 1891 he 
made a trip to Oklahoma to look up a better country to settle in but came 
back satisfied that lola and Allen county were good enough. In April, 
1S92, he moved to lola and opened up a law office. At that time the 
F'armer's Friend, the Populist newspaper, was in hard lines and the pub- 
lishers, Wixon Brothes, had announced their intention to discontinue tlie 
paper. Mr. Ritter at once realized that the Peoples Party in Allen county 
needed the Farmer's Friend. . He had some newspaper experience, having 
done considerable work on the local paper at Bronson while he lived there. 
Largely through his efforts others were interested in the Farmer's P'riend 
and its publication continued with S. D. Bartlett as editor and himself as- 
sociate editor. 

Mr. Bartlett severed his connection with the paper later on and Mr. 
Ritter assumed charge of it. The Allen County Herald, a Democratic 
paper published in lola at th.it time, was absorbed by him and consolidated 
with the Farmer's Friend. The business of a Populist lawyer and weekly 
newspaper of the same political faith .seem to go well together and Mr. Ritter 
continued them for many years. In 1896 he was nominated by his party for 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 415 

County Attorney and endorsed by the Democrats and elected. After his 
ierm e.^pired he again took up his private practice and newspaper work 
ar.d is still at it. 

Among the young ladies who attended the Rocklow .school during the 
•time Mr. Ritter taught it was Miss Hattie Welker. In 1893 Mr. Ritter 
made a trip to Minnesota where Miss Welker was visiting relatives and 
;they returned married, very much to the surprise of their friends and rela- 
tives here. They have two girls, Neva and Casandra. They live in a 
pleasant home at the corner of Broadway and South Elm, in lola. 



T~^ELMER PIERCE NORTHRUP, chief ol the mercantile interests of 
-' — ' the Northrnp estate and son of the late L. L. Northrup, was born in 
lola July 20, 1867. His birth occurred in the house which is the residence 
of Dr. Fulton on Xorth street, and all the years of his youth and middle 
life have been pa.ssed in lola. He passed through the grades of the city 
schools, almost to graduation, and, at the age of eighteen, took a permanent 
position in the store of O. P. Northrup & Company. This was not a new 
■experience for him for his father had been a merchant many years before 
and either conducted a business or had an interest in one all the years he 
lived in lola and thus his sons grew up in the business. When the 
Northrup interests were separated into distinct departments our subject 
became the head of the drygoods division. He was amply equipped to ac- 
cept the responsibility and "Northrups" has continued to be, as in the 
past, the popular trading point in the gas belt. 

The firm of Northrup Brothers came into existence in 1S90 as succes- 
sors to O. P. Northrup & Company and is composed of F. A., L. L. and 
D. P. Northrup. The special educational equipment of our subject for 
any line or department of the Northrup interests was secured in Eastman 
Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. He took a course there in 
1885 in which he secured that thorough drill necessary to convert theory 
into practice. 

Mr. Northrup's interest in matters pertaining to lola is a lively and 
growing one. His mind is on his store by day, with his family at night 
and on lola all the time. He has aided liberally any movement to adver- 
ti.se his town or to make it bigger and better. He is fond of sport and he 
enthuses over baseball and the fair. He is interested in the cause of labor 
and encourages its efforts and entertainment in lola. He believes in high- 
er education and represents the third ward on the Board of Education. He 
is in sympathy with fraternities and is in good standing with the Knights 
of Pythias and the Elks. He is a man with strong likes and dislikes and 
while his friends are legion you can count his enemies on the fingers of one 
hand. In politics he is a Republican in State and National matters but in 
local affairs his ticket often suffers some modifiation to adjust it to his 



4l6 friSTDRY (IF ALLEN ANTl 

views. His universal popularity is attested by his election, without oppo- 
sition to a place on the Board of Education in 1899. 

October 9, 1889, Mr. Xorthrup was married in Tola to Docia, daui^hter 
of Riley Young. Mrs. Xorthrup was born in Allen county June 9, 1S69. 
The children of this union are: Gladys Younj;, born July 29, 1S90; Lewis 
O., born January 28, 1893, and Lillian, born June 29, 1896. 



CONSTAXTINE G. MULL, is one of Allen county's early .settlers. 
He came amongst the pioneers of this county in 1866 and settled in 
Carlyle township on a farm in section 25, township 23, range 18. He was 
reared a farmer and wlien he established himself in the new west it was but 
natural that he should turn his attention to the farm and field. He had 
had ample training and it was not surprising that he should succeed. He 
remained with the farm for nearly thirty years, leaving it only when tlie 
death of his wife deprived him of a companion and rendered the old home 
dreary and depressing. 

Mr. Mull was born near Rockville, Indiana, October 3, 1842. His 
father was Jacob Mull, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and a 
country school-mate of James Buchanan, the fifteenth President of the 
United States. Mr. Mull was born Xovember 5, 1805, was married in 
Lancaster county about 1836 and removed to Columbiana county, Ohio. In 
1S40 he settled in Parke county, Indiana, where he became one of the 
prominent and successful fanners of his day. He spent his last years in 
Rockville, dying there in 1874. He was a son of Xicholas Mull, a German 
by birth who died near the place of his settlement in Pennsylvania. He 
seems to have had an only son, Jacob, who.se sons, alone, bear the f.unily 
name of this American branch, 

Jacob Mull married Mary A. Durrah, whose father, William Durrah, 
was a tailor in Columbiana county, Ohio. Mary A. Mull died at Rock- 
ville, Indiana, in 1885, at the age of seventy-three years. Her children 
are: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Burford, of Marshall, Indiana; Lucinda, 
widow of J. F. Clark, of Rockville. Indiana; Susan, deceased, mairied 
William Snell; William D. Mull, who was killed by a maniac while sheriff 
of Parke county, Indiana; David H. Mull, of Mercer county, Missouri; Con 
G.; Martha, widow of William Elliott, ot Rockville, Indiana; John, who 
died in Montgomery county, Kansas; Henry, on the old home in Indiana, 
and Martin Mull, who was killed at Ingalls, Kansas, by an accidental 
shot. 

Our subject possessed the advantages only of the country' youth of the 
early days in Indiana. When he left home it was to go into the army. 
He enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Cavalry, Colonel "Bob" Stewart, of 
Terre Haute. He was mustered in at Indianapolis and his regiment was 
sent south to General Thomas' army. His company was so situated that 
his fir.st year or more was spent fighting Bushwhackers. The first Rebel 



WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 417 

commander to engage their attention was General Joe Wheeler. The main 
campaign in which the Eleventh was engaged was the one at Franklin and 
Nashville, Tennessee, and at the latter place Mr. Mull was discharged 
after two years of service. This military experience served to stimulate in 
him a desire for other similar service later on and when the opportunity 
came to join a Kansas regiment to fight the Indians and recapture tlie 
white woaien who had been taken by them he enlisted in the famous Nine- 
teenth Kansas. He was on the march through Texas and the Territory 
where their mi.ssion was accomplished. The women were surrendered and 
tlie campaign ended with the close of winter. The winter of 1868 was a 
long and cold one and those who saw service in the marching across the 
trackless plains, through snow and ice and under the protection of Heaven 
alone, are t<j be praised for their heroism and revered for their self- 
sacrifices. 

Mr. Mull brought a small ^um of money with him to Kansas. He in- 
vested it in wild prairie and out of this he proceeded to develop a home. 
When he had done this he found it agreeable to himself to entertain matri- 
monial thoughts. He made the acquaintance of Miss Laura Adams and 
married her at Carlyle in September 1871. Mrs. Mull was a native of 
I'arke county, Indiana, and died without heirs, 1891. In N(jvember 1896, 
Mr. Mull married Mrs. Ella Curnutt. 

Mr. Mull is an enthusiastic Grand Army man and his Republican pro- 
clivities are among his pronounced characteristics. 



A KTIirR IJvKOY TAYLOR, of lola, whose career of above thirty 
-^~^ years in Kansas, has established for himself a reputation for business 
and a character for integrity, nnimpeached, throughout southeast Kansas, 
is particularly well known to the lumber trade of this section. Long years 
oi connection with these interests have not conspired to bring about this 
pr<jminence so much as the spirit with which he conducts his business and 
the enthusiasm which he maintains for the success of the "Hoo Hoo" 
tribe. His long residence in Kansas almost makes him a pioneer yet he 
has accomplished more for his locality than many pioneers and his 
individuality is firmly stam])ed upon whatever is honored with his serious 
attenti(jn. 

Rock Island, Illinois, is the birthplace of Arthur L. Taylor. He was 
born April 5, 1848, was reared in the country, largely, and is a son of 
Clinton G. Taylor. The latter went into Rock Island county in 1842 from 
Jefferson county, New York. He was born in the ICmpire State in i8og 
and of English descent. Our subject's great-grandfather was a soldier of 
the American Revolution. 

Clinton G. Taylor was a self-made man, a teacher in early life and 
taught one of the first schools to be held in Rock Island county. He was 
one of the conspicuous men of the early days in western Illinois, was a 



HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

Whig and, later, a Republican, and was appointed by the Lincoln adminis- 
tration Revenue Assessor in that State. He died in Galesburg, Illinois, in 
iSt>4. He was a strict Presbyterian and his son. Rev. M;irk B. Taylor, 
is a prominent Congregational clergyman, of Brooklyn, New York. He 
married Eliza M, a daughter of Asa Barnes, of Jefferson county. New York. 
Mrs. Taylor resides in Ottawa, Kansas. She was born in 1810. 

Clinton G. Taylor was the father of Mrs. F. A. Col^b, of Ireton, Iowa: 
Mrs. A. P. Gibson, of Xeosho county, Kansas; Rev. Mark B. Taylor, Past 
Chaplain of the National Grand Army of the Republic: Arthur L. and Mrs. 
Ella Tabor, of Ottawa, Kansas. 

Arthur L. Taylor spent the first twenty-one years of his life on the 
farm and was .schooled in such institutions as were common to sons of farmers 
trom 1S55 to iSt)5. With the money he made at farming a rented place 
the year he became of age he attended Bryant and Stratton's College at 
Davenport, Iowa. He spent the following season at farming atid, deciding 
to come to the western prairies, he drove a mule team through, in 1S69, to 
Neosho county, Kansas. The first three years in Kansas were devoted t(> 
farming — at that time his favorite calling. He had the experience of every 
country youth in Kansas in the early 70's, that of breaking prairie with 
Texas steers. To this he owes the cultivation of his wonderful stock of 
patience, and, if he has departed from the training which he received at 
his mother's knee, it was this that caused it. In 1872 he was appointed 
Deputy County Clerk of Neosho countj- and served as such, and as Deputy 
County Treasurer, lour years. In these capacities his natural business 
abilitv was given an opportunit\- to shine. His familiarity with the affairs 
of the county and his pronounced views with reference to the proper con- 
duct of the public business rendered him a formidable candidate for County 
Commissioner without his encouragement or consent. In 1876 he was elected 
to that oiSce and served the county ten years, continuously, with great 
ability and fidelity. Mr. Taylor was a Republican the first five years of his 
majority but he fell out with the tariff, believing it to be "legalized 
robbery" and he became a Democrat. His election as County Commission- 
er occurred in a Republican district and while serving as such he was in the 
lumber business at Osage Mission, now St. Paul, Kansas. 

In iSSS Mr. Taylor bought the S. A. Brown lumber yard in lola and 
that vear began a residence there which has been mutually profitable and 
pleasant to himself and his townsmen. Two years after his advent to the 
citv he was elected to the Council and was chosen Mayor in 1S97. He is 
one of the active members of the Commercial Club, and its President, and 
is the shaft which drives the machinery of the Allen County Fair As,socia- 
tion. This latter not only requires days of unremitting toil but nights of 
worrv and unrest, besides a yearly financial outlay. He has witnessed its 
periods of temporary adversity and has beheld its era of great success and 
popularity. 

Mr. Taylor was first married January i, 1874, to Annie, a daughter of 
Dr. G. W. McMillin, whose former home was in Lexington, Kentucky. 
Mrs. Taylor was born in Lexington in 1S51 and died in lola Januarj- 23, 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 419 

1893. Her children are: Ella, wife of Adlai Ewing, was born August i, 
1875; Clinton G., married to Pearl M. Harkness, was born September 15, 
1.S77, and is associated with his father in business; Ray, born July 9, 
18X3; Irene, born November 8, 1886, and Genevieve, born June 18, 1891. 
Mr. Taylor was married June 24, 1896, to Mrs. Julia Archibald, a daugh- 
ter of W. B. Alcock, of Marietta, Ohio. Mrs. Taylor was one of the suc- 
cessful and popular teachers in the lola schools foi some years. 



/-^HAKLES CALVIX AUSHERMAN, of lola, junior member of tlu- 
^-^ well known firm of Cowan & Ausherman, and Allen county's popu- 
lar ex-sheriff, came into the county in iSSo, a young man ju.st turned 
twenty-one. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March ii, 1859, 
and spent his first sixteen years in the famous Middletown Valley. The 
Aushermans were among the early and thrifty settlers of that valley and 
were, as the name indicates, of German origin. The growing of grain and 
the raising of stock took up their time and .ittention and their prominence 
as such was a matter of common report during the first half of the present 
century. They were Whigs in politics and Dunkards in religion. 

John Ausherman, our subject's grandfather, was born in the Valley 
and died there in 1864 at the age of seventy two years. His wife was 
Ldiay Arnold, and his children were twelve in number. John Ausherman's 
father was a German who settled in Middletown Valley during the closing 
vears of the i8th century and his children were: John, Henry, David and 
Mrs. Slifer. 

Samuel Ausherman, our subject's father, was born near Middletown, 
F'ebruaryi, 1834, and died in Bourbon county, Kansas, September [5, 
1891. He was married in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1S56 to Malinda 
C, a daughter of Daniel Leazer. In 1875 Mr. Ausherman left Maryland 
for the west and located near Springfield, Missouri. In 1880 he came to 
the vicinity of lola and in 1887 removed to Berlin, Bourbon county, and 
there died. Like his ancestors, Mr. Ausherman devoted himself to the 
farm and kindred enterjirises and at times made money and at times lost. 
He became a Republican early in the history of that party and was a man of 
positive and outspoken convictions. His son." are holding up the banner 
with credit to the family name and are honored citizens of their respective 
communities. 

The Leazers were also German. Daniel Leazer, or subject's maternal 
grandfather, was a well known blacksmith of the Valley and married Mary 
Gaver. Of their seven children Malinda C, was then seventh. She was 
born in 1838 and resides in lola. Her children are: Ella, wife of J')hn 
Moore, of Bourbon county, Kansas; Charles C; Benjamin M., a leading 
lawyer of Evanston, Wyoming; Alta May, wife of Henry W. Lambeth, of 
Allen county; Will C. , a grocer in Salt Lake, Utah, and Miss Kate Ausher- 
man, one of lola's talented teachers in the public schools. 

Charles C. Ausherman received a common school education. He 



(.•(I iiisToKv 111'' .\i.i.i-:n' and 

knew IK) Imsino.'^ but l:uiiiiii>; till he was twi-Mity-fivi.' years old. He l)ej;aii 
liis career as a intTchaiU in lola, with Hart & Wck-li. His next employ- 
er was I). H. Stephens aiul. finally, he became the trnsted clerk of Cowan & 
Marsh. When Cowan & Norris entered into a partnership Mr. Ausher- 
nian's name became second in the firm. In iS.Sj the firm of Cowan & 
Ausherinan was formed and is one o( the substantial concerns of the city. 
Mr. Auslurman is the active head of the institution and to his popularity i- 
due, in yreat measure, the prosperity and perpetuity ol the firm. 

The fact that C. C. Ausherinan got into politics when he became a 
voter and immediately acipiired a following seems "a matter of course." 
His personal magnetism and his evident sincerity of purpose are the (|uali- 
lies necessary to leadership and it is hut natural that he should become a 
inoininent factor in the manipulation of party affairs, He was township 
clerk some years ago and w'hen the county campaign of 1893 approached 
his friends insisted upon his candidacy for the office of Sheriff. He ulti- 
m.itely consented and won the nomination easily, and the election by a 
majority of 234 votes. His idniinistration of the office was so efficient as 
to win liiin a second election by a majority of 913 vcHes, and he left the 
otViee the most pojnilar ex-Sheriff of Allen county. He has served on the 
lola city Council, both before and since its charter as a second class city, 
and represented the first ward till 1900. His attitude toward his city is 
that of a public-spirited and progressive citizen. Worthy enterprises ap- 
l>eal to his liberality and worthy charities his financial supjiort. He 
is well know as an OiKl l-'ellow and is prominent in tile " Knights and 
Ladies" order. 

Mr. Ausherman was niurried December 20, 1S93, in Coffey ville, Kan- 
sas, by Rev. Freed, to Sadie J. Proctor. Her father was Richard Proctor 
and her mother, Elizabeth Hratton. They were Kentucky jieople and 
came to Allen county in i8,Si. Mrs. Ausherman was born March 22. 1S70. 
Harold P. Ausherman, our subject's only child, was bcMii February 8, 1S9S. 



JOHN SCHLIMMFR. one ol the .substantial ()erman-.\mericans of Mar- 
maton township, has passed a quarter of a century in Allen county, 
upon section 3, town 24, range 20. He came to Kansas in 1S75 from 
Hamilton county, Ohio, and was in company with a colony of settlers who 
located in both Allen and Anderson counties. He was not a farmer by 
training but conditions in this new country pointed to success in farming, 
if the priiper energy and industry were present, ami knowing that he pos- 
sessed lioth the.se qualities Mr. Schlimmer did not hesitate to lr\ the ex- 
periment. With what success he has met it is sufficient to note the 
increased acreage of his farm and the improvements and the stock that are 
found thereon. 

Mr. Schlimmer was born in Kur Hessen, Germany, October 24, 1S39. 
He was a \'outh of seventeen when he started for the United States and liis 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 42 1 

destiiialioii was Cincinnati. He worked as a journeyman blacksmith for 
Mr. Stacey, on Walnut Hill, Cincinnati, five years and then established a 
blacksmith and wagon shop on the same hill. In the fifteen years that he 
conducted it he accumulated the surplus cash he invested in his Kansas 
farm. Mr. Schlimnier left Germany alone with only scant means to pay 
his passage but a fair knowledge of tlie trade he expected to follow. He 
sailed from Bremen aboaid the Harmonia, bound for Baltimore. He 
stopped a week in Frostburg, Maryland, to visit friends and then con- 
tinued his journey to Cincinnati. 

Mr. Schlimmer's father, John Schlimmer, was a farmer and three of 
his six children are in the United Stales, viz.: Adam, of St. Joe, Missouri; 
John, and Henry Schlimmer, of Ansonia, Ohio. Mary, Elizabeth and 
Christ Schlimmer are in Germany. 

Our subject was married in Cincinnati in 1861 to Elizabeth Neibert, 
who-was born in the same locality with her husband. Their children are: 
Mary, wife of Fred Bratts, of Moran, Kansas; Conrad and Elizabeth 
Schlimmer. 

Mr. Schlimmer's first vote was cast for Mr. Lincoln in i860 and his 
ballot has been counted at each Presidential election since. 



ROBERT ZIMMERMAN— The subject of this sketch furnishes a strik- 
ing example of what energy, coupled with tenacity and good judg- 
ment, can accomplish upon a Kansas farm. Twent}' years ago Robeit 
Zimmerman was not a citizen of Kansas. He was a poor laborer struggling 
with adversity in the mining district of Bureau county. Illinois. He came 
to the l.'itter place an ignorant, inexperienced young .Swiss in the hope of 
improving a condition of perpetual servitude in his native Switzi rland. He 
was born of poor parents May 6, 1845, and had acquired such school and 
othei advantages, at his twenty-first year, as were common to children in 
his station. His father, Jacob Zimmerman, died when our subject was 
a small boy and the needs of the family could only be provided for through 
the diligence and industry of the children. Robert was one of four and 
next to the youngest child. In his youth he got into the silver mines of 
Switzerland and eked out an existence for some years. At the age of 
twenty-three he decided to come to the United States, if he could make 
arrangements for the passage money. He secured a loan from a friend 
upon the promise that it should be returned out of the first money earned 
in America. He reached this country in r86g and went direct to the 
Illinois coal fields and secured work in the LaSalle mines. When he had 
repaid his passage money he laid by his earnings and soon brought over 
the mother, one sister and two brothers. The family circle was again 
united and he devoted his energies to providing the means for a permanent 
home. By the year iS.Si he had amassed a modest sum and with it he 
came to the friend of the poor man, Kansas. He purchased an unimproved 



422 HISTORY OF ALLKX AND 

eighty cheap and from thenceforward was a farmer. His beginnings were- 
very humble and his first yeirs in Kansas were in the nature of a struggle- 
for comfortable existence. He laid then the foundation for the comfortable 
surroundings, which are his in the years of his decline, and solved well the 
first problems in American agriculture. Each year found him a trifle in 
advance of the year before. His accumulations were invested in more 
land, from time to time, and he now pays taxes on a half section, one of 
the good farms on Big Creek. With his surroundings he presents, to a 
nrarked degree, an appearance of thrift and comfort. His cribs and mows 
are filled with the products of the farm, and his yards of stock indicate from 
whence comes the reward for his toil. By close application he has reached a 
condition of financial independence exceeded by few farmers in his town- 
ship and he is reganied as one of the full-handed farmers of Elsmore. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Zimmerman was married to Christina Thomas. Their 
family is a large one, twelve of their thirteen children being alive. They 
are Christina, Mary, John, Lillie, Clara, Thomas, Ella, Victoria, Olga, 
Julia, Nellie and Eva. Nine of the number are with the family home while 
three are married and building homes for themselves. 



GAYLORD ROBINSON, highly regarded among the busine.ss men of 
lola, and universally respected as a citizen, came to Allen county 
March i, 1S70. He came out of Illinois, his native state, being born in 
Peoria county, November 21, 1841. His father, George Robinson, wa,s a 
farmer who located in Peoria county in 1S35 and opened up a pre-emption 
claim upon which he reared his family. He was born in Otsego county. 
New York, and the .son of an Irishman. His birth occurred in 1794 and 
his death on his Illinois farm in 1S72. He was a plain quiet citizen, with- 
out fuss or show or desire for place. He was reasonably successful in his 
vocation and brought up his children to be useful men and women. His 
brothers were: Thomas, John, David, Matthew and Charles. Thomas. 
David and Charles left no families. 

George Robinson married Maria Gaylord who died in 1873, leaving 
the following children: William, of Brimfield, Illinois; Thomas, deceased; 
Abigail, deceased, wife of C. C. Cady; Eliza, wife of N. Dunlap, resides in 
Dunlap, Illinois; Harriet, now Mrs. J. M. Miller, of Galva, Illinois; 
Charles, of Memphis, Tenne.ssee; Lucy, wife ol J. A. Nelson, of Benton, 
Iowa; Fannie, of Webb City, Missouri, wife of R. L,oeb; David Robinson, 
of lola; George, of Webb City, Missouri; M. Gaylord; Emeline, deceased, 
married the late James L. Woodin, of lola. 

Until his entering the volunteer army Gaylord Robinson was a farmer. 
He enlisted August 11, 1S62, at Peoria, Illinois, in Company G, Seventy- 
seventh Illinois Infantry, Captain John D. Rouse, Colonel D. P. Greer. 13th 
Army Corps. His regiment was in the Aimy of the Tennessee till the 
surrender of Vicksburg when it was placed in the department of the Gulf. 



"WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 423 

His division was the first to cross the Mississippi river when Grant's army 
' -was getting into the rear of Vicksburg. His first battle was at Arkansas 
Post, then followed Port Gibson and the other bloody ones leading up to 
;the capture of Vicksburg. The Seventy-Seventh went to Matagorda Bay, 
Texas, late in the summer of 1863 but returned east in time to take part in 
Banks Expedition. At the battle of Sabine Cross Roads in this campaign 
our subject was captured and was confined in the Confederate military 
stockade at Tyler, Texas, till the end of the war. He was turned over to 
the Fedsral authorities in May and was mustered out July 6, 1865. He 
returned to civil pursuits in Illinois at once He took up the trade of 
wagon-maker at Galva, with his brother and left the shop there to come to 
Kansas. He reached lola with a capital of about thirt)--five dollars. He 
did some building that summer but in the fall went into the wagon shop of 
Winans & Xaylor. He was associated with L. H. Gorrell for a time in 
shop work and was joined by Weith & Cozine some years latter. The 
next five years Mr. Robinson spent on a farm near lola which he traded, in 
1885, for his lola residence. He owns the west half of block 59, some of 
the. most valuable property in the city. 

Mr. Robinson was married in lola March i, 1876, to Elnora I. Proctor. 
Their children are; Agnes, wife John Thompson, and TheoP. 

Mr. Robinson has taken a prominent and sinceie interest in public 
affairs in lola, having served on both the City Council and the Board of 
Education. He is a reliable and conservative business man and it is well 
for lola that his lot has been cast with her. 



JACOB H. L.-^DD,— The late Jacob H. Ladd, of lola, was born in I^ee.,- 
burg, Highland county, Ohio, February 23, 1843. He was a farmer's 
son and resided on the family homestead until November g, 1868, when he 
started for Verdi, Kansas. He remained there onU' temporarily and came 
to lola in December following. He was a carpenter and wagon makei 'and 
engaged in that business in this city. He died March 6, 1884. He was 
married December 7, 1871, to Amelia DeMoss, a daughter of Dr. Morton 
DeMoss, one of the early phj^sicians of lola. Mr. L,add's children are: 
Delia Ladd, of lola; John Ladd, of Sheridan, Wyoming; Mabel L., wife of 
L. C. Beaity, of lola, and Jacob Ladd, of lola. 



ALTES H. CAMPBELL. — Conspicuous among the attorneys at the bar 
of the Seventh Judicial District of Kansas is Altes H. Campbell. 
Born in Allen county, two miles east of Carlyle, on the 4th of May, 1862, 
he is all but a pioneer. His father, James H. Campbell, located in that 
county in i860, settling on Deer Creek where, between farming and law, 



424 HTSTOKY t)K ALLKN AXD 

he reared and mainlaiued his family. He was an emigrant from Switzer- 
land county, Indiana, where he was born in iSiS and reared and educated. 
He was a son of William Campbell, a relative of Colonel Harrod, who 
founded Harrodsburg, Kentiicicy, and with others came from Soutli Caro-- 
Una to aid in the founding of that city, about the time of Boone's period of 
greatest adventures. James H. Campbell was admitted to the bar in In- 
dima. In 1.S66 he was elected county attorney of Allen county and when 
his term expired he was sent to the Kin-iis St.ite Legislature by the Repub- 
licans of his county. He practiced la»v till 1872 when he engaged in farm- 
ing and stock raising in Anderson county, Kansas, afterwards removing to 
Colony, in that county, and later to lola where he died in 18S9. In i86o 
Bertha A. Simpson became the wife of James H. Campbell. She was a 
daughter of Mitthew Simpson, a cousin of Bishop -Simpson, of the Method- 
ist denomination. Matthew Simpson was one of the early educators of 
Allen county and was, for a time. Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
He was a man of strong personality, was a pioneer among teachers and 
impressed the boys and girls of the early seventies, in .\llen county, with 
the seriousness of his cause. 

Of the seven children born to James H. and Mrs. Campljell only three 
survive: Altes H., Miry J. an 1 James H Campbell. Tiie last named is 
one of the firm of Campbell & Burrell, druggists, of lola, and the mother, 
brothers and sister all live in the same yard. 

A. H. Campbell passed his early life amid the environments]of the farm. 
The common schools are responsible for his education and when he left the 
farm it was to take a clerkship in Colony, Kansas. Following this employ- 
ment he was placed in ch irge of a steam hay-press and operated it till 1S82 
when his uncle, "Cy" Simpson, appointed him to a position in the lola 
post office. His preparation for the law liad been going on all the time he 
was baling hay around Colony and his spire hours while in the post office 
were passed pouring ovei Blackstone, Walker's American Law etc. In 

1884 he left the post office and went into the office of A. C. Bogle, a 
leading attorney of lola at tiie time, and under his direction carried on a 
course of systematic reading, continuing the same later with Hon. Henry 
A. Ewing, a prominent member of the bar of Allen county. In August 

1885 he was admitted to the bar before Judge Leander Stillweil. 

"Alt" Campbell was poor, almost to poveity. when he was struggling 
for admission to the bar, and after his admission found it necessary to sup- 
olement his legal earnings by taking employment outside of his profession. 
He mastered stenography by study from the book without a teacher and 
did considerable court reporting. A few months he was cashier of the 
Bank of Allen County and when lola took on her first Democratic post- 
master he was invited into the office to give direction to the initial move- 
ments of the office force. Among the first acts in his professional career 
was to form a partnership with Hon. Charles E. Benton, then of lola but 
now Assistant Attorney of tlie Missouri Pacific Railroad with office at Fort 
Scott. The firm of Benton & Campbell gave way and that of Campbell & 
Hankins succeeded it. Campbell & Porter followed and was terminated 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 4^5 

by the uiitinifly death of John Porter. In 1900 .Mr. Campbell associated 
with him John P. Goshorn, County Attorney of Allen countj'. 

Mr. Campbell is admitted to practice before all the courts of the state, 
and in the United States Circuit and District courts. From i S95 to 1897 
he served as County .\ttorney, beiii-^ elected as a Democrat, and has filled 
the ofEcj of City Attorney of loU three terms and was elected Mayor of the 
city in April 1901. Politically he was always a Democrat until the adop- 
tion of the Chicago platform in 1896 when he left that party and cast his 
lot with the Republicans. 

June 12, 1888, Mr Campbell married Mrs. Mary Jeanette English, a 
daughter of Cyrus S. Potter, one of the well known citizens of lola and 
formerly of Watertown, New York. Mrs. Potter was Miss Adelaide E. 
Wafiel and their children are: "Xettie" Campbell, wife of our subject; 
Bert Potter, of lola; Irwin Potter, of Coffey ville, Kansas, and Rev. Leslie 
Potter, Rector of Grace Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell's children are Leslie J., Carl B. and Helen. 

In summing up the life of one whose race is only half run it is our 
privilege to touch slightly upon the attributes which form the mental com- 
position, and thus the character, of him whose name introduces this review. 
Reared without wealth, but in honor, Alt Campbell chose the paths of 
rectitude and virtue. He was ever a gentleman and when his preparation 
for life had been completed and he took his station among the men of his 
county it was with the determination to shun duplicity and avoid dishonor. 
In his profession his clientage has been drawn to him not onlv because 
he was learned in the law but because of his sincerity as a counsellor and 
of his standing and ability before the court. 

As a citizen of lola Mr. Campbell has an abiding faith in the future of 
his town and whatever aid he can render is done without e.xpectation of 
reward. He is a Mason and Odd Fellow, a Workman and a member of 
other fratern:il a.ssociations. In the business circle of his community his 
substantial worth is a matter of common recognition, and in his home his 
family possesses a loyal, indulgent and devoted head. 



"jVTIMROD HANKIXS, of lola, among Allen county's venerable pio- 
-L ^ neers and a gentleman who has performed his part in the moral, 
material and political upbuilding of his county, was born in Vermillion 
county, Illinois, .March i, 1851. He is a son of Fielden L. Hmkins, a 
Virginian, and a larmer and soldier of the war of 1812. The latter was 
married to Miss Fannie Drury, a lady of Virginia birth and of the age of 
her husband. This union was productive of eight children, three sons and 
five daughters, viz: Deborah Hays, who died in lola in 1895 at the age 
of eighty-four; Davis Hankins, who died in Andrew county, .Missouri, at 
the age of si.Kty years; Wesley Hankins, who died in McDonough county, 
Illinois, in 1S85; Emily Hays, of Leon, Kansas; .\ndrew J. Hankins, of 



426 HISTOKY OF AI.LKX A.ND 

Good Hope, Illinois; Rc\-. William Hankiiis, of lola, and Ninirod, our 
subject. 

Grandfather Druty was a Methodist minister in \'irginia, Tennessee 
and Kentuckj-. His wife lived to be near one hundred years of age. 

At the age of seventeen years Ninirod Hankins began life as a farmer 
and continued it in Illinois, and in Kansas till recent years. He left Illi- 
nois in 1S56 and came to Allen county, Kansas. He located near lola in 
the fall of the same year. When the war broke out he enlisted at lola in 
Company E, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, October 17, 1861. The regiment was 
commanded by Colonel Lynde and the company by Captain p-lescher. He 
enlisted as a private but was soon promoted to Orderly Sergeant and later to 
First Lieutenant and for six months he was on detail as recruiting oflicer. 
His .service was spent largely in running down Bushwhackers, one year of 
his enlistment being passed on guard duty along the Missouri and Kansas 
line. The regiment was sent south toward the end of the war into Ar- 
kansas, stopping at Fort Smith and Little Rock, spending several months 
in that state. The regiment was disbanded at Duvalls Bluff and there our 
subject was mustered out. 

November i, 1S55, Mr. Hankins was married to Elizabeth A. Case 
who was born November 20, 1844. She was an Allen county teacher and 
a daughter of Aaron and Amelia Case who came to Allen county in 1857 
from Franklin county, Kansas. Mr. Case came to Kansas in 1853 and was 
a trader among the Sac and Fox Indians on the Marias des Cygnes river. 
He erected one of the first store buildings in Cofachique and, when that 
place seemed destined to die he removed his stock to lola where he fol- 
lowed merchandising till his death, December 1862. Mr. Case was born 
in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1822, and was married in 1843 to Amelia 
Foster who was born in Clay county, Missouri. His widow resides in Fre- 
donia, Kansas. Their children are: William E. Case, a leading merchant 
in Freilonia, Kansas; Mrs. Nimrod Hankins; Mrs. Laura E. Hunt, of Fre- 
donia; Mrs. Louise J. Hudson, of Fredonia; Mrs. Belle Lakin, of Fort 
Scott, Kansas, and Richard Case, of F'redonia. 

Mrs. Nimrod Hankins taught a subscription school in Cofachique in 
1859, the fir.-t school taught there. Afterward she spent three years in the 
public schools of the county. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hankins have been born six children, four of whom 
survive: William C. Hankins, an attorney and abstracter of lola; Miss 
Olive Hankins; Richard N. and George D. 

Nimrod Hankins is well known as a Democrat. His ancestors es- 
poused the principles of the old time faith and when he came to responsi- 
bility and citizenship he followed in their footsteps. His political life has 
been as quiet as his social life. He filled the unexpired term of J. L. 
Arnold as Probate Judge, by appointment of Governor Lewelling, which is 
the sum total of his official service. He is slow of speech, pleasant and 
affable in manner, droll at times and full of dry humor. He measures to 
the full height of our standard of citizenship and possesses the entire con- 
fidence of his neighbors and friends. 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 427 

CHARLES F. J. B.\RTH. — In connection with the pioneer develop- 
ment of the state Charles Frederick Jacob Barth, now deceased, is 
worthy of honorable mention. His name is insepaiably interwoven with 
the early history of Allen county, and through the years of his rtsidence 
here he was a valued citizen who contributed in appreciable measure to the 
upbuilding and progress of his community. 

A native of Germany, he was born in Udenheim, in Rhine-Hessen, 
January 18, 1837. His father. Charles Frederick Barth, was principal of 
tlie high school of that city, and was a man of strong character and marked 
intellectuality. His eldest son, George Barth, is a banker in Frankfort-on- 
the-Main, in Germany. Another son, Philip, is a carpenter of New York 
City. Their mother was Phillipena Barth. Charles P". J. Barth, of this 
review, spent his early boyhood in his native land, and there served an 
apprenticeship to the cabinet-making and upholstering trades. At the age 
of fourteen he became a member of the German Reformed church and for a 
time served as its pianist, having been well trained in music. At the age 
of fifteen he >)ecured his father's permission to come to America and sailrd 
for New York city. There and in Passaic, New Jersey, he followed tlie 
pursuits with which he had become familiar in his native land, and as he 
journeyed westward he followed various occupations. In Missouri and 
Wisconsin he engaged in farming. He was in the former state at the time 
of the Civil war. He responded to the first call for volunteers and served 
for several months in the Mi.ssouri State Militia. He afterward enlisted in 
Company I, .Si.xth Kansas Cavalry, and was a comrade of Dr. Gillihan, of 
lola. During the early part of his service he was at the front on the field, 
but afterward was promoted to hospital steward. He had previously 
studied medicine and had been clerk in a drug store and those qualifica- 
ti(jns secured him his positions in the hospital. He received an honorable 
discharge at Leavenworth, Kansas, at the close of the war, and immedi- 
ately afterward went to White county, Illinois, locating there in August, 
1865. The following year he came to Allen county, and in 1868 took up 
his residence on the farm where his family now reside. 

At Duvalls Bluff, Arkaiisas, he had made the acquaintance of Miss 
Martha J. Rice, of Carnii, Illinois, who was engaged in teaching at the 
former place, and on the 13th of September, 1865, they were married. The 
lady was born in Kentucky, December 15, 1843, and is a daughter of 
Henry F. Rice, of Carmi, that state. Her father was born in Marion 
county, Kentucky, and died near Tola in r88o, at the age of sixty-two. 
His wife was, in her maidenhood, Mary Kertley Thompson, of Hopkins- 
ville, Kentucky. vShe died in Marion county, Kentucky, in 1852. Unto 
our subject and his wife have been born five children: Margaret A., de- 
ceased; George H., of lola; Willie C., who is agent of the Rock Island 
Railroad, at Broughton, Kansas; Charles F. and Anna E., who reside with 
their mother. 

After coming to Allen county, in 1868 Mr. Barth homesteaded the east 
lialf of Lhe southeast quarter of section twelve, lola township, and through- 



42S HISTORY ()1- AI.I.l-.N AM> 

out liis rcinaiuiiig days he devoted his energies to fjrining, cultivating his 
fields and improving his place until his life's labors were ended in death, 
January 29. 1900. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, in lola, 
and possessed sterling principles of character which were manifest in his 
integrity and positive convictions of right and justice in his associations 
and dealings with his fellow townsmen, among whom he lived for thirty- 
two years. He was a man of domestic tastes, faithful to every home duty, 
and he considered no personal sacrifice too great which would enha:ice the 
happiness or promote the welfare of his wife and children. His Christian- 
ity was manifest in his interest in the intellectual and spiritual development 
of his children, in his faith and trust in God through life, and in his resig- 
nation to the Divine will at death. His life stands in exemplification of 
the power of integrity and uprightness in the affairs of life and his mem- 
orv remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. 



HARRY BRAGG — To instill into the minds and hearts of the young 
respect for great attainments, reverence for great virtues, and to 
excite generous emulation, by holding up as examples for admiration 
and imitation the lives of the wise, the great and the good, is commenda- 
ble and right. But the field of example should be extended, and les.sons 
of industry, energy, usefulness, virtue, honor, the true aims of life and the 
sources of happiness, should be gathered and enforced from all the various 
provinces of human labor, however humble. Our country is eminently in 
need of increasing intelligence in agriculture, commerce and mechanism. 
Those great divisiotis of labors should be rendered not only lucrative and 
respectable as they are but honorable and attractive to the young in all 
classes of society. The lives of leading merchants, farmers, manufacturers, 
mechanics. — of all who by hon-'^t labor have achieved success in the differ- 
ent occupations, should be written and commended to the young men of 
the republic. The path of labor and nsefulne.ss should be indicated as the 
highway to honor. 

Harry Bragg, now one of the leading merchants in southern Kansas, 
has attained to his present creditable position entirely through his own 
tfforts. He was born in Shropshire, England, February 9, 1850. His 
father, William M. Bragg, was born in London, England, and was married 
to Miss Margaret M. Pace, of Shropshire, in 1844, where he was Master of 
a school under the patronage of and maintained by the Duchess of Suther- 
land (then Mistress of the robes to the Queen) on one of their estates in 
that county. In this position he remained until he came to America in 
1S52. locating at Bellevue, Iowa. Moving to Kansas in 1S69 he took u]> 
320 acres of land and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed 
until he moved to Humboldt in 1889, laying aside the arduous duties of a 
farmer's life, and at which jilace he now resides at the age of seventy-eight, 
keeping books in the oflice of his son. His wife died at the age of seventy- 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 429 

five years. They had nine children, of whom Harry was the fourth in 
order of birth. 

In taking up the personal history of Harry Bragg we pre.sent to our 
readers the record of one who is verj- widely and favorably known. He 
remained in Iowa during his youth and at the age of twelve years he began 
to learn the tinner's trade. When his parents came to Kansas he remained 
in the Hawkeye State in order to finish learning his trade, and in 1S70 he 
came to Humboldt, his father having previously located in Neosho county. 
He secured a situation as tinner in the shops of Redfield & Signor, with 
whom he remained for twenty months, after which he spent six months in 
the employ of J. R. Lowey and later was with J. P. Johnson in the hard- 
ware business under the firm name of Johnson & Bragg, which connection 
was maintained from 1S76 until i<S86, when Mr. Bragg purchased his 
partner's interest and has since continued the business alone. He now has 
the largest hardware and farm implement store in southern Kansas and is 
doing a business of fifty thousand dollars a year. He has followed 
most systematic and honorable business methods, and his straight- 
forward dealing and moderate f rices have gained to him a very liberal 
])atronage. 

Mr. Bragg was married in 1873 to Miss Ella Rouse, a native of Warren 
countv, Xew York. Her father, N. B. Rouse, removed with his family 
from the Empire State to Kan.sas and in [870 came to Humboldt, Kansas. 
Mrs. Bragg has indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate to her hus- 
band, and to her aid he largely attributes his success. He had to borrow 
two hundred and fifty dollars with which to purchase tools when he began 
business in Humboldt, but both he and his wife worked hard, she doing 
dressmaking in order to enable him to get a good start. Together they 
.saved the money, and now as a result of their industry and economy, they 
are enabled to enjoy many of the comforts and luxuries of life. They have 
one child, Lucile, an interesting intelligent and popular young lady of 
Humboldt. She was graduated in the high school of this city, afterward 
she studied in the State University at Lawrence, and subsequently matricu- 
lated in Lombard College at fialesburg, Illinois, where she graduated. She 
i^ now acting as her father's bookkeeper. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Bragg is a Republican but has had 
neither time nor inclination for public office. He has attended some of the 
county conventions, however, and, as every true American citizen should 
do, feels an interest in political affairs. Socially he is connected with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He occupies a leading position in business circles in this county 
and his record is well worthy of emulation. 



A /TARION INGELS was born in Morgan county, Indiana, September 
-L'^-'- 17, 1844. His ancestors removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, 
and thence to Indiana, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of that 



4;^0 HISTORY OF AI.IJ-:>f .VXD 

Stiite. Sainufl Mcraiula, the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier iir 
tile War of i,Si2. Thomas lugels. the lather of our subject, was a native ol 
the Hoosier State, and in 1S43 married Miss Kliziibeth Meranda. By occu- 
pation he was a farmer, following that pursuit throughout his active lite. 
He died in 1859, at the age of forty years, while his wife survived until 
1.S95, and passed away at the age of sixty-nine. They had six children, ol 
whom five are now living, namely: Marion: John, of Center, Indiana; Mrs. 
S. R. Gideon, of Washington, I). C. ; George, of Alva, Oklahoma, and 
Samuel, of Hemlock, Indiana. 

Elder Ingels was reared upon his lather's farm and through the winter 
nionths attended the district schools of the neighborhood until twenty years 
of age, when his uncle, James Ingels, sent him to Abingdon College, in 
Illinois, where he remained until his graduation. He was educated for the 
teacher's profession, but he soon began preaching in connection with his 
teaching, and continued so to do foi five \cars. since which time he has 
abandoned te.iching for preaching the gospel of the Christian church. He 
has tilled pastorates at Bryant, .Abingdon, Cuba, Lewiston and Illiopolis, 
Illinois; and at Leanna, Oswego, Chetopa, North Topeka and Coffeyville, 
Kansas. He was united in marriage to Miss Libbie Frazier, June 6, 1S69. 
Miss Frazier was burn in Ursa, Illinois, November 11, i,S4S. Her father 
Lemuel Ci. Frazier, was a native of Kentucky, but removed to Adams 
county, Illinois, when a mere child where he grew to man's estate, raised a 
large family and died. He gave his daughter excellent educational priv- 
ileges, and in 1873 she was graduated in Abingdon College, with the 
degree of bachelor of science. The hoin; of Mr. and Mrs. Ingels his been 
blessed with two sons, Thomas L. , who married Mi.ss Jennie Little, of 
Savonburg, Kansas, and is living on his f.ither's farm; and Harry P., now 
twelve years of age. 

Elder Ingels continued his ministerial work m Illinois until the fall of 
1SS2, when he came to Kansas and purchasea eighty acres of land in east 
Cottage Grove township, near Leanna, Allen county. He has made 
splendid improvements upon his farm and has a most attractive home, 
which stands in the midst ol highly cultivated fields. There is also a large 
orchard upon his place and all modern improvements, and in the periods 
of his rest from the ministerial duties he linds pleasure in the work of 
the farm. 

He returned to Illinois in 1895 for a period of two years to educate 
his son Thomas in Eureka College. During these two years he did 
evangelistic work in Michigan and Illinois. He was State Sunday school 
evangelist of Kansas for six yeais and is now engaged in evangelistic work 
under the State missionary board of the Christian church. .Mr. Ingels took 
the degree of Bachelor of .Science in 1869, and that of Bachelor of .Arts in 
1873, in Abingdon College anil he and his wife taught therein during the 
two college years beginning in the faU of 1875. He prepares the lessons 
lor the Christian Ljuleavor (Quarterly, and does other religious literary 
work. He has found in his wife a most able assistant. Slie is a most 
earnest worker in the missionary field, and is president of the Woman's 



WOOOSON COrNTIRS, KANSAS. 4;, I 

Christian Board of Missions in Kansas, an important position which she 
has filled for a number of years. Mr. Ingels is one of the leading ministers 
of the Christian church in this State, having filled positions of trust on the 
State board of the Interdenominational Sundav school work, and on tlie State 
boards of his own church. He is a man of thoughtful, earnest purpose, of 
^strong intellectual endowments, of broad charity and kindly nature, and bv 
all denominations, as well as his own people, is held in the highest regard. 

JACOB ERICSON is a stock and grain farmer, living in Klsmore tovvn- 
" ship, Allen county. He has always resided in the middle west and is 
characterized by the true western spirit of progress and advancement. He 
was born in Knoxville, Knox count)-, Illinois. His parents were Ole and 
Elna Ericson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. (See sketch of Eric 
Ericson.) 

In tlie common scliools of his native town Jacob Ericson pursued the 
studies which fitted him for the practical duties of a business life. He 
remained with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age, farming 
till he was twenty-two years of age and mining the next six years. Dur- 
ing his boyhood he learned the painter's trade and followed that pursuit 
through the summer months, while in the winter season he worked in the 
mines. His home, however, was upon a farm and he thereby became 
familiar with the labors of the field. He was married in 18S.S and after- 
ward took up his abode in Knoxville where he engaged in the painting 
business through the succeeding period of .seven years. During that time 
he had saved earnings enough to enable him to come to Kansas, where he 
had two brothers living, and purchase a farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres. He has made good improvements upon the place and is still adding 
to his farming facilities. His farm is located two miles west of Elsmore 
and is approaching one of the finest in the entire community, for he is pro- 
gressive and enterpiising and as far as possible is adding to his place all 
the modern accessories. He raise.s stock and grain and keeps on hand good 
horses to do the farm work. 

Before leaving his native State Mr. Ericson was married on the 13th. of 
December, i«88, to Miss Hannah Basser, a native of Sweden. She came 
alone to America in 1886 at the age of eighteen years, and her parents still 
reside in Sweden. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Itricson have been born five chil- 
dren: Harold E., born in 1889; Herman E. , born in 1890; Hazel W., born 
in r893; Glenn H., born in 1896, while Myrtle, the baby, was born Febru- 
ary I, igfxj. Mr. Ericson is a member of the -Modern Woodmen of Ameri- 
ca in Elsmore. Like his brothers, who are residing in this county, he can 
claim the distinction of being what the public calls "a self-made man." 
He has never had a dollar given him, and from early boyhood has earned 
his own living. Labor has been the key which has unlocked to him the 
portals of success and from its storehouse he has gained rich treasures. He 
is numbered among the valued and respected citizens of his community and 
well deserves mention in this volume. 



432 HIST(JKY OF ALI.KN' AND 

JE. JONES, of lola, was born in Wasliington county, Pennsylvania 
• August 6, 1833, and is a representative of an old New Jersey family 
of Welsh lineage. His paternal grandfather, Peter Jones, removed from 
New Jersey to Washington county and there on the 23rd of March, 1826. 
John A.Jones, the father of our subject, was born. In his early life the latter 
resided upon a farm with his maternal grandfather, his mother having died 
when he was only a few days old. He was reared to agricultural pursuits 
and throughout his life engaged in the tilling of the soil, owning a portion 
of the farm on which he was born. In the fall of 1867 he left Pennsylvania 
and removed to Kno.x county, Ohio, where his father had resided for a 
number of years. After two years, however, John A. Jones went to La 
Salle county, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days. In 1847 he was 
united in marriage to Miss Nancy Hampson, who was horn in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, March 2, iS2b, a daughter of Daniel Hampson, a 
native of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Jones became the parents of four 
children, three of whom are yet living, namely: W. P.. a resident of 
Anthony, Kansas; D. E. , who is living in Grand Ridge, Illinois; and J. E. 
the subject of this review. The father died in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 
1880, and the mother's death occurred in Grand Ridge, that State, in June. 
1897. 

J. E. Jones the immediate subject of this sketch, spent the first four- 
teen years of his lite upon the old homestead in Washington county, Penn- 
sylvania, and during that period pursued his education in the public 
schools. In 1867 he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and in 1869 to 
Illinois. On reaching his majority he left the home farm and entered the 
office of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Ottawa, Illinois, where 
he remained for one year On account of ill health he was forced to leave 
that position and spent the succeeding year and a half upon the farm, after 
which he engaged in teaching school in LaSalle county, Illinois for five 
years. In 1884 he came to Kansas, locating at Anthony, Harpei county, 
where he followed carpentering. lu 1886 he purchased a shop and was 
identified with the building interests of that place until February, 1897, 
when he came to lola. Here he engaged in contract work until the fall of 
1899. during which time he and his partner, A. J. Servey, had the contract 
on the New York Store building and the Odd Fellows block. He also 
prepared the plans for the Masonic Temple at lola. He now owns 
and conducts a mill at the corner of Broadway and South street which is 
equipped with machinery of all kinds and where he executes all sorts of 
wood work. 

On the 1 6th of September, 1884. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Jones and Miss Sarah Beymer of Cold water, Comanche county, Kansas. 
They were the first couple to whom a license was issued in that county, 
and for this reason they were presented with a lot in the town site of Cold- 
water. Mrs.. Jones was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and is a daughter 
of Noah Beymer, a native of Germany. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jones resided in .Anthony until their 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 433 

removal to lola. Thev have formed many acquaintances since coming to 
this city and now have the warm regard of a large circle of friends. 

Mr. Jones joined the Odd Fellows at Grand Ridge, Illinois, November 
5, 1875, and Ottawa Encampment in Marcb., 1S82. He is a member of the 
Grand lodge and Grand Encampment and is a Chapter Mason. 



I 



T^DWARD CAIX. — Among the pioneers of Allen county who have 
* ' performed an active and honorable part in the upbuilding of the 
municipality is Edward Cain. He settled on Deer Cieek, in what is now 
Carlyle township, April 10, 1858, and homesteaded the northeast quarter 
of section lo, township 24, range 18, which tract he alter A'ard covered with 
a land warrant. Among the settlers along the creek then were Isaiah 
Brown, Alfred Decker and Lew Edmundson, well rememb'.;red by their few 
remaining contemporaries, and all of whom have pa.ssed to the great 
beyond . 

Ed. Cain brought an amount of funds into the county with him suf- 
ficient to provide himself with two yoke of cattle and to sustain himself 
through tlie first season. With the oxen he broke prairie — aided by Thos. 
A. McClelland — at two dollars and fifty cents per acre. In August 1861, 
he left the plow and enlisted in the Union army to aid in repressing the 
Southern Confederacj". He joined Company F, Eighth Kansas, under 
Colonel John A. Martin and served on the frontier till March 1863, when 
the regiment was ordered east and placed in General Wood's corps. Mr. 
Cain participated in the battle of Chickarhauga and Missionary Ridge, 
where he was wounded and put off of the firing line for three months but 
never left his regiment. He was on the Atlanta campaign and fought in 
the engagement at Lovejoy Station on the last day of his enlistment. He 
was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, December 1864, and at once re- 
turned to his Kansas claim. 

Mr. Cain took up in earnest the improvement and cultivation of his 
farm. Whereas he had it partially fenced when he entered the army, when 
he returned to it the settlers had borrowed his fence and had carried off all 
his temporarj' improvements. He gathered in a few cattle as he became 
able and was soon in the stock business. His farm and his stock have 
enabled him, from time to time, to increase his acreage until he owns a half 
section of land, the result of years of industry and persevering effort. For 
many years. Mr. Cain has been one of the prominent shippers of stock from 
the lola yards and the money he has thus distributed among the farmers 
amounts to a fabulous sum. 

Edward Cain was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, October 3, 1834. 
His father, Watson Cain, went into Ohio from Kentucky, where he was 
born, at an early date. He was accompanied by his father, Orrin Cain, 
who was a pioneer farmer in the Buckeye state. Watson Cain grew up in 
Coshocton county, Ohio, married there Sarah Miller, and in 1856 went to 



434 HISTOKV OF ALI-KN ANIJ 

Clinton comity, Indiana. He cleared up a farm and both he and his wife 
died there. Their children were: Edward; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. GoUi- 
ver. of Independence, Iowa; Malonj-. wife of Lewi.s Ciss, of Clinton 
county, Indiana; Henry and George, of the same county; Charles Cain, of 
Ivhvood, Indiauii, and Maggie, deceased, wife ol Andrew Mclntyre. 

Ed. Cain wis first married in Allen county, Kansas, August lo, 1866, 
to Martha Wright who died in 1S75, in March, at the age of twenty-eight 
years. She left three chihlren, namely: Minnie, wife of John Gregg, of 
Allen county; Charles Cain, and Sadie, wife of B;rt Wiggins, of Allen 
county. In 1877 Mr. Cain married in Troy, Ohio, Sarah hidings whose 
birth occurred in Bethel, Ohio. She is a daughter of Rev. Moses Warden. 

Mr. Cain's education was acquired in the country schools, attending 
three months in the year. Forgetting in nine months much of what he 
learned in three, the next year he would repeat and in this way he man- 
aged to get the rudiments of an education bv the time he reached man's 
estate. Experience has been hi-- best teacher but with the two his compe- 
tition with the world of barter and trade has yielded amply for himself and 
family. 

In politics the early Cains were Democrats. The events of the Civil 
war period made a Republican oi our subject and, even before that struggle 
began, he voted for John C. Fremont, In politics as in everything else 
lid. Cain is always reliable and always honorable. 



FRANK P. TANNER, a w_ell-known representative of the educational 
interests of southeastern Kansas, now residing in loli, was born in 
McLean county, Illinois, January 8, 1872, and is a son of Samuel F. Tan- 
ner, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 
1828. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, his birth oc- 
curring in that country near the close of the eighteenth century. He died 
when Ills son Sa:nuel was only about five or six years of age, and in con- 
sequence the latter was early thrown upjn his own resources. His educa- 
tional privileges were such as were afforded at that time in the old log 
school houses in frontier settlements. During his youth and early man- 
hood he learned and followed the cabinet maker's trade, and later he 
worked at the carpenter's tratle and at farming. 

Abjut the time he attained his majority Samuel Tainier removed from 
Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling near Marietta. There he met and married 
a Miss Flanders, a native of that state, and they became the parents of the 
following children; Laura V., wife of L. Chambers; Charity A., wife of 
B. C. Allenworth; William R. ; lola J., wife of J. S. Sheetz, a resident of 
Tazewell county, Illinois, as are the other members of the family men- 
tioned al)0\e; Ida M., wife of L. Shreve, of Lucas county, Iowa; Mary, 
wife of R. P. Decker, of the same county; and S. Tellford, who is living in 
Lucas countv. The mother of this familv died in 1S67, and Samuel F. 



WOODSON couxtie:;, kansas. 435 

Tanner afterward wedded Elizabeth B. Preshaw, the marriage b^ing cele- 
brated June II, 1868. The lady was born in Ohio, .September 9, 1832, a 
daughter of Alexander Preshaw, who was born in Ireland, March ry, 1793, 
but was of English descent. He married Eliza Ann McCracken, who was 
horn in Ireland, June 25, 1796, her people haviug emigrated from Scotland 
10 the Emerald Isle. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Preshaw occurred in 
Ireland, April 26, r8i6, and about 1819 they crossed the Atlantic to 
the new world. Unto Samuel F. and Elizabeth B. (Preshaw) Tan- 
ner were born four sons, but the subject of this review is the only one 
now living. In 1869 the parents removed to McLean county, Illinois, and 
in 1874 went to Tazewell county, that state, whence in 1885 they came to 
.\llen county, Kansas. Here on the 21st of August, 1892, the mother 
died, and in the following year Mr. Tanner removed to Lucas county, 
Iowa, where he departed this life on the 4th of October, 1894. 

Frank P. Tanner was only two years old when taken by his parents to 
Tazewell county, and was a youth of thirteen when he came with them to 
Allen county. He remained home until January, 1891, when he was 
called to complete a term of school in District No. 65. having in the pre- 
vious summer been granted a teacher's certificate. Since that time he has 
been identified with the educational interests of -A.llen and Woodson 
counties, and is recognized as a very capable instructor, having marked 
ability in imparting to others a knowledge of the subjects which constitute 
the curriculum of the schools with which he has been connected. 

In 1S92 Mr. Tanner was united in marriage to Miss Mattie L. See, 
who was born in Allen county, Kansiis, March 18, 1874, aiKl is a daughter 
of R. W See, a native of Virginia, born on the 6th of March, 1842. Three 
children have been born of their union, but they lost their only daughter, 
Lena M. .-^lla K. and Ralph O. are still with their parents. In February 
1898, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner removed from their farm five miles west of lola 
to the county seat, where they now reside, having a pleasant home at No. 
802 North Jefferson avenue. They occupy an enviable posifion in social 
circles where intelligence and true worth are received as the passports into 
good societv. 



"T^ANIEL HOUSTON SCOTT, of lola, whose residence here has 
-' — ' been extended over a period of nearly a quarter of a century, was born 
in Blunt county, Tennessee, November 21, 1842. His father, Daniel Scott, 
was born in the same county and state in 1805 and died in .Sullivan county, 
Missouri, in 1862. Our subject's paternal grandfather was William Scott. 
He was born in old Virginia in 1778 and died in Blunt county, Tennessee, 
in 1855. He married Phebe Marr and was the father of si.K children: 
Daniel, James, Sarah, wife of John McBrin; Mary, wife of William 
-McBrin; Jane and Charles. 

Daniel Srott married Jane, a daughter of Richard McBrin. She died 



^.-^6 HISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

in 1870 at the as^e of sixt\-t;ight years. Her children were: Charles T., 
deceased; William H., of Livingston county, Missouri; Xancy J., who re- 
sides in Sullivan county, Missouri; John Tipton Scott, deceased; James 
M., deceased, and Richard and Elizabeth C, deceased; the latter was 
married to Andrew Johnson and left a family in Sullivan county, Missouri: 
Isaac A., of Fulton, Kansas; Phcbe A., deceased, who married John 
Ruble; Daniel H ; Sarah L., wife of Byram Chapman, of Bourbon county, 
Kansas. 

At the age of twelve years Houston Scott went with his parents to 
Sullivan county, Missouri, andvvas there limitedly ,schooled in the rural 
schools. He was a resident of that county till the year after the Civil war. 
He was married in 1865 to Hannah M., a daughter of John G. Anderson, 
who moved from Kentucky to Ripley county, Ohio, resided there some 
years and continued his journey westward to Livingston county, Illinois, 
and still anotlier move to Linn county, Missouri. In 1868 he took up his 
final location in Kansas, settling at lola in 1S67. He moved to Neosho 
county, Kansas, where he died in 1868. 

Mr. Scott settled temporarily in Bourbon county upon his advent to 
Kansas. He entered Allen county in 1874 and three years later he came 
into lola. He was essentially a farmer up to the date of his location in 
this city, since which time he has been engaged as a mechanic. He has 
done much of the mason work in old lola and only within the recent past 
has his physical condition forced his retirement from active work. 

Mr. Scott is one of the well known Grand Army men of Allen county. 
November 2nd, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third Missouri 
Infantry, which regiment was a part of Sheiman's army. At the battle of 
Shiloh Mr. Scott was taken prisoner. He was in the Rebel prisons at 
Montgomery, Alabama, and at Macon, Georgia, seven and a hali months 
and was exchanged. He reached his regiment again December 25th and 
served with it till December 30th, 1864, when he was mustered out at 
Savannah, Georgia. He was in the battles of Lovejoy Station, Peachtree 
Creek, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Snakehead Gap. 

Mr. and Mrs. Scott's family consists of the following children: James 
Winfield, of Coffey ville, Kansas; May L., of Blackfoot, Idaho; Anna M., 
of Whittiei, California; Lottie AlicCj of Blackfoot, Idaho; William H., one, 
of the leading barbers of . loLa; Bertha and Ruby Scott. The first three 
daughters are well known and efTicicnt teachers in their respective homes 
and May L. Scott was named by the Republicans of her county for the 
office of County Superintendent in 1898, and again in 1890 and was elected 
to the office. 

The political history of the Scotts reveals the fact that they have been 
Whigs and then Republican, as those parlies existed. Hou.ston Scott be- 
came a Republican when his attention was first turned toward politics. 
His fealty to the principles of that party has been constant and such 
steadfastness is a matter of personal pride to himself and of satisfaction to 
his party. 



WOODSON COrXTIES, KANSAS. 437 

FC. MOOXEV was born in Fayetteville, West Virginia, July 5, 1837. 
• and is the eldest of eight children born unto J. S. and Margaret 
(Bailey) Mooney. His father died in 1854, at the age of forty-five years, 
and the mother passed away in 1885 at the age of sixtj'six years. Their 
surviving children are: Mrs. L. V. Garrison, of Ladonia, Missouri; Mrs. 
Susan Nail, of Kansas City, Missouri; and the subject of this review. In 
his early youth F. C. Mooney learned the tanner's trade and followed this 
pursuit until nineteen years ol age, when he went to Bowling Green, Mis- 
souri, where he learned the plasterer's and mason's trades. He was en- 
gaged in business along those lines until i860 when he went to Mexico, 
Missouri, but soon returned to Bowling Green where he resided until after 
the inauguration of the Civil war. He then enlisted in Companx D, Tenth 
Missouri Infantry, and was made drum-major of the regiment. In 1863 he 
received an honorable discharge on account of disability. He paiticipated 
in the first battle of Corinth, in the engagements at luka, Shiloh, in the 
second battle of Corinth and in the siege of Vicksburg, and was discharged 
at St. Louis, Missouri, November 18, 1863. 

Mr. Mooney returned to Bowling Green where he continued to reside 
until 1880, — the year of'his arrival in Kansas. He settled in Elsmore, 
Allen county, upon a farm of eighty acres which he purchased and im- 
proved, continuing its cultivation until 1892 when he sold that property 
and took up his abode in Elsmt/re. There he purchased a home and has 
since worked at his trades of plasterer and stone mason. He is an excel- 
lent workman and is therefore always able to command a good position. 

In 1864 occurred the marriage of Mr. Mooney and Miss Catherine 
Beisley, a native of Pike count}-, Missouri, and unto them have been born 
ten children. In order of birth they are as follows: William; Edgar; 
Charles; Catherine, the wife of William Sullivan; Lee; Anna, the wife of 
Walter Samuels; Mary A., died 1877; Lilly V., died 1882; Robert and 
Herbert, who are still with their patents. The family is well known in 
Elsmore and its representatives enjoy the high regard of many friends. In 
his political views Mr. Mooney is a Populist and is now serving as a notary 
public. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades 
through his membership in Elsmore Post, No. 13, G. A. R., and in its 
gatherings there are recalled many incidents that occurred upon the tented 
field or or. the firing line. As a citizen Mr. Mooney is public spirited and 
progressive, manifesting the same loyalty to his duties as when he followed 
the nation's banner to the south. 



I / ' C. PRICE — No man in Allen county is more entitled to credit for 
-*— ^' success in life than Mr. Price who today owns and operates one of 
the fine farms in Elsmore township. He was born in Lawrence county, 
Arkansas, on the 17th of May, 1855, a son of L. C. and Elizabeth (Huston) 
Price. The father was a native of North Carolina^ and when a young man 



4.VS HISTdKY OK AI.LKX AVD 

emigrated to Arkansas. Three children were born to him and his wife, 
and in 1861 he started with his family for Illinois, leaving the south on 
account of the danger that threatened the Union men who lived in that 
portion of the country. They took passage on a boat going up the Missis- 
sippi, and while on the voyage the wife and mother, together with two of 
the children, was taken ill. All three died and the baat anchored by 
the shore in order that the bodies njight be interred on the bank of 
the river. 

.\fter reaching fllinois Mr. Price placed his surviving child, the subject 
of this review, witli a family and enlisted in the Union army, with which 
he served throughout the remainder of the war. He leturned to Illinois 
and was again married and moved to Arkansas. In 1S73 'i^ came to Kan- 
sas, locating in Bourbon county on the 22nd of December, of that year. 
Subsequently, however, he removed to Linn county. From there he re- 
turned to Illinois, leaving the son in Linn county, Kansas. 

During his minority E. C. Price continued work by the month as a 
farm hand, his father collecting his wages until he was twenty-one years of 
age, when for the first time he was allowed to enjoy the benefit of his own 
labors. He determined to own a team of horses, and at the end of one 
year, as the result of day labor, he liad capital sufficient to make the purchase. 
During the second year he rented land and engaged in farming on his own 
account. At the age of twenty-four he was married and rented for two 
years, then purchased eighty acres of land, making arrangements to pay for 
the same in six years, but when only two years had passed his farm was 
freed from all indebtedness. About three years afterAard he sold the place 
and came to .\llen county, purchasing a claim on the league land, for which 
he gave eleven hundred dollars, — all of the money that he had received 
from his eighty acre farm. Not long afterward the courts made a decision 
whereby he lost all of his property. He then rented until three years ago, 
then removed to the southeastern portion of the county and purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land on which few improvements had been 
made. He saved enough to make a payment on the land and arranged 
to make payments at stated intervals and now has the farm almost free 
from indebtedness. In the meantime he has made many improvements, 
erecting a good residence and a large barn. .\ nice grove surrounds his 
home, which occupies one of the finest locations in the count)-, standing on 
the northeastern corner of his farm about three miles from Savonburg. The 
place is one which any person might be proud to pos.sess, for the fields are 
well tilled, the fences and buildings are kept in good repair and everything 
about the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, showing that the owner is 
a man of progressive spirit. 

In 18S0 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Smith, a 
native of Johnson county, born on the 2nd of August, 1862, her parents 
being Thomas and Lucy (McKnight) Smith. Her father was a native of 
Ireland and when five years of age was brought to America. His wife was 
born in Osage count)', Missouri, and died at the age of twenty-three years, 
while he was murdered in Colorado by traveling companions, who took 



AVOODSOX COUNTIES, KAKSAS. 439 

ihat method of obainiug his inone_v. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Price have been 
born four children, namely: Thomas Elmer, who isnowmairied and resides 
near his father; Zachariah W., Ardella and Dora Etta. With the excep- 
tion of the elder son all are at home 

In his youth Mr. Price had very few advantages. At an extremely 
early age he started out to earn his own living. His educational privileges 
were very meager, yet by reading, experience and observation he has ac- 
■quired a good practical knowledge and keeps well informed on the ques- 
tions of the day. He was not even allowed to profit by the wages of his 
labors until he had attained his majority. Notwithstanding all the difficul- 
ties and hardships in his path he has worked his way steadily upward, his 
trials seeming to serve as an impetus to renewed effort. His advancement 
has been sure and steadfast, for he possesses that determined nature that 
will brook no obstacles that cm be overthrown by honest labor. Today, 
numbered among the well-to-do citizens of his adopted county he is certain- 
ly deserving of honorable mention among the respected and representative 
residents of this portion of the State. 



A /TRS. AGXES L. F'UXK — Eor twenty-two years Mrs. Funk has been 
-'-"-'- a resident of Allen county, and is recognized as one of the leading 
ladies of Elm township. While the names of women figure less conspicu- 
ously on the pages of history on account of the more qtiiet part they take 
in the affairs of the world they are no less worthy of mention and exert no 
less an influence than do the hur^bands, fathers and brothers. Since her 
husband's death Mrs. Funk has manifested excellent business ability in the 
care of her farm, at the same time displaying those womanly qualities 
which ever command respect and admiration. She was born in Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1852, and in her maidenhood was 
Agnes L. Lightcap. The family is of Holland lineage. Her great-grand- 
father was bom in the land of dykes and crossed the Atlantic to the new 
world, locating in Pennsylvania in the early part of the eighteenth century. 
Solomon Lightcap, her grandfather, was born in Cumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, and Foster Lightcap, her father, was born in Westmoreland 
county, in 1832. He married Margaret Baldridge, and they became the 
parents of six children who are still living, namely: Mrs, Funk, Mrs. Mary 
Lasley, of Cass county, Missouri; Mrs. Lydia Kintigh, also of Cass county; 
Alex, who is living in the same county; Samuel, who is a professor of 
schools in St. Clair county, Missouri; and Charles, who makes his home in 
Cass county. The parents are likewise residents of the same county and 
are people of the highest respectability. 

Under the parental roof Agnes L. Lightcap spent the days of her 
maidenhood, and in 1873 she gave her hand in marriage to A. Z. Funk, 
who was also a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born in 
1851. After their marriage they took up their abode on what is now the 



440 HISTORY OF AI.LEX AND 

Eagle (arm and three years afterward moved to Elm township where Mrs. 
Euiik is still living. Six children were horn unto them: Lillian Steinmetz 
Eoster, John, Charles, Mrs. Clara Avers, of Elm township, and Margaret. 
The family lived pleasantly upon their farm in Elm township and a fair 
degree of prosperity attended their efforts, but in iSgi the husband and 
lather was called away, the community thereby losing one of its valued 
citizens. Since that time Mrs. Eunk has managed the farm with the aid of 
her sons, who have entire charge of the cultivation of the fields and the 
harvesting and marketing of crops. Under the able management of the 
mother business affairs have been so conducted that the farm has aniiuall)^ 
incieased in value and is now one of the most desirable and attractive 
places in the neighborhood. Considerable stock is raised, and everything 
about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance. The sons give their 
political support to the Republican party, which Mrs. Funk als<j endorses. 
For eighteen years she has been a member of the Evangelical Association 
and her many estimable qualities commend her to the good will and high 
regard of all. The family is one well known in the cotiimuiiity and the mem- 
bers of the household have a large circle of friends. 



\/\T K- Cox — From the 'earliest establishment of the town of Els- 
" " • more, Mr. Cox has been a representative of its business inter- 
ests and through the conduct of its enterprises has contributed in a large 
measure to its substantial upbuilding, improvement and development. A 
native of Kentucky, he was born in Madison county, on the 3i.st of May, 
1849, his parents being Robert and Jane (Adams) Cox, who were relatives 
of that State in which they spent their entire lives. The subject of this 
review was reared on the farm until he was twelve years of age, and in the 
winter time he attended the common schools of the neighborhood. He 
then Ijeeame a student in the Richmond Academy, and after completing 
the course in that institution he was engaged in teaching in Kentucky, 
following that pursuit until 1870, when he left his native State and 
became a resident of Bloomington, Illinois. Throughout the succeeding 
eight years he was a representative of the educational interests of McLean, 
Brown and Champaign counties and gained a very enviable reputation as 
the result of his ability to impart clearly and concisely to others the 
knowledge he had acquired. 

On the 19th of March, 1878, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Gerty 
Smith, of Brimfield, Illinois, a native of that State. They were young and 
energetic and wished to gain a good home. Believing there was a better 
opportunity in the less thickly .settled portions of the west, they started for 
Kansas on the 9th of April, 1878, arriving safely in Humboldt. Allen 
county. Mr. Cox soon purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres 
about five miles south of Humboldt, in Cottage Grove township, and there 
carried on agricultural pursuits, spending his time in the cultivation and 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 44I 

operation of the fields throughout the summer mouths, while in the winter 
season he engaged in teaching. He resided upon his farm until 1886 when 
he sold that property and removed to Elsmore township, establishing a 
store on the old Humboldt and Fort Scott road. He also began buying 
grain and remained at that point for one year. The Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas railroad was then built from Kansas City to Parsons and a town was 
laid out about two miles south of where Mr. Cox was living. This led to 
his removal to Elsmore. He moved his houses to that place and was the 
first man to embark in business there, opening a general merchandise store 
which he continued to conduct for five years when he sold his stock of 
goods and began dealing in hardware and machinery of all kinds. He 
also bought and sold grain, making extensive shipments of the farm 
products of the locality. Subsequently he admitted his son to a partner- 
ship in the business and they added a stock of furniture and undertaking 
goods. Their store is complete tor they carry all grades of goods such as 
are in demand by the town and country trade. The experience and 
mature judgment of the father, supplemented by the youthful energy of the 
son makes the firm a strong one. They deal quite extensively in flax, corn 
and all kinds of seeds and grains, and their business amounts annually to 
upwards of thirty thousand dollars. 

Unto Mr and Mrs. Cox have been born three children, a son and two 
daughters: Ona, the eldest, is the wife of E. H. Leitzbach, of Humboldt; 
R. E. , who is a graduate of a business college in Kansas City, and a graau- 
ate of an undertaking school of that place, is now associated with his father 
in business, acting as bookkeeper and contributing in a large measure to 
the success of the firm. Louise, the younger daughter, is yet a student in 
school. Mr. Cox holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- 
ca and the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, both of Elsmore. His 
political support is given to the Democracy. Through the period of his 
business career Mr. Cox has ever directed his efforts along legitimate lines 
and has had a strict regard for the commercial code. He is a man of un- 
flagging industry, strong resolution and keen discrimination, — essential 
qualiiies to prosperity. In all his dealings he is straightforward and hon- 
orable and thus he has commanded the confidence of his fellow men, 
winning not only success, but also that good name which is above riches. 



I 



"^ A riELIAM KENNEDY, who is residing in Elsmore township, Allen 
^ ^ county, was born in McDonough county, Illinois, October 31, 
1842, and is a representative of an old southern family. His father, John 
Kennedy, was a native of North Carolina, and in 1832 took up his abode 
in the Prairie State. He married Susan Conner and they had six children, 
of whom three are now living, namely: S. M., a resident of Illinois; 
William, our subject, and Mrs. M iry A. Toland, who resides in Wilson 
county, Kansas. The father, who was born in 1805, died in 1871; and the 
mother, whose birth occurred in 1808, passed away in 1855. 

William Kennedy, the youngest surviving child, was reared to farm 



442 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

life ill his native State, there remaining until 1870, when he came to Kan- 
sas and purchased a farm in Xeosho county, upon which he made his home 
for eight years. He then sold the pVoperty and came to Allen county, 
securing a claim on the disputed land where he has since lived, hoping 
from year to year that the United vStates courts would decide the question 
of the property rights. He has here a valuable tract of one hundred and 
sixty ac;es and certainly deserves the title to the same. He also owns an- 
other tract of eighty acres in Allen county. In connection with the cultiva- 
tion of the fields he is successfully engaged in raising stock, feeding from 
one to two carloads of both cattle and hogs annually. 

Mr. Kennedy was formerly a Democrat but now gives his political 
support to the Populist party. Socially he is connected with the Ancient 
order of United Workmen, belonging to the lodge in Elsmore. He was 
married in November, 1862, to Miss Louisa H. Wheeler, a native of 
Brown county, Illinois, and the eldest daughter of Charles T. and Elizabeth 
Wheeler. Her father died in 1894 at the age of seventy years, while his 
wife passed away in 1857, at the age of foity-two. They had twelve chil- 
dren, of whom five are now living, namely: Eliza, John, Charles and Louisa. 
Lee, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy died June 18, 1895, at the 
age of twenty-seven years. Our subject and his wife have the warm regard 
of many friends in Allen county and enjoy the hospitality of many of the 
best homes of the communitv. 



EPHRAIM Gay is a prosperous farmer residing on the Allen county line, 
four miles east of the town of Elsmore. He was born in Guei nsey 
county. Ohio, on the 20th of April, 1838, and his father, Ephraim Gay, was 
also a native of that State. The mother, who bore the maiden name of 
Elizabeth Waterhouse, was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. 
Ephraim Gay Sr. died in 1838, at the age of forty-.seven years, and his 
wife, surviving him until 1878, passed away at the ripe old age of eighty- 
three. 

The subject of this review was the youngest of their eight children. 
He left home at the age of sixteen years in order to make his own way in 
the world, going to Iowa, where he secured employment on a farm by the 
month. He remained in the employ of one man for two years, receiving 
thirteen dollars per month, and then engaged in the operation of rented 
land for a year. In the spring of i860 he ananged to drive an ox team to 
Salt Lake City, and after arriving at his destination he and another young 
man purcha.sed an ox team of his employer, secured a stock of provisions 
and started for California, arriving in September of the same year, after 
about five months spent upon the road. Mr. Gay followed farming on the 
Pacific coast for two years, and then engaged in teaming for one year, after 
which he went to Nevada, where he located a gold mine. He was offered 
seven thousand dollars for the property, but thinking to become a million- 




(^ h^-—^ — -^ 



WOUDSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 443 

aire he refused to sell, but about that time the miners began to leave that 
portion of the country and he never realized anything from his property. 

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Gay paid a visit to his mother in Ohio, remain- 
iuij there for three months, after which he returned to Iowa and spent the 
summer. In the autumn of 1866 he came to Kansas, locating in Bourbon 
county, where he secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, — the first 
land which he ever owned. He made excellent improvements on the same, 
secured the title to the property, and resided thereon for fifteen years, after 
which he sold out and came to .lllen county in 1884, purchasing a farm in 
Elsmoie township. To this he has added until he now owns four hundred 
and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Allen and Bourbon counties. 
He handles and feeds cattle and hogs, feeding all that he raises to his own 
stock. He is known as a wide-awake and enterprising farmer who 
.gained very desirable success through his energy and perseverance. 

In 1868, two years after arriving in Kansas, Mr. Gay wedded Mary 
Mason, with whom he lived happily for eight years, when on the 27th of 
November, 1876, she was called to her final rest, leaving her husband and 
three children, of whom two are living: Albert and Lilas, the latter the wife 
of Wesley Humphreys. For his second wife Mr. Gay chose Miss Martha 
Mason, a cousin of his first wife. They wt re married July 27, 1879, and 
now have eight children: Myrtle, wife of Morris Davis; Gertrude; Louisa; 
Delia; Charles; Willard; Wesley and Jennie. The family is one of prom- 
inence in the community, and the members of the household occupy a 
leading position in social circles, while in business circles Mr. Gay enjoys 
an unassailable reputation. In politics he is a Democrat. 



\ A^ILLIAM T. McELROY— Indellibly inscribed upon the roll ot 
" " honor of the pioneers of journalism in Kansas, of the men who 
have given their best days to the citizen service of their State and of those 
who have been a prominent factor in both the internal and external affairs 
of Humboldt since the Rebellion is W. T. McElroy. An era of thirty-five 
years has passed into history since the March day that he landed stage-tired 
and weary, in the then metropolis of southeast Kansas and marked himself 
as a permanent settler. He was young in years and poor of purse but with 
a wealth of experience born of five years service in print shop and army. 
His ambition was, no doubt, to get an even start with the boys of the news- 
paper fraternity, in the new field and to found a periodical which should 
become a factor in promoting the welfare of the commonwealth. His earl3' 
connection with the publication of the Humboldt Union as printer and pub- 
lisher, and, after nine months, as one of the proprietors, marked the begin- 
ning of the realization of this dream. 

The Humboldt Union is one of the oldest papers in Kansas.' It was • 
established in i S66 by Colonel Orlin Thurston, who vt'as superseded the 
following year by H. .\. Needham and W. T. McElroy, as copartners. In 



444 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

iS6S Mr. Mclvlroy became the sole owner of the paper and has remained in 
connection witli it since. The policy of the paper from the ist of January, 
1S67, was Republican and its status toward the public has been that of a 
highly moral, clean and well written weekly. 

Although Mr. McElroy came to Allen county from Ohio he was born 
in Washington, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1845. His father, William 
McKlroy, was a shoemaker and was born in western Pennsylvania where 
his North-of- Ireland ancestors settled when Pittsburg was a village and 
when the Ohio basin was the frontier. Sarah A. White became the wife of 
the senior McIClroy. Her people were Ivnglish, coming to the United 
States from the city of Liverpool during the latter part of the eighteenth 
century. 

The school privileges of W. T. McKlroy were most limited and his 
knowledge of the common branches, when he had reached his fifteenth 
year, was very poor. In 1S56 he went into Mahoning county, Ohio, where 
the first four years were spent upon the farm with relatives. At the age of 
fifteen he was attracted toward a print shop, being induced to that deter- 
mination by an uncle. William Ritezel, who was the publisher of the 
Trumbull County Democrat at W'arren, Ohio. Our subject first entered 
the office of the Democrat at W'arren and remained with it till the con- 
solidation of the Chronicle and Demccrat when he was transferred, so to 
S])eak, as a part of the fixtures of the office. 

While serving his trade he made three unsuccessful attempts to get 
into the army and, in 1864, did finally succeed in being accepted and was 
enrolled in Company D, 196th Volunteer Infantry. He was under General 
Hancock in the Shenandoah Valley and saw service in the field till some 
time in July following the close of the war. Upon being discharged in 
September, 1S65, he returned to his old position in Warren, wh^re he re- 
mained till the early spring of 1 866 when, against the protest of his people, 
he cast his lot w'ith Kansas. 

July 2, 1868, our subject was married in Humboldt to Melissa M. Mc- 
Veigh, a daughter of Daniel McVeigh who came to Humboldt in 1866 from 
Iowa. Two daughters were the issue of this union, viz.: Anna M., wife of 
John B. House, of Wichita, Kansas, and .Adele C, who is with her parents 
in Humboldt. 

Mr. McElroy had not reached his majority when he came to Allen 
county and has, consequently, done all his voting in his favorite town. He 
imbibed Republican principles and sentiment in his youth back in the 
Western Reserve, and he has been steadfast in the faith. His voice and 
pen have added strength to the cause in Allen county and his honest and 
earnest counsels have effected much individual reform amongst the indiffer- 
ent and backsliders in the party. He has cast a vote at every general 
election since 1867 and has been Mayor of his town. He served as post- 
master under the administration of President Hayes and was appointed to 
the same position by President McKinley in 1898. He has been a Master 
Mason since 1870 and is by inclination and training a Methodist. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KA"NSAS. 445 

T TOMER p. FOWLER — In prssenting herein the biief record of him 
-•- -^ whose name introduces this review it is not unfair to state that he 'is 
■one of the j-oiinger and newer settlers of Allen county. He cannot boast of 
a pioneer history or relate what he did during the war, for he was only 
born just a year prior to the passage of the first acts of secession. When it 
is stated that he came to Allen county in 1879 it will be seen that he was 
only a boy when he took the initial steps which connect-ed him, as a citizen, 
with the history of the count^^ In the twenty-one years which have 
elapsed since that eventful day in his life Homer P. Fowler has comported 
himself as an honorable, ambitious and industrious citizen. He has aimed 
to live right, he has striven to achieve success; and few can gainsay the 
accomplishment or achievement of his ambition. 

Mr. Fowler was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 2, i860. 
He is a son of a soldier of the war of the Rebellion, Flank P'owler, who 
married Elizabeth Birney, a lady with Irish antecedents, of the vicinitj' of 
Dublin. There were four children born of this union of which number 
Homer P. was the oldest. The latter was educated liberally and prepared 
himself for a career as a teacher when he left his native State, enroute to 
Manitou, Colorado. He stopped over in Allen county, Kansas, and during 
his stay was so impressed with the outlook that he decided to remain. The 
first two years he lived a bachelor's life but in 1881 he returned to Ohio 
and married Rebecca J. Copeland who died in 1889, leaving two children, 
viz. : Nora E. and Frank W. Fowler. She lived an exemplary Christian 
life and was laid to rest in Moran cemetery. In 1890 Mr. Fowler married 
Mrs. Katie Berkihiser, of Moran, who has borne him two sons, Walter 
Marion and William Lindella. 

Farming embraces the life work of our subject. He has encountered 
some of the struggles and difficulties which di.scourage .some men in their 
effort to establish a home in a new country but he has not faltered nor 
fallen by the wayside. His success has come by industry, frugality and 
honesty, qualities which stand sponser for a good character, always. 

In politics Mr. Fowler has played some part in the affairs of his adopt- 
ed county. In the first place he is recognized as a genuine Republican. 
He has been honored with various offices in his township, served nine 
years as clerk of his school district and in 1897 was nominated for Register 
of Deeds of his county. He was elected by a large majority, carrying his 
own Populist township by a tnajority of thirteen votes. He was re-elected 
for a second term in 1899 and has made a careful, painstaking and efficient 
officer. In fraternal matters he holds membership in the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights 
of the Maccabees. His name has been on the rolls of the Methodist church 
since his thirteenth year and he is now Recording Steward of the Methodist 
congregation in lola. 



446 msTORY OF ALLEN ANTJ' 

J A. RUNDQUIST, who is a representative of the coinniercial interests 
• in Elsmore, was born in Sweden on the first day of November, 1858,. 
and there resided until eleven years of a^^e, during which time he began 
iiis education in the public schools. When a youtli of eleven summers,. 
however. he crossed the Atlantic to America with his parents in 1869, the 
family locating at Fort Scott, Kansas. The subject of this review attended 
the public schools in that locality and learned to read and speak the Kng- 
lish language. In 1S71 the family removed to Neosho county, locating on 
a farm, and to its development and improvement he devoted his time and 
attention throughout the summer months, while in the winter season he 
completed his education in the public schools. 

In 1S69 Mr. Rundquist came to Elsmore and entered the employ of 
W. D. Cox, as a salesman in his general merchandise store, remaining in 
his service for three years, when he accepted a clerkship with J. P. Decker 
with whom he also remained for three years. He afterward engaged in 
clerking for Lardner & Love Brothers for two years, and when they sold 
their store to the firm of Smith & Sons Mr. Rundquist remained with their 
successors by whom he is still employed. He is known as one of the most 
reliable and capable salesmen in the town, his honesty being above ques- 
tion, while his fidelity to his employers' interests has won him their un- 
qualified confidence, and his genial manner and obliging disposition have 
made him popular with the public. 

Mr. Rundquist was united in marriage to Miss Emma Linquist, a 
daughter of J. A. I/inquist and a native of Sweden. Their marriage has 
been blessed with six children, but only three are now living, namely: 
Albena, Abnei and Agnes. The family occupy a pleasant home in Els- 
more, which is the property of Mr. Rundquist, and he also owns other real 
estate in the town, having thus made judicious investments of his capital. 



AL. CAMPBELL is well known in commercial circles in Savoiiburg as 
• the popular proprietor of a leading drug store there. He was born 
in Bates county, Missouri, on the iiih of October, 1873, ^ ^o" of Dr. J. T. 
Campbell, whose birth occurred in Bates county, Missouri, in 1843. Re- 
moving to Linn county, Kansas, he there engaged in the practice of me;li- 
cine until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was forty-five years 
of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Williams, a native of 
Bates county, Missouri, is still living, her home being in Pleasanton, Kan- 
sas. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two have passed 
away. The others are T. V., now of Galena; P. W.. of Centerville, Kan- 
sas; Belle, wife of William Sharp, of Osawatomie, Kansas; A. L.; S. W. , of 
Savonbnrg; and W. B. and Ethel, who are with their mother in Pleasanton. 
During his early boyhood A. L. Campbell accompanied his parents on 
their removal to Linn county, Kansas, where he was reared and acquired 



■WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 44J 

this literary education. Through his own earnest efforts and diligent labor 
he acquired a knowledge of pharmac)' and received a certificate to engage 
'in its practice in 1896. He then opened a drug store in Savonburg, Where 
bj' his close attention to business, his indefatigable industr_v and his court- 
eous treatment of his patrons he has built up a large and constantly 
growing business. He is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, 
and is deeply interested in its success, but has never sought the honors or 
•emoluments of office for himself. He belongs to Savonburg Camp, No. 
I 271, M. W. A.. Parsons Lodge No. 527, B. P. O. Elks, and in social cir- 
cles he is popular and highly esteemed. 



""pHOMAS W. ROBERTS, one of the energetic young farmers of Els- 
-*- more township, Allen county, was born in Washington county, In- 
diana, on the 3rd of August, 1857. His father, John L- Roberts, was also 
a native of the Hoosier state, and there wedded Miss Laura Edwards, one 
of Indiana's daughters. In early life John L- Roberts engaged in teaching 
school, but at the breaking out of the Civil war he put aside all personal 
•considerations, donned the blue and joined the One Hundred and Seven- 
teenth Indiana Infantry, with which he saw some hard service during the 
winter of 1862-3. His regiment was in eastern Tennessee and marched all 
over that section of the country from Camp Nelson, Kentucky, to Cumber- 
land Gap, and to Greenville, Tennessee. They were only about half clothed 
and their food supply was cut down three-quarters. They were hemmed in 
in that district, being unable to communicate with the main branch of the 
army and thus were forced to undergo much suffering. In the spring of 
1863 they marched back to Camp Nelson and by train Mr. Roberts pro- 
■ceeded to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was honorably discharged bv 
reason of the expiration of his term of service. In 1865 he removed to 
Illinois where he engaged in farming until 1876 and then went with his 
iaraily to California, but after a year he returned to the Prairie .state, re- 
maining there until the spring of 1885 when he came to Kansas and pur- 
chased two hundred and forty acres of land two miles northeast of Els- 
more. There he resided until his death which occurred in February 1896, 
when he was sixty-three years of age. His wife still survives him and is" 
now living on the old homestead with her son, Thomas W. 

The subject of this review is the only surviving member of their family 
of six children. He has assumed the management and care ot the farm, 
making a good home for his mother and relieving her of all responsibility. 
He was reared in Indiana and in his boyhood days pursued his education 
in the common schools, while later he continued his studies in Ashbury 
University at Green Castle, that state. He afterward engaged in teaching, 
spending one year as a teacher in Illinois. After the death of his father he 
abandoned teaching in order to take charge of the farm which he has since 
succes.sfully conducted. He raises cattle, hogs and horses and the well- 



44S HrsTORY OF ALLEK AKTD 

tilled fields yield to him good harvests. There is a comfortable residence 
aiul modern iinprovemetUs upon the place and everything; about the farm 
is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision. 

On the 26th of October, iSgo, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah A. Canaday, a native of Indiana. They have never had any 
childreri of their own, but have adopted a little daughter. In his political 
views Mr. Roberts is a Republican and he keeps well informed on the 
issues of the day. In farming, as in teaching, he has met with success and 
is now numbered among the energetic and reliable agriculturists of his 
communitv. 



NELSON F. ACERS, whose gradual retirement from active affairs in 
lola removes one of the original and conspicuou.s characters of Allen 
county and the state of Kansas from the ranks of busy men, is a Kansan of 
thirty-five years residence, and a citizen whose history embraces not only 
chapters devoted to his public acts in Allen county but un-recorded pages 
of history of his connection with public matters both state and national in 
their character. He is a man whom a great political party has been 
pleased to honor with leadership and with one of the important public 
trusts of the state. His connection with state politics dates back almost a 
score of years and in the battles won by his party during this period are to 
be seen unmistakable traces of his political counsel and generalship. 

Mr. Acers came to Kansas from Geneva. Illinois, in 1865. He was 
born in the latter state March 4. 1S39, and is a son of the venerable Roswell 
W. Acers, of lola, whose ninety-third birthday will occur in August 1901. 
The Acers are among the early Colonial families, their most remote Ameri- 
can ancestor having settled in one of the New E)ngland colonies, an emi- 
grant from Erin's Isle. The "Akers, Acres and the Acers" all emigrated 
from the same source and their kinship i.s undoubted. Which is the cor- 
rect and incorrupted spelling of the Celtic natne is now indeterminable. 
John Acers, our subject's grandfather, was born in New Hampshire in 1771 
whence he removed to New York, in Chautauqua, of which state Roswell 
W. Acers was born. John Acers married Malinda Spears and lived till 
i,S54, dying in Kane county, Illinois, in his ninety-third year. Roswell 
W. Acers was his second child and was reared in his native county. He 
was a father's son, was schooled limitedly and became a farmer on begin- 
ning life independently. He was married to Juliette Spencer and left the 
Empire state about 1831. They settled in Kane county, Illinois, and were 
there residents upon the farm and in Geneva till 1867, when they followed 
their .son, our subject, to Kansas. 

Nelson F. Acers is the sole heir to his parents. His youth was passed 
upon his father's Kane county farm and the pioneer schools did the work of 
education for him in his boyhood. He studied law with Major J. H. May- 
borne in Geneva, 111., and graduated at the Albany (N. Y.) Law Depart- 



WOODSON COCNTIE:;, KANSAS. 449 

Jiieut University. He was admitted to practice by the supreme court of the 
state of New York and •.vhen he was ready foi business entered the office 
where he had first studied and took charge of liis old preceptor's business, 
the hitter entering the military service ol the United States. This respon- 
sible professional and business arrangement was, most probably, what pre- 
vented his entering the armj' himself before the Civil War ended. He 
tried his first lawsuit in Geneva and practiced his profession there till late 
in 1865 when he set out for the west. 

Just at the close of the war Mr. Acers set out for Kansas. He reached 
Weston, Missouri, (then the western terminus of railroads) by rail. From 
this latter point he walked in the direction of the capital of Kansas. When 
he arrived at his dejitination the state legislature was in session and, as 
clerical conipetents were needed to properly prepare the records of the pro- 
ceedings of the Senate, he was appointed first assistant secretary of that 
body. "Jim" Legate was in the state Senate then; Colonel Anthony was 
in the House and so were Jacob Stotler and "Jim" Snoddy. The legisla- 
ture was taken up chiefly, that session, with railroad land grants as a pre- 
liminary to the construction of the pioneer railroads of the state. Early in 
the spring of 1868 our subject came on down to lola, a little hamlet of, per- 
haps, one hundred and fifty people. One of the first acts he did was to 
purchase four lots on the "Sleeper" corner where he erected a residence 
and made arrangements for the reception of his family. He formed a part- 
nership with W. S. Newberry for the practice of law and took a leading 
place at the bar of eastern Kansas almost from the start. He was elected 
County Attornej' in 1867 and, byre-election, setved two terms. In 1874 he 
was named as the candidate of the "opposition" to the Republican ticket 
for Probate Judge and, contrary to his expectation and desires, he was 
elected. His first official act as Judge of Probate was to grant a marriage 
license to E. A. Barber of Humboldt. 

The discovery of mineral water at lola by the Acers was responsible, 
largely, for Mr. Acers' separation from the law. He conceived the idea of 
establishing a sanitarium here and did so with considerable degree of suc- 
cess. For some years the lola Mineral Well was widely advertised and 
many patients went away from here with the song of its praise upon their 
lips. But for lack of local interest the sanitarium proposition failed of its 
true purpose and object. Succeeding this venture Mr. Acers was more 
and more of an interested participant in politics Formerly he was a Re- 
publican but in 1869 something happened in Allen county which caused 
him to change front and he ever afterward trained with the Democrats. 
In 1882 he was nominated by the minority party for Congress, in the 
second congre.ssional district, but was defeated. In 1885 he was appointed 
by President Cleveland Internal Revenue Collector for the district embrac- 
ing Kansas and the Indian Territorj'. In this capacity he served four 
years and when Mr. Harrison was elected his resignation was one of the 
first to reach the department, and he was the last to be relieved of duty. 

Hiving an interest in soma silver mining property in the west upon 
his release from offi;:ial life Mr. Acers went thither to develop the same. 



450 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

At the old price of silver bullion the property promised large returns and 
the placing of the wealth of its owners in the six figure column, but with 
the rapid decline of that commodity the value of the property decreased to 
anon-paying basis and its operation was abandoned to others. In 1896 
Mr. Acers returned to lola and took an active interest in the campaign of 
that year, in the hope that the "16 to i" plan would triumph. Since then 
he has devoted his energies to the real estate and loan business, and to the 
improvement of the family properties. The erection of the Odd Fellows 
Block in 1898 was due largely to his foresight and progressive spirit and in 
other matters where his town might be benefitted has he shown his un- 
selfish and disinterested hand. 

September 23 1863, Mr. Acers was married to Ellen A. Conant. a 
daughter of William Conant, of Geneva, Illinois. The Conants were Ver- 
mont people where, at Brandon, Mrs. Acers wa?; born in 1840. Two chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Acers, viz: Miss Grace and Fred A., the 
latter being deceased. 



WILLIAM J. PRICE. — The reward for honorable toil follows surely 
and swiftly the efforts of our citizens and the fruits of legitimate 
endeavor come to us as a note of encouragement, as a token of appreciation 
for expended energy, and the ratio of such reward is in proportion to the 
magnitude of our endeavors. Illustrations occur daily in all lines of in- 
dustrial activity where men rise from comparative obscurity to affluence 
and semi-opulence in a decade or a score of years but seldom, does it seem, 
that we would find, in the field of agriculture, a success so pronounced as 
is brought to our notice in the sketch of William J. Price, our subject. 
The life of the farmer, as that of the merchant, is full of successes and 
failures and when we behold one who is conspicuously an example of thrift 
and well-doing we at once conclude that his business practices have been 
along coriect principles and that prodigality and extravagance have had no 
part in his makeup. We present herein the history, in brief, of a self-made 
man, one born and reared to the farm work and to the experiences found 
in an humble and respectable country home. Born in the northernmost of 
the southern states, West Virginia, he was but a boy ju.st entering his 
'teens when the war between the states broke out. His native county was 
Marion and his birthday, September 26, 1849. He is a son of Eli Price 
and Amanda Troy, the former yet a resident of the state of his birth, West 
Virginia. He was born in 1822, passed his life as a mode-st farmer, and 
was widoweied in 18S3, his wife dying at the age of fifty-six years. 

Six of the .seven children of Eli and Amanda Price survive. The first 
death among the children occurred December 2, 1900, when the youngest 
was thirty-five years old. William J. Price is the first born. There seems 
to have been nothing unusual in his career as a boy, except that he appears 
to have been a trifle more in earnest than the average country lad in ac- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 451 

quiring an education. His school days closed with a season in the vState 
Normal School of West Virginia and for twelve years thereafter he was en- 
gaged in teaching school. Seven years was he surveyor of his county but 
notwithstanding these seeming advantages he was slow to prosper. Op- 
portunities in the old state appeared rare and no solution of the question of 
his ultimate welfare seemed better than a removal to Kansas. Hither he 
came in 1S82 and made settlement in Bourbon county. He was a tenant 
for seven years and in that time laid the foundation for the prosperity he 
now enjoys. He purchased a quarter section of land on the east line of 
Allen county and took possession of it in 1889. He paid for this with the 
proceeds of liis labor and added more land. His farm of four hundred and 
eighty acres, with a modern dwelling and large barn and yards of stock, 
and a credit commensurate with his needs tell the story of his achievements 
on a Kansas farm inside of twenty years. 

In the case of nearly every successful Kansas farmer so v^'itli Mr. Price. 
He became interested in the cattle and horse business upon his advent to 
Kansas and in this he has acquired much of his financial independence. 
Some of his stock of various kinds is registered and other is eligible to reg- 
istration; His horse stock is his pride ind his stalls contain animals which 
are a credit to the county and to his tiste as a growei of the "princeot 
animals." 

October 19, 1871, Mr. Price was married to Elizabeth Jackson who 
was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 1S50. Mr. and Mrs. Price are 
the parents of thirteen children, viz: William H., Alpheus E. , Clarence 
W., Ross L., Amanda Belle, wife of Arthur Stonehocker; Isaac L. . Bessie 
A, , Virginia E., Bertha L,ee, George E., Maud Agnes, Ruth Cleveland 
and Florence Olive Price. A family group shows both children and 
parents, fifteen in number, a fact and circumstance both remarkable and 
unusual. 

Mrs. Price is a daughter of Alfred Jackson and Parthena vShowalter. 
Both were natives of Pennsylvania. The latter died in 1856 and the former 
is a resident of Boulder, Colorado. He was born in 1823 and is the father 
of three children. 

Mr. Price takes a citizen's interest in public affairs in Allen county 
and has repiesented his party as a candidate for public office. He has no 
special desire for holding office but it was only to obey the commands of his 
party that he consented to run. He is convinced of two things: That he 
is on the right side politically and on the wrong side numerically. Al- 
though his ancestry answered to the Democratic roll call and weie citizens 
of a semi-southern state their sentiments during the Rebellion were in- 
tensely union. Two uncles died in the service and other relatives tendered 
patriotic and agpreciative service in the cause of a union of the states. 

Mr. Price affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. He was introduced to 
the mysteries at twenty-two years of age and holds his membership in 
Uniontown Lodge No. 115. 



452 HISTOkV OF ALLEX AXD 

1 NANII'IL FREED — When out- is forced to begin a business life einpty- 
■^ — ' handed it is necessary to practice econouij' in order to gain a start, 
and to endure many hardships and trials. This demands courage, and 
only people of resolute spirit are enabled to overcome the difficulties and 
obstacles in the path to progress and prosperity. Mr. Freed, however, is 
numbered among the representatives of that class. He was born in Han- 
cock county, Ohio, on the 13th of January, 1850, a son of John and Sarah 
(Dubbs) Freed, also natives of the Buckeye State. The father was an ag- 
riculturalist and died upon the old home farm in Ohio, in 1891, at the age of 
seventy-five years, while his wife passed away in June, 1900, at the age of 
seventy-seven years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom 
five are now living. 

Daniel Freed was the seventh in order of birth and was reared in Ohio, 
spending the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof. He 
pursued a common school education, assisted in the labors of field and 
meadow, and in his minority also learned the painter's trade. As a com- 
panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Pleasant A. Huff, also 
a native of Ohio, their marriage being celebrated June 23, 1870. 

In the following year Mr. Freed came to Kansas and preempted a 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land on the county line, it being 
located in the southwestern corner of the section on which the town of 
Savonburg now stands. He arrived in Kansas without capital. He had 
no money with which to carry on the work of improving his place or of 
supporting his family, but he j))ssessed indefatigable energy and determina- 
tion. Tliese are solid foundation .stones of success, and upon them he has 
builded his fortune. As he found opportunity he followed the painter's 
trade. Many of the pioneer settlers of that day, being limited in fiiiancial 
resources, did not have their homes painted, but as the population in- 
creased new residences and buildings were erected and'his patronage in the 
line of his trade grew and today it claims all of his attention. He still 
owns his farm, but the work of cultivating and improving it is carried on 
by tho.se whom he employs. Many years have passed since he has known 
through personal experience what poverty meant, for his labors brought 
him a comfortable competence that enabled him to provide his family with 
all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life. He now has a fine 
residence, a large barn and all the necessary outbuildings upon his place, 
everything is kept in good condition. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Freed has been blessed with four children: 
E. Wilbur, who is now in Oklahoma Territory; Alice D., the wife of C. W. 
Nyman, who resides near her father; Hattie Blanche and Henry Clinton, 
who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Freed lias ever given his 
political support to the Republican party, never faltering in his allegiance 
to its principles. Socially he is connected with the Knights and Ladies of 
Securities and A. O. U. VV. at Savonburg. 



■\\OaDSON COTTNTIES, TCA'NSAS. -^.53 

LT. DONOHO — For thirtj^ years L. T. Donoho, one of the enterprising 
• farmers of Elsmore township, has been a resident of Allen county. 
He was born in McDouough county, Illinois, on the 29th of January, 1850, 
and is the youngest of seven children born unto J. M. and Emraa Donoho. 
The father was a native oi Tennessee and died in 188S, at the ripe old age 
■of seventy -six j^ears. while his wife passed away in 1S86, at the age of sixty- 
eight years. 

The subject of this review was reared upon a farm and acquired a com- 
mon school education in Illinois. He came to Kansas with his parents in 
1H70 and has resided in Elsmore township for more than thirty years. In 
the year of his arrival here he married Miss Letitia Harris, and after a 
tjuarter of a century of married life death came to her on the 25th of Sep- 
tember, 1895. She left a hu.sband and nine children to mourn her loss, 
namely: Lillian, now the wife of William Jordan; Effie, the wife of Mont 
-Kirby, of Oklahoma Territory; Ella, the wife of John Kirby, of Elsmore 
township; Ernest, lyawrence, Jennie, Cecil, Alice and Fred, all of whom 
are at home. 

Mr. Donoho was reared to agricultural pursuits and in the early part 
of his business career followed farming, but finally sold his propert5' and 
took up his abode in Elsmore, where he was engaged in merchandising for 
some time. In 1894 he was appointed postmaster of the town and served 
under the presidential administration of Grover Cleveland. On the expira- 
tion of his four years' term he was succeeded by a Republican, but retired 
.from oflSce with a creditable record as an obliging, accommodating and 
.faithful official. He then returned to his farm and assumed the cultivation 
of its fields and the raising of stock, to which work he has since given his 
attention, preferring it to any other occupation. In his political views Mr. 
Donoho is a Democrat and socially he is connected with the Fraternal Aid 
Society, of Elsmore. Throughout the long years of his residence in the 
county he has become widel3' known and his career will bear the close.st 
■investigation. 



rOSEPH ERICSON — The name of Ericson is well knovvn in Connection 
'^ with agricultural interests in Allen county and has ever been synony- 
mous with signal honesty in business affairs. Joseph Ericson, who now 
follows farming in Elsmore township, claims Illinois as the State of his 
nativity, his birth having occured in Knoxville, Knox county, on the 6th 
of November, 1827. His father, Ole Ericson, was born in Sweden in the 
>ear 1812, and having arrived at years of maturity, he was married in that 
country. His wife, Elna, was born in 1825, and in the year 1S50 they 
•came to the new world, attracted by the opportunities here afforded. Since 
that time they have been residents of Knox county. Illinois, their home 
being in Knoxville. The father has reached the advanced age of eighty- 
eight \-ears and the mother is now seventj'-five years of age. Their 



45-f HISTORY OF ALLF.I? ANl^ 

family numbered nine children and three of the sons are now prosperou';' 
farmers of Allen county. 

Joseph Ericson, the fifth in order of birth, was reared in Knox county 
and pursued his education in the common schools and worked for his 
parents until twenty-one years of age and then secured employment as a 
farm hand, to which w^ork he gave his attention through the summer 
months, while in the winter ?;eason,s he was employed in the coal mines. 
Through his industry, economy and determination he accumulated about 
six- hundred dollars, and with this capital he came to Kansas, accompanied 
by his brother Eric. They made the journey in the spring of iSS.^ and our 
su-bject located first at Warrensburg, where he was employed in a store 
owned by Charles Nelson. About a year afterward he and his brother 
together purchased what is known as a "league claim" in Allen county, 
investing all of their capital in that property. Soon, however they found 
that they could not secure a title without again buying the land. Thus 
they lost all of the money which they had first put into the place, but they 
made arrangements to again pay the purchase price, and for seven years 
Joseph Ericson resided upon that farm, after which he sold his interest to 
his brother and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, town' 
26, range 20, on which he has since made his home, and today he owns in 
Elsmore township a valuable property of two hundred acres, conveniently 
located one tuile west of the town oi Elsmore, which furnishes him a good 
market for all that he has to sell. 

Although Mr. Ericson started out upon his business career without a 
dollar and has had no assistance from wealthy or influential friends, he has 
steadily advanced upon a successful career, his resolute spirit and unflag- 
ging energy standing him instead of capital. His property interests are 
now very desirable. A pleasant residence occupies a good building site 
and is surrounded with shade trees of his own planting. A school house 
is located at one corner of his farm and thus his children enjoy educational 
advantages near at hand. He raises hogs, cattle ar.d horses, and to hi.s^ 
stock feeds the most of his grain. His farming methods are progressive 
and he is quick to adopt all improved methods which will promote the 
productiveness of his farm or add to its value or convenience. 

On the iith of February, 1892, in Allen county, Mr. Ericson led to the 
marriage altar Miss Amanda Olson, a daughter of Nels and Anna Olson, 
both of whom were natives of Sweden. Mrs. Ericson was born in Ford 
county, Illinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of five chil- 
dren, but Elna and Arthur are now deceased. Those still living are Elmer, 
Josie and Juneta. A nephew, Eddie W. Miller, is also a member of the 
family. Mr. Ericson usually gives his political support to the Populist 
party, but votes for the men rather than the organization. For eighteen 
years he has been a resident of Allen county, known and respected as a 
man of sterling worth and ability, and as one of those who contribute to the 
general stability of the community he is numbered. 



'\\'00~DSOVl COUNTIES, KARSAS. ^j.^^ 

TO"HN SWAXSOX, who follows farming in Elsmore township, was born 
■^ in Sweden, December 5, 1850. His father. Swan Olson, is still a 
resident of Sweden, and there he reared his famih-, the subject of this 
review remaining in that country until he was twentj'-one years of age, 
when he crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Moline, Illinois, 
^vhere he entered the employ of the John Deere Plow Company and re- 
mained for three years. At the expiration of that time he went to 
Iowa and for two years was employed as a farm hand, after which he re- 
turned to Moline and again entered the works of the Deere Company. He 
was employed for four years in the factory, during which time he won the 
confidence of Mr. Deere who manifested his appreciation of the faithful 
.service our subject had rendered him by giving him employment at his home 
and there he remained for two years. 

In 1876 Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Benson, 
a native of Sweden who came to America on the same ship on which her 
husband had made the voyage. He then rented a farm in Henry county, 
Illinois, and continued its operation for eight years, returning again to 
Moline, where he resided two years. Believing that he could more readily 
secure a home for his family in the west he then came to Kansas, arriving 
in Allen county on the 8th of November, 1887. He purchased eightv acres 
of land two miles and a half west of Savonburg, where he still resides and 
has made himself one of the prettiest homes in the county, having erected 
a fine residence in the midst of a beautiful grove. The house is finished in 
an attractive manner on the inside and neatly furnished and an aii of 
hospitality pervades it. Mrs. Swanson presides over the household affairs 
and is an excellent housekeeper. Mr. Swanson attends to the work of the 
fields and everythingabout the place is characterized by thrift and enterprise. 
When he left Sweden he had to borrow money of his brother and in Illinois 
he laid up $1300 which he brought to Kansas, and by his untiring diligence 
and capalDle management he has continually added to his competence which 
bas now assumed very creditable proportions. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sw^anson have been born seven children, three 
sons and four daughters; Alfred, Ansfred and Victor, who are at home and 
assist their father in the work of the farm; Almeda, who is in Kansas City; 
and Jennie, Minnie and Ester, who are still with their parents. In his 
political views Mr. Swanson is a Republican. His duties of citizenship 
are faithfully discharged and he is true to all responsibilities devolving 
upon him. Surely he had earned the proud American title of "self-made 
man" for having come to the new world empty handed he has worked his 
way upward, and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wise- 
ly and well. 



TSAAC X. O'BRIEN — Tireless energy, well directed by sound business 
J- judgment, has brought to Mr. O'Brien very gratifying success in the 
affairs of life. He resides in Humboldt township, where he owns and 



456 HISTOKY OF ALLEN* ASTC 

occupies a fine farm. He was born ii> Pike cannty. Ohio, Xfarch 29, rS35'>. 
and was about twenty-three years of age when he came to this State. Hib- 
father, Cornelius O'Brien, was born in the Buckeye State m 1808, and' 
having arrived at years of maturity he married Leah Newman, of Adams 
county, Ohio. In the year 1857 he came with his son William to Allen- 
county, Kaiwas, and preempted the quarter section of land upon which his- 
son Isaac now resides. The country was wild and the Indians far out- 
numbered the white population. It lecjuired considerable .courage lor an 
eastern man to settle amonji the red-skinned people, and also face the trials 
and hardships incident to life on the frontier, but for many years the father 
carried on farming and was regarded as one of the reliabJe citizens of the 
community. He died in 1872, at the age of si.xty four years. His wife 
ivas born in 1807, and pa.ssed away in 1866, at the age of fifty-nine. They 
had but two children: William C, of Mound Valley, Kansas, and Isaac N. 

Isaac N. O'Brien spent the days of his childhood and youth in Ohio, and 
at the time of his father's removal to Kansas was serving as Clerk of Common 
Pleas court. He served from 1856 to 185S and accordingly did not come to 
the Sunflower State until April 9, 1858, at which time he took up his 
residence in Humboldt and engaged in freigJiting from I,eavenworth and 
Kansiis City. When the war broke (jut he joined the army and was de- 
tailed as a teamster. He was discharged in September, 1862, and went 
back to Ohio, and when the w'ai was nearly over reenlisted as a substitute, 
receiving sixteen hundred dollars for his services. As his command was 
proceeding down the Ohio river, they received word that Lee had sur- 
rendered and were ordered back to be discharged, so that Mr. O'Brien was 
only out four weeks the second time. 

Throughout the greater part of his business career he has carried on 
farming. He spent five years, however, in Chanute, where he operated 
the electric light plant and mills, aivd was also engaged for a time in the 
grocery business. In due time he returned to his farm where he is now 
extensively and successfully engaged in the raising of wheat, corn and 
hogs. His place comprises a tract of rich, uever-failing bottom land on the 
Neosho river. 

Mr. O'Brien has been twice married. First May 29, 1859, he wedded, 
in Ohio, Mi.ss Mary E. Were, and to them were born a sou and daughter: 
Cornelius, born April 14, 1864, is now engaged in the transfer business in 
Cincinnati, Ohio; Mary E. , born May 13 and died July 16, 1867. The 
mother died June 5, 1867, and Mr. O'Brien was again married February 
II, 1872, his second union being with Miss Maggie P. Moore, of Pike 
county, Ohio. By this union six children were born: J. M.,a prominent 
merchant in Humboldt; Grace aild Hattie, both of whom have been college 
students and are now teachers in Allen county; Bertha, George and Perlie. 

In his political affiliations Mr. O'Brien has always been a Republican. 
The honors and emoluments of public office have had no attraction for him, 
his attention being given to the farm, which has been the means of secur- 
ing for him a comfortable competence. He has long been a witness of the 



WOODSON countie;;, Kansas. 457 

growth and development of southeastern Kansas, and Allen county num- 
bers him among her valued early settlers. 



"\ A TTLLIAM W. MOFFITT, who has from early boyhood been de- 
^ ^ pendent upon his own resources and has worked his way steadily 
upward, is now one of the most progressive and successful business men in 
Savonburg. A native of Franklin county, Indiana, he was born December 
30, 1847, a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Garrison) Mofifitt. The father 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man removed to Indiana, 
where he met and married Miss Garrison, who had gone to the Hoosier 
state with her parents in her girlhood. Mr. Moflitt was a carpenter by 
trade, and followed that pursuit for a few years in Illinois, after which he 
came to Kansas in 1867, locating in Bourbon county, near Uniontown. 
He died in 18S8, at the age of seventy years, wdiile visiting in Nebraska. 
Five years earlier his wife passed away at the age of fifty-three. They had 
five children: William W., Mrs. Mary E. Lakin, Emma Pemrock, 
Charles and Mrs. Ella A. Cation. 

Mr. Moffitt, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in 
Illinois, and mastered the common English branches of learning as taught 
in the public schools. He came with the family to Kansas in 1S67, when 
twenty years of age and remained with his parents till the age of twent\'- 
five, when he was married to Miss Anna Morrison, the wedding being cele- 
brated on the nth of February, 1872. The lady is a native of Guernsey 
countj% Ohio They began their domestic life upon a rented farm near 
Uniontown, where Mr. Moffitt carried on agricultural pursuits for a year, 
and then removed to Neosho county. Here he secured a claim in Grant 
township, and is to-day the owner of eighty acres of highly improved land. 
He continued farming until 1S91, when he removed his family to Savon- 
burg, where he has since engaged in tlie grain and seed business, buying 
and shipping those commodities. His trade has constantly grown, and his 
business now amounts to sixty thousand dollars annually, for he handles 
the greater part of the grain raised in the southeastern portion of Allen 
county, having a warehouse in both Elsmore and Savonburg. He has ex- 
cellent facilities for tarrying on the business and is prepared to pay the 
highest market price for grain, seeds and broom corn. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt has been blessed with two chil- 
dren, Edna and Elsa. They occupy a very pleasant residence in Savon- 
burg, which is owned by Mr. Moffitt, whose property interests also include 
his farm and the buildings in which he is conducting his business. In 
politics he has always been a Republican, warmly espousing the principles 
of the party, and he is now capably serving as Justice of the Peace in his 
township. Of the Odd Fellows Society, the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America he is a representative, 
belonging to the local organizations in Savonburg. His life illustrates the 
power of honesty and diligence in the business world and is an example 
that is well worthy of emulation. 



45S lftS'a)KV OF ALLEX A.VD 

GUS EXGELHARDT, one of the well known and popular farmers of 
Elsmore township, Allen county, was born in LaGrange, Cook 
county, Illinois, and is of German lineage. His father, Charles Engel- 
hardt, was a native of Germany, and when a young man crossed the briny 
deep to the new world in 1S56, settling upon a farm near Chicago. He was 
married to Miss Marie Harnish, who was also a native of Germany. An 
agriculturist by occupation, he engaged in the tilling of the soil in Cook 
county, Illinois, from 1856 until 1S78, and during that time made consider- 
able money. He then determined to remove to the west, where he could 
buv land at a lower price, and in 1S7S came to Kansas, where he purchased 
a farm of one thousand and eighty acres on Big Creek, in Elsmore town- 
ship, — one of the richest tracts in Allen county. He there resided until 
his death, which was caused by the accidental discharge of a gun. He 
was a man whom to know was to respect and honor (or he lived an indus- 
trious life, true to all noble and manly princij)les. His wife still survives 
him at the age of sixty-five years, and is now living wiih her sons in Chi- 
cago. Mr. and Mrs. Engelhardt had nine children, namely: Alfred. 
Robert, Gus, Frank, Fred, Ed. and Mrs. Flora Consell. The last named 
is a resident of Wyoming, Illinois. 

Gus Engelhardt was reared in Illinois until sixteen years of age, when 
he came to Kansas with his parents, remaining with them on the home- 
stead farm until he attained his majority when he crossed the plains to 
California and for one year worked at the carpenter's trade on the Pacific 
coast. Since that time he has engaged in the operation of the farm in 
Allen county, which belonged to his fatlier. He took charge of the place 
upon his father's death and has since successfully operated it, raising and 
feeding cattle and hogs in riddition to the cultivation of the fields. He has 
excellent grades of stock upont he place and is a progressive agriculturalist, 
all appointments being modern, while the farm machinery is of the latest 
improved kind. He possesses good business qualifications and his capable 
management of the property has made it yield a good return. 

Mr. Engelhardt was married April 7, 1897, to Miss Mary Teel, a 
daughter of John and lilizabeth Teel. She was born in Linn county, 
Iowa, and with her ])arenis came to Kansas in 1877. By her marriage she 
has become the mother of an interesting little daughter. Mona Marie, born 
August 25, 1899. In his fraternal relations Mr. Engelhardt is connected 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He voles with the Republican party, and assists his friends in 
obtaining office but has never desired official preferment for himself. 



JOHX S. WILSON, of LaHarpe, is one of the more recent settlers of 
Allen county and he belongs to the thrifty and industrious class of 
Anglo-Americans who are so numerous in Elm township. He came into 
Allen county in 1889 from Tazewell countj-, Illinois, where he had resided 
fifteen years and whither he went from Livingston county, Xew York. In 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 459 

the latter state he was a neighbor of our fellow townsman, Henry Biisley, 
and in locating in Allen county it was not strange that he should join farms 
with his old friend in their new home. 

Mr. Wilson was born in Lincjlushire, England, November 15, 1843, 
and is a son of John Wilson, a laborer, who had two sons and three 
daughters, viz: Mary, deceased, wife of William Wakefield; Robert Wil- 
son, who is in Australia; Elizabeth, who is married to William Graham 
and resides in England; John S. Wilson, and Jane, wife of John Higgins, 
of England. 

Our subject's mother was a school teacher and her maiden name was 
Lizzie Simpson. vShe reared her family to habits of industry and to prin- 
ciples of honesty and gave them such intellectual training as to equip them 
for successful comp2tition with the world. 

At nine years of age John S. Wilson b2gan working by the year and 
at the age of thirteen he was able to earn three pounds. His labors were 
all given to farm work and the highest wages he earned (which was the 
highest paid) was twenty-one pounds a year. When he left England it 
was with sufficient funds to pay the passage of himself, wife and a child. 
He became a farm hand in his new but temporary home in Livingston 
county. New York, and when he had layed up two hundred dollars he 
bought a team and began farming rented land. He had accumulated a 
small surplus when he came to Illinois and a little more by the time he 
settled in Kansas, so that when he contracted for his home place of eighty 
acres he was only in debt a thousand dollars. In the eleven j-ears he has 
passed in Allen county he has paid off his indebtedness and is clear of in- 
cumbrance with another eighty acres added to complete his quarter section. 

In 1872 Mr. Wilson was married in Lincolnshire, England, to Susan 
Johnson who died at LaHarpe in 1891 leaving three children, as follows: 
Lizzie, wife of Simon Remsburg, a prominent young farmer of lola town- 
ship; Robert W. Wilson, with his father, and Lydia Wilson, who died May 
4, igoo, from accidental' burning. 

Mr. Wilson allied himself with the Democratic party when he became 
a voter in the United States and, in his quiet way, has given aid and com- 
fort to the enemies of the opposition for many years. 

His pride in his home Mr. Wilson has made manifest in his constant 
and permanent improvement of his premises. His farm is one of the con- 
spicuously attractive ones on his highway and when an}' of the conven- 
iences of a farm are needed he provides them. 



GEORGE H. BACON was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, on 
Christmas day of 1827, his parents being Henry H. and Lois (Mill) 
Bacon, also natives of that state. The son spent the first fifteen yeais of 
his life in the place of his nativity. His father died in Connecticut in 
1840, at the age of forty-six years, and in 1842 he accompanied his mother 



460 HISTORY OF ALLK.V AXD 

on her removal to Indiana. Throughont lier remaining days he cared for 
her, and she departed this life at his home in Kansas in 1874 when eighty- 
nine years of age. 

While in Indiana George H. Bacon learned the trade of cloth dressing, 
which he followed for seven years. In 1853 he and his mother removed to 
Illinois, where he engaged in farming. His first work was at the car- 
penter's trade, which he followed for eighteen months, and from his earn- 
ings he saved three hundred dollars. He then visited New Orleans, but 
reuirning to Illinois worked on a farm for nine months, after which he par- 
ch ised eighty acres of land, devoting his energies to its cultivation. In 
that enterprise he met with gratifying success. 

In 1853 Mr. Bacon was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. F. Ridge, 
a native ot Indiana, and in Illinois the\' resided until 1873 when they came 
to Kansas, Mr. Bacon purchasing two hundred acres of land in Elsmore 
township, where he has since resided. He has made splendid improve- 
ments upon his farm and has a very desirable property. In 1S95 Mrs. 
Bacon died at the age of si.Kty-four years. They were the parents of t-en 
children, six of whom are now living, namely: Charles \V. , who resides 
on a farm in Elsmore township; John E. , of LaHarpe; Ella L-, wife of 
Wesley Jones; Mary F., wife of C. S. Cox; Laura Kate, wife of E. W. 
Myler, of Burlingame, Kansas; Lizzie H., wife of B. F. Low, and Frank 
M., an adopted son. 

Mr. Bacon has always been a strong temperance man and now has in 
his possession a pledge which he signed September 16, 1841, when fourteen 
years of age, and giving the names of the president and secretary of the 
organization Prior to the war he was a supporter of the Abolition party 
and on its organization he joined the Republican party, vvith which he has 
since affiliated. His life has b^en one of marked industry. A glance at 
his farm will indicate his careful supervision and progressive methods. 
He has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey, and in the 
evening of life he receives the veneration and respect -which should ever be 
accorded those whose record is an upright one. 



/"> W. NYMAN owns and operates a valuable farm of two hundred 
^-^ • acres in Elsmore township. He was born in Clay county. South 
Dakota, on the 3rd of September. 1869, and is of Swedish lineage, being 
the eldest son of August J. and Matilda Nynian, both of whom were natives 
of Sweden. The father was born April 9, 1839, acquired his education in 
the public schools, and on the 30th of December, 1S67, married Miss 
Matilda Swanson. For a number of 3'ears he had served as a grade con- 
tractor on the railioad. In 186S he came with his young wife to America, 
locating first in Boone county, Iowa, where he worked on a gravel train. 
A year later they went to South Dakota, where Mr. Xyman secured a 
homestead and began farming, experiencing nnny of the hardships and 



I 



"\V GODSON COVNTrES, KAXSAS,. ' ^5^ 

ttrialstliat fall to the lot of the pioneer. The summers were short, the wiifters 
iloii;; and severe, and many blizzards rendered the lot of the settlers any- 
thing but enviable. After nine years Mr. Nyman sold h-is farni and on 
account of ill health returned with his family to Sweden, but after fifteen 
months he again came to America, reaching Kansas in 187S. He bought a 
farm of eighty acres where Savonburg is located, and later added to the 
property until he owns two hundred and sixty a<:res of the rich and pro- 
ductive soil of Allen county. Here he has built a fine country residence 
and large barns and is now in possession of a model country-seat, ever5'- 
tliing about the place being in first class condition. He is numbered among 
the progressive and substantial farmers of Allen count}^ and deserving of 
great credit for his success, for when he first arrived in America he had 
only twenty dollars. His excellent ability as a manager, combined with his 
unflagging industrjs has enabled him to work his way steadily upward and 
today he is in possession of a handsome competence. 

In politics August J. Nyman is a stalwart Republican, inflexible in 
support of the principles of his party. For a third of a century his wife has 
traveled life's journey by his side and their home was bles.sed with three 
children. The two surviving are C. W. and J. O. , the latter a prominent 
real estate dealer in Savonburg. 

In taking up the personal history of C. W. Xyman we present to our 
readers the life of one who is widel5- and favorably known in Allen county. 
He spent the first eight years of his life in his native State, and then ac- 
companied his parents on their return to Sweden. His experience in the 
old country was an interesting period in his boyhood career. With the 
family he came to Allen count}' when nine years of age, and has made his 
home here continuously since, supplementing his early education, acquired 
in South Dakota, by study in the .schools of Savonburg and also in learning 
the Swedish language. He assisted his father in the cultivation of fhe 
home farm and remained under the parental roof until twent3'-one years of 
age, when he was married, on the 3rd of March 1892, to Miss Allie Freed, 
a native of this county, and a daughter of Daniel and Pleasant Freed. They 
now have a little son, Vernon, who is three years old. 

After his marriage Mr. Nyman purchased eighty acres of land on the 
county line, a mile south and we.st of Savonburg, and with characteristic 
energy began transforming the raw prairie into richly cultivated fields. He 
erected a nice residence and added to its homelike appearance by planting 
trees about the place. His house is situated on the county line, and he 
owns also one hundred and twenty acres of land in Neosho count}'. The 
■soil is rich and productive and a crop can be depended upon almost any 
season. He has a herd of good cattle, keeping on hand about forty head, 
and he also has good horses and mules, with which to operate his land and 
tend to the other work of the farm. In 1S96 he became interested in the 
real estate business in Savonburg in connection with his brother, but 
after a year he sold out to his brother and returned to the farm, since which 
time he has devoted his energies exclusiveh- to the cultivation of the fields 
and the raising of stock. 



462 HISTOKV 01-" ALtEM AlS")'/ 

In his social relations Mr. Nyman is an Odd Fellow and Rebekali and? 
also belongs to the Ancient Order ol United Workman, to the Knight^^ 
and Ladies of Security and to the Anti-Horse Thief Association. In politics 
be has been an earnest and energetic Republican since casting his first vote. 
In his farnring methods he rs practical and enterprising, and the.se quali- 
ties have made him one of the i>rosperous agriculturalists of the community, 
while his genial manner has rendered him popular with many friends. 



JAME;S H. RUXYAX — For a quarter of a century James H. Runyan ha.-^ 
resided upon the farm in Elm township which is now his home, and 
is a loyal citizen of K-ansas. He has traveled in- various states but has 
never found a location as pleasing as Allen county and therefore with itS' 
interests he has been long and actively identified. He was born in Warren 
county, Ohio, in 1827. His pmternal great-grandfather, Henry Runyan, 
Sr,, wasa native of Holland, whence he crossed the Atlantic ta America. 
When the yoke of British oppression became intolerable and the people 
sought independence he joined the colonial army, thus l)ecomingone of the 
Revolutionary heroes. His son, Henrj' Runyan, Jr., grandfather of our 
subject, was born in what is now West Virginia, in 1775, and in that State 
occurred the birth of bis son, Peter h- Runyan, the date of his birth being 
rSoi. Ehuing the pioneer epoch in the development of Ohio, lie removed 
from West Virginia to the Buckeye State and in 1824 married Hannah 
Crosson, whose people moved irom Pennsjdvania to Ohio in 1803. Of the 
children of Peter L, Runyan five are still living: Henry, of Butlerville, 
Ohio; James H.; Archie, of Blanchester, Ohio; Mrs. Rebecca Long 
sncl( Mrs. Mary^ Flommerfelt, both of whom are residents of Butlerville. 

James H. Runyan, the second of the family, early became inured to the 
hard labor incident to life upon a pioneer farm. In 1852 he went to Cali- 
fornia, attracted by the discovery of gold there and spent seven years on the 
Pacific slope engaged in mining and in running a pack train and trading 
post at the mines. In 1859 he returned to Ohio and after devoting si.x, 
years to nierehandising once more took up his abode upon the farm where 
he remained until his removal to Allen connty, Kansas, in 1874. He spent 
about a year in lola and then pnrcha.sed the land on which he now resides. 
He found here a log cabin, while a small portion of the ground had been 
placed under cultivation. Each year he has added to the improvements 
upon the place until he has made it one of the best farms in Elm township; 
the well tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute in return for the care 
and cultivation he has bestowed upon them. 

In i860 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Runyan and Miss Sarah S. 
Bird, whose people removed from New Jersey to Ohio. She is the only 
surviving one of a family of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Runyan have 
five children, all living, namely: LeRoy, who is clerking for the Lanyon 
Zinc Company at Lanyonville, is married; George W., married, and is a 



•\VOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 4B5 

twiilroad employe living in X^odesha, Kansas,- Clement E.,ot California; 
Ed L. . who is married and is in the real estate business in LaHai:pe, and 
Mrs. Nellie Morrison who resides on a farm in Elm township. In politics 
the Runyans are Democrats, and in religious belief they are Methodists. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruuyan of this review have been members or the church of 
that denomination for thirty years, and in their life exemplify their 
faith. Mr. Runyan has had no occasion to regret his determination to 
seek a home in Kansas, for here he has prospered, gaining a com- 
fortable competence, and ai the same time winning the respect of his 
fellow men. 



\A7'ILLIAM J. FURXEACX — In his life record William J. Fur- 
" ' neaux has manifested many of tlie sterling traits of his English 
and Scotch ancestors. He was born in Owen Sound, in Canada, September 
4. 1867. His father, John Furneaux, was a native of England, born in 
Devonshire, and at the age of thirteen years he crossed the Atlantic to the 
British province in the new world, being reared and married in Canada. 
Miss Jennie Lawrie, who became his wife, was born in Scotland and was 
brought to Canada when five years of age. With his family John Fur- 
neaux removed to Brown county, Kansas, in 1869, locating upon a farm 
there. He had previously engaged in the manufacture of lye, but after 
coming to the Sunflower state devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. 
.\t pre.sent he is living with his family in Barton county, Missouri. Mr. 
and Mrs. Furneaux became the parents of six children, five of whom are 
living, namely: Robert, William J., Helen, Henry and Grace, now the 
wife of Dan VanScoyoc. 

The subject of this review was the second of the family. He remained 
•ivith his parents until he was twenty-six years of age and was then married 
to Miss Aldora Gloyd, who was born in Bucyrus, Crawford county, Ohio, 
on the 14th of November, 1873, Her parents were Henry and Lavina 
(Grundrun) Gloyd, who came to this state in 18S8, but are now living in 
Davis county, .Uissouri, where Mr. Gloyd has been employed by the 
Wabash Railroad Company for a number of years. 

After his marriage Mr. Furneaux rented a farm and began life on his 
own account. He had a team, but few possessions beyond this and it was 
hard work that gave him his start. However, he possessed an unfailing 
amount of energy and determination and as the result of his well directed 
efforts he was .soon enabled to purchase a farm. 

Mr. Furneaux resided in Anderson county until 1894 when he sold his 
property there and came to Allen county where he purchased eighty acres 
of land a mile and a half east of Elsmore. Here he is making a nice home 
and with the aid of his wife he is advancing steadily on the road to pros- 
perity. The marriage of this worthy couple has been ble,ssed with four 
children, namely: Roy, George, McNel and Eva. Mr. Furneaux has 



464 HTSTOKV OF ALLEJT AST> 

always been a stalwart Republican and is giving, an unswerving support tO' 
the principles of the party, but he has never sought or desired office, hi? 
attention being fully occupied by his business affairs. 



/"^EORGE H. YOtrNG.—'nie record of George H. Young is that of a 
^^ conscientious man who by his upright life has won the confidence ol 
all with whom he has come in contact. He has passed the eighty-third- 
niilestone on life's journey and although the snows of many winters have 
whitened his hair he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirits 
and interests seems yet in his prime. Old age is not ueces.sarily a .syn- 
onym of weakness and inactivity. It need not suggest, as a matter of 
course, want ot occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is a 
benediction to all that come in contact with it, that gives out of its rich 
stores of experience and is thus a benefit to others. Such is the life of Mr. 
Voung, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of- 
emulation to tho.se who are but .starting out on life's journey. 

-He was born in Stokes county. North Carolina, October 24, 181 7, a 
.son of Robert and Mary (Astrop) Young, the former a native ol the Old 
North state, while the latt( r was born in Cnlp>eper county, Virginia. He 
died in Decemlx?r, 1S57, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife sur- 
vived him until 1S64, passing away at the age of seventy five. Nine chil- 
dren were born to them but only three are now living: Anna, who resides 
in North Carolina, at the age of ninety years, George H., and E. H., who 
is still living in the county where he was born seventy-six years ago. 

George H. Young received only such educational privileges as were 
afforded by the common .schools of his naii\e state. He was reared to man- 
hood under the parental roof, and on the iith of March, 1S41, was united 
in marriage to Miss Polly A. Ross. He owned a small farm in North Car- 
olina and continued its op>eration until i860, when he started for Kansas, 
hoping to there secure a good location, but when he re;iched Kansas City 
he heard such discouraging reports concerning the droughts in the Sun- 
flower state that he purchased a farm in Cass county, Missouri, and there 
took up his abode. Afterwar;!, iiowever, he removed to Johnson county, 
Kansas, but returned to his farm in Missouri, where he remained six 
months, then came back to Kansas. In 1870 he came to Allen county and 
secured a claim comprising a quarter .section of land in the stiutheast por- 
tion of the county. It was a tract of wild praiiie on which not a furrow 
had been turned or an improvement made, but he at once began its de- 
velopment and has made his home thereon for thirty years. He has suf- 
fered many trials since coming to the west. He lived in Missouri during a 
portion of the war i>eriod and was exposed to the attacks of the bush- 
whackers who twice robbed him of nearly everything he had and kept him 
in a state of constant fear and anxiety. During the war he joined the 
militia and aided in guarding the families on the border. He has per- 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 465 

formed the arduous task of improving a new farm in Kansas, but now has a 
valuable property which supplies him with all the necessities and comforts 
of life. 

In 1894 Mr. Young was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
died on the 3rd of September of that year, at the age of seventy-two. To 
them were born eleven children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, 
while eight are yet living, namely: Smith A., wife of James Davis, now 
<jf Wilson county, Kansas; Jasper h. I.. Martin G. and John R., all of 
Bourbon, Kansas; G. \V., at home; J. B. , in Nebraska; Charles Grant and 
.\nna M., also at home. 

Mr. Young cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison 
and was a stalwart Whig until the organization of the Republican party 
when he joined its ranks and has since followed its banners, giving his 
support to President McKinley in 1896 and again in 1900. Everything 
pertaining to the welfare of the community receives his endorsement and 
co-operation. To the .Methodist Episcopal congregation he gave a plat of 
ground, the society was organized and a good church was built in 1883, 
now having a membership of between seventy-five and one hundred. Mr. 
Young is a well preserved man, vigorous and energetic, with memory un- 
impaired and mind unc.immed with the weight of years. His many friends 
join in the wish that he may be spared for some years to come, to be num- 
bered still among the respected and worthy citizens of Allen county. 



"T^R. CHARLES S. RANNELLS has been engaged in the practice of 
-* — ' medicine in Allen county for twenty-two years. He possesses a 
broad humanitarian spirit, a sympathetic nature and a strong mind, that in 
its power of analysis enables him to correctly and carefully diagnose dis- 
ease. These qualities have insured his success and won him prestige as a 
representative of the medical fraternity. 

The Doctor was born in St. I.,ouis county, Missouri, January 15, 1851, 
and is the eldest son of Dr. David Watson and Mary Eliza (Clarkson) 
Rannells, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father located in 
St. Louis county, Missouri, at an early day, his home being within seven 
miles of the city of St. Louis, and for forty-five years engaged in practice 
there, being the loved family physician of many a household. He died in 
1876. His wife pa.ssed away many years before, leaving for children: 
Charles S. ; Sallie, wife of Rev. Penn Mead, of New York, now deceased; 
Catherine, who is living in New York with her sister, and David, a resi- 
dent of San Diego county, California. 

Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, 
Charles S. Rannells afterward began the study of medicine under his 
father's watchful care and guidance, and subsequently became a .student in 
the medical university of Baltimore, Maryland, in which institution he was 
graduated in the winter of 1876. He began practice in Baltimore, but 



466 HISTOKY OF ALLKX AND 

after a j-ear returned to Missouri to visit his fatliei and practiced for one 
year in his old home neighborhood near St. Louis. In 1878 he came to 
Allen county, where he has .since made his home, and for a number of 
years has been located in Savonburg. His practice extends into Xeosho 
and Bourbon counties, and has now assumed large proportions. 

The Dcjctor married Mrs. Mattie Ayer>, widow of Benj. W. Avers, and 
a daughter of Dr. G. G. Samuels, a native of Kentucky and one of the 
early settlers of St. Louis, where he met and married Adoline Butler, a 
representative of one of the old families of that city. Dr. Samuels died in 
1895, while visiting in Arkansas, and his wife passed away many years be- 
fore. By her first marriage Mrs. Rannells had two children: Mabel, a 
popular young lady of Allen county; and Bennie, who is married and re- 
sides in Kansas City. Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born a 
daughter, Sallie M., now sixteen years of age, and a son, Charles, who 
died at the age of twetity months. His success in the line of his chosen 
profession has brought to Dr. Rannells a comfortable competence and en- 
ables him to supply his family with many of the luxuries of life. His man- 
ner is cordial and courteous, his actions sincere, and all who know him 
recoarnize his sterling worth. 



T TEXRV K. BLAKELV, who is numbered among Ohio's native sons, 
-'- -•- was born in Miami county, October 11, 1867, and is a son of George 
H. and Sophia Ann (Dillon) Blakely, both of whom were natives 
of Ohio, the latter being of Irish descent, for her grandparents were natives of 
the Green Isle of ICrin. When the subject of this review was three years old 
his parents removed to Dunn county, Wisconsin, and there he resided for 
twelve years, attending the common schools and thus acquiring the founda- 
tion of his education. Subsequently the family became residents of Good- 
hue county, Minnesota, where he completed his schooling. He early be- 
came familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- 
turalist, and in addition to working on the farm through the summer months 
he taught school for nine years in the winter season, thus supplementing 
the money earned at agriculture by a fair income from his professional labors. 

While residing in Goodhue county Mr. Blakely was united in marriage 
oil June 28. 1893, to Miss Effie M. Folsom, who was born and reared in 
that county and successfully followed school teaching until her marriage. 
Her parents were Abel B. and Nancy (W^right) Folsom. Her father died 
in 1897, but her mother is still living and makes her home in Lewiston, 
Idaho, where she owns a good fruit farm. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Blakely has been blessed with two interesting little daughters: Frances F. , 
who is now three years of age, and Bessie May, a baby of about eighteen 
months. 

In the }-ear i8y6 Mr. Blakely came to the Sunflower State and has 
since been a resident of Elsmore. For three \ ears he had charge of the 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 467 

creamery business and then he embarked in the livery business which he 
conducted alone until the spring of 1900, when he sold a half interest in 
that enterprise to his father. Together they purchased Mr. Kenyon's 
livery stable which was added to their own enterprise and thus they are in 
control of an extensive livery establishment and a good business. Our 
subject started out in life empty-handed, his only capital being his earnest 
determination to succeed and by diligence and a resolute will he has steadi- 
ly advanced on the high road to success. He is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen of-Elsmore, and in his political atliliations he is 
a Republican. He has filleil the position of constable in his town for two 
years, making a creditable record as a public official. 



GEORGE D. HILDEBRANT— Among the farmers of Allen county 
who have responded to the spirit of development and shared in the 
improvement and settlement of lola township is George D. Hildebrant. 
He came west before Horace Greeley promulgated his famous advice to 
young men and the year 1S57 found him in Linn county, Kansas. He 
roamed about over the western piairies and mingled with the Red Man 
and the pioneers and familiarized himself with the customs and practices of 
the frontier. 

Mr. Hildebrant was born in Morris county, New Jersey, November 13, 
1835. He was a son of Jacob Hildebrant, born in Hunterdon county, that 
State, in i<So2 and who died at Paw Paw Grove, Illinois, in 1S87. He 
was one of a large family of children of Jacob Hildebrant, an .old German 
settler of East Jersey. The latter married Anna Slack. 

The mother of our subject was Clarissa Emmons. She died in 1S49 
and is buried at Mendham, New Jersey. In 1S50 our subject's father left 
New Jeisey and brought his family westward into DeKalb county, Illinois. 
His sons and daughters were: Jerome, who died and left a family in 
New Jersey; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Valentine Wirick; Henry, 
of Paw Paw Grove, Illinois; Emeliue, who married William Griffith, of 
Ottawa, Illinois, and Jacob, of Aurora, Illinois. 

George D. Hildebrant was reared and received a fair education about 
the town of Paw Paw Grove, Illinois. There was a vSeminary at that point 
then and he attended it as a climax to his career as a school- boy. He 
learned the trade of a carpenter by w-orking with others, and until he be- 
came deeply absorbed in farming, he made this his vocation. His final 
entry into Kansas was made in 187 1 when he stopped in L,inn county. In 
1874 he came over into Allen and invested his scant means in a quarter 
section of railroad land, in section 35, town 24, range 17. His improve- 
ment of it was at first exceedingly slow for he had no means save what his 
trade and a rented farm would furnish him. In 1876 he was enabled to 
move to his farm and to begin the cultivation of a small patch which he 
had fenced. With the lapse of years he has discharged all his early and 



46s HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

hurdeiisonie obligations, luis added to liis acreage largely and has reared 
!i large family and snrronndcd himself with the comforts of a well- 
ordered home. 

In i860 Mr. Hildebrant was married in Illinois to .Mariettta Firkins, a 
daughter of Asahel and Harriet Firkins. The children of this union are: 
James A. Hildebrant, who married Eliz Kidney; lUla, deceased, 
married H. E. Billbee and left a family of six children; William Hilde- 
brant, with the Santa l^e Railwaj' Company at Independence, is married 
to Sadie Kidney; Jacob A. Hildebrant, with the Santa Fe Company at El 
Paso, Texas, is married to Minnie Reed; Charles Hildebrant, a Santa Fe 
man at Independence, Kansas; Clyde Hildebrant, with the Lanyon Zinc 
Comjvany at lola, is married to Myrtle Pinnegei, Barney E., Garfield, Jesse 
and Clarissa Hildebrant, residing on the homestead. 

In political action Mr. Hildebrant and his sons are Republicans. In 
the way of establishing his claim to such political brotherhood he cites the 
casting of his first ballot for the party's first presidential candidate, John C. 
Fremont. He had just returned to Illinois from his first Kansas trip in 
i860 when the quadrangular campaign of that year was being fought and 
he voted for Lincoln. In all he has cast a dozen ballots for Republican 
candidates for President and has lost only three of the twelve. In religious 
matters Mr. Hildebrant is allied with the Methodists. He holds his 
membership with the congregation in Piqua and renders it his conscientious 
support. 



ALFRED. CUNNINGHAM, who for thirty years has been a resident 
of Allen county, was born in Moultrie county, Illinois, in 1836. 
His father, Hiram Cunningham, was born in Virginia, and was reared 
upon the farm. In early manhood he removed to Kentucky, but after two 
years became a resident of Moultrie county, Illinois, where he soon after- 
ward married Miss Amantia Wood. Her people were from Kentucky and 
were representatives of one of the old families of South Carolina. Hiram 
Cunningham served in the Black Hawk war under Captain Alfred Hawes. 
He made farming his life work and died-in Illinois, at the age of fifty-five 
years. His wife, long surviving him, departed this life at her home in 
Moultrie county in 1896. They were parents of the following named: Owen, 
who died on the home farm in Illinois, leaving a wife and one child: 
Crawford, who died in Iowa; Samuel and Newton, who reside in Illinois; 
Jasper, who was a twin brother of Newton and died in infancy; Columbus, 
whose place of lesidence is unknown, and Alfred, our subject. 

When Mr. Cunningham was only two years old his parents removed 
with their family to Macon county, Illinois, but when he was fifteen years 
of age returned to Moultrie county, Illinois. His educational privileges 
were such as the subscription schools afforded (for there were no public 
schools in that part of Illinois) at the time. He was reared to farm labor. 



"WOODSON COXTN'TIES, KANSAS. ^6$ 

early iDecoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. 
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journe\ he chose Miss Armilda 
Swimra, who was driven from Kentucky by Morgan's men during the 
Civil war. They were married in Saybrook, McLean county, Illinois in 
April, 1866. Her father, Robert Swimm, was born in Fleming county, 
Kentucky, in 18 12, and was a son of Hiram Swimm, a Maryland farmer 
who was killed while serving his country in the war of 1812. His children 
were Michael, John, Taylor, Ace, Robert and Barbara, who became the 
wife of Dan Hamm. All are now deceased. Robert Swimm inarried 
Sarah Riggs, and Mrs. Cunningham was the eldest daughter of their si.x 
children. Ambrose, the eldest son, died of consumption; Matthew is still 
living in Fleming county, Kentucky; Eliza A., is the wife of Robert 
^'anosdell, of Ottawa, Kansas; Margaret is the wife of Judas Bandro, of 
Purcell, Indian Territory, and Samuel M., who died at the age of twenty- 
five. The father of this family departed this life in Fleming county, Ken- 
tucky, in 1848, but the mother is still living, making her home with her 
•daughter Margaret in the Indian Territory. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham 
had three children, but L,ela, who was born March 8, 1882, is the 
onl}' one now living. The sons, Corlus B. and Ora D., died when four 
years of age. 

Mr. Cunningham came with his family to Kansas in 1870, arriving in 
Hixmboldt on the gth of October. He was then thirty-six years of age, 
strong and vigorous, with a realization that life was not all sunshine, and 
willing to bear- his share of hardships if he could ultimately secure a good 
home for liimslf and family. Grasshoppers, fire and pestilence have injured 
his income and taught him patience and endurance. In the spring after 
his arrival he rented a small farm of Mr. Smith of Salem township, and 
there lived for two 3'ears, after which he took up his abode on the farm 
which he yet owns. He purchased the property' in 187 1, and with charac- 
teristic energy began its development the following year, breaking about 
five acres of land where his house stands and laying the foundation for the 
building. He also planted a small orchard. In 1871 he purchased about 
sixty head of cattle, but soon afterward had his hay supplj' destroyed by 
a fire which started near Big Creek, and burned its waj^ up into Anderson 
county. At the end of the third day the wind changed and the fire was 
thus driven back in a northeasternly course along the track west of that 
over which it had first swept. It traveled at a fearful rate and nothing 
could withstand its fury. Mr. Cunningham onlv escaped by running with 
the fire and jumping into the creek. He hurried on to his home, where 
his wife lay ill. In the vvoodyard was a small bare spot around the wood 
pile and there he carried Mrs. Cunningham on a feather bed, lajnng her on 
the wood and thus escaping the fury of the fire. 

Malaria was prevalent in those early days and Mrs. Cunningham was 
forced in the fall of 1862 to return to Illinois to recover her health. Her 
husband remained in Kansas, built a new home for them and received her 
again the following spring. Though he was met with difficulties, Mr. 
Cunningham has persevered and prosperity has now rewarded his labors. 



4fO HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

Aside from farming he has been very successful in the raising of hogs and 
has thus added materially to his income. He is now one of the prosperous- 
residents of his fommunity. 

Since 1874 Mr. Cunningham and his wife have been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and are active in its work. Their well spent 
lives ha\-e gained them high regard and they now enjoy the esteem and 
frieiwlship of a wide acquaintance. 



ALFRICD W. JORDAN — In the history of a man who has devoted his 
entire life to business, there is little to awaken the interest of the 
reader in ^earch of a sensational chapter, but Carlyle has said that "biogra- 
phy is the mjst profitable of all reading," for therein are set forth the 
methods which have been followed to win succsss or which have lead ta 
failure. The careful student may therefore learn valuable lessons from such 
a career as Mr. Jordan's for he is one who has worked his way upward, 
eanquering all obstacles and advancing steadily on the highway of prosperi- 
ty by means of determined purpose and ceaseless energy. 

Born in Jasper county, Missouri, June 4, 1850, Mr. Jordan is the 
second child of Gustavus and Elizabeth (Clay) Jordan. His father was a 
native of Virginia and at the age of fifteen left that state, removing with his- 
parents to Kentucky where he spent the succeeding twenty years of his life. 
During that period he was married to Miss Clay, a native of the Blue 
Gra.ss State. When twenty years had passed he returned to Virginia, later 
took up his alx)de in Tennessee, thence went to .Arkansas and later t') 
Jasper county, Missouri. The year 1863 witnessed his arrival in Kansas, 
He fiist settled on the banks of the Osage river in Anderson county, and in 
1866 came to Allen county, locating on Big creek, where he spent his re- 
maining days, his death occurring in 1875, when he was seventy-six years 
of age. His wife passed away in 1877, at the age of forty-five years. Of 
theii eight children five are still living: Mary, wife of D. R. Chajipel, of 
Neosho county; A. W., of this review; Amanda, wife of Thomas Edwards, 
of Neosho county ; Julia, wife of William Evans of the same county; and 
George, also of Neosho county. 

Mr. Jordan of this sketch came with his parents to the Sunflower State 
in 1863, and to Allen county in 1S66 and in the common schools acquired 
his education. He assisted his father uinil attaining his majority and then 
began forming on his own account. That he has labored untiringly and 
guided his labors by sound judgment is indicated by the fact that he is now 
the owner of three hundred and eight acres of valuable land, constituting 
one of the finest stock farms in Kansas. It is well improved with a fine 
residence, a commodious and substantial barn and all necessary outbuild- 
ings and a beautiful grove surrounds his home. His feed lots adjoin a large 
body of fine timber and there is plenty of running water upon the place. 
Each winter he feeds cattle and hogs in large numbers and these he ships 



Tv'OOCSO'N COCNTrES, ICAXSAS. 47t 

io market in Kansas City. He raises grain in considerable qtia:n'tities and 
iihis he feeds to his stock and also bu\-s large quantities from his neighbdrs-, 
ithus furnishing a market for the corn raised in this locality. 

On the 29th of April, iSSo, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss 
■Clara Kerr, a native of Indiana, who came with her parents 'to Kansas in 
1S79. They now have six children, namely : Rettie, Una, Anna, Dailey, 
Pearl and John. In the community they have many warm friends, being 
highly esteemed for their sterling worth. In his political views Mr. 
Jordan is a staunch Republican and always supports that party by his ballot 
although he has never sought office, preferring to give his attention to his 
business affairs in which he has met with signal success. His life has ever 
been upright and his name is synonymous with honorable dealing, his word 
being as good as his bond. Diligence and enterprise have rendered his life 
■of much avail in the business world and his handsome propert}' stands as a 
monument to his earnest effort. 



rOHN T. WOOD, the proprietor of the lola Horse and Mule Market, was 
''-' born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 13th of May, 1865. His father 
became a resident of that county in 1845, and taught the first school within 
its borders. For some years he was identified with educational interests 
there and also was prominent in public affairs. He held some county 
offices, and- was widely and favorably known throughout Edgar county. 
In his business affairs he prospered and having gained a comfortable com- 
petence was well able to start his son in business, but possessing a com- 
mendable spirit of self-reliance, John T. Wood resolved to make his own 
way and show to the world that a young man could gain success without 
assistance. In the family were three sons, of whom our subject is the 
middle. The first owns and operates a stock ranch in Reno county, Kan- 
sas, and the younger brother, Walter Wood, has a farm in Allen county. 
The brothers are all men of sound business sagacity and great traders. 

In the common schools John T. Wood acquired his education and vi-as 
early trained to habits of industry upon his father's farm. It was therefore 
with a practical experience of agricultural labors that he came to Kansas, 
but with no capital. He arrived in the state in 1887 and entered upon his 
business career here by working for fifty cents a day. He afterward at- 
tended the Normal Institute and obtained a teacher's certificate. For nine 
years he performed the labors of the school room and was regarded as a 
very capable educator, but the natural tendency of the family began to 
strongly assert itself and abandoning the teacher's profession he took up 
his abode upon a farm, raising, buying and shipping stock. He is an ex- 
cellent judge of stock and his efforts in this direction have been attained 
with prosperity. From time to time he has made judicious investments in 
real estate until his landed possessions now aggregate five hundred and 
thirty acres in Elm township, constituting a well improved farm. 



472' HrsTOKV OF AI.I.EN AN'D 

In December, iSiji, Mr Wood was iniiled in marriage to Xfiss Blaiichf 
Allen, a native of Michigan, who in iS8o, accompanied her parents oi» 
their removal from Chicago to the Sunflower state. Mr. and Mrs. Wood 
now have two children: Roscoe and Edna, aged respectively seven and 
six years. As e^•ery true American citizen should do Mr. Wood keeps 
well informed on the political issues of the day, and believing that the 
platform of the Repnblican party contains the best elements of good govern- 
ment, he gives to it a loyal support. He has held the office of trustee iu 
Elm township, but seeks not public office, preferring to devote his ener- 
gies to his business affairs. He has always depended npon his own 
resources and his life record illustrates most forcibly what can be accom- 
plished through determined purpose and indefatigable energy, when guided 
by practical business sense. 



PETER C. JACOBSON rs one of the worthy residents of Allen county 
that Denmark has furni.shed to the Sunflower state. Of Danish birth 
his natal day was August 26, 1S36. His parents, Peter J. and Cory Jacob- 
son, were also natives of Denmark, the formei born in 1801, and the latter 
in 179S. They spent their entire lives in the land of their birth and are 
HOW deceased. 

Until twenty-five years ot age Peter C. Jacobson remained in Den- 
mark, and then, in 1S61, came to America, kx:ating first in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade. He afterward 
followed that pursuit in Maiiison, Wisconsin, until the i6th of April, 1S62, 
when he joined the Union army as a private of Company A, Twenty third 
Wisconsin Infantry. With that command he served for three years and 
two months and participated in many of the most hotly contested engage- 
ments of the war, including the battles of Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, 
Grand Gulf, Black River Bridge, Champion Hills, Jackson and the siege 
of Vicksburg, which resulted in the capture of that city after forty-three 
days of siege. He was also in the battles of Port Gibson, Sabine Cross 
Roads, Appaloosa, Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort, Mobile and many other 
engagements ot lesser importance. After three years of service he was 
mustered out at Mobile, having been one of the loyal defenders of his 
adopted land. He was only slightly wounded, his injuries never keeping 
him away from the field of duty. 

On receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Jacobion returned to Madi- 
son, Wisconsin, but soon afterward located in Green Bay, that state, where 
he resided for seven years. During that period he was married to Mary 
Jen.son, a native of Denmaik, and they have five children: Charles C, at 
home; Sarah A., wife of Charles E. Foster; Benjamin F. , a resident of Can- 
ton, Illinois; Marion W. and Ida M., both at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Jacobson removed to Helena, Arkansas, where 
he remained for three years, working at his trade. In 1S73 he came to 



WOOUSON COUNTIEi), KANSAS. 473 

Kansas, locating first at Osage Mission, where he followed farming until 
1874. That year witnessed his arrival in Allen county, and after three 
years spent on a farm jvest of Savonburg he removed to the farm which is 
now his home and on which he has er3Cted a good residence. He has also 
made other substantial improvements. During President Cleveland's ad- 
ministration he received an appointment to the -position of railway postal 
clerk and served in 1S97 ^"<^1 iSgS on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
K.iilroad and on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railwa\'. Since that time 
he has continuously and successfully engaged in farming. In America he 
has found the opportunity he sought of advancing to a position of affluence, ' 
and as the result of his own efforts he now has a comfortable property. He 
belongs to the Grand Army Post at Elsmore and in his political affiliations 
is a Populist. 



T~\R. JOHN COURTNEY has been engaged in the practice of medicine 
-' — ' in Allen county for twenty-two years. Tlie world has little use for 
the misanthrope. The universal truth of brotherhood is widely recognized, 
also that he serves God best who serves his fellowmen. There is no pro- 
fession or line of business that calls for greater self-sacrifice or more devoted 
attention than the medical profession, and the successful phy.sician is he 
who through love of his fellowmen gives his time and attention to the re- 
lief of human suffering. Dr. Courtney is one of the ablest representatives 
of this noble calling in his adopted county. 

A native of Kentucky he was born in Pendleton county, January 30, 
1836, and is of Irish lineage. Thomas Courtney, his grandfather, was a 
native of Ireland, and when a young man crossed the Atlantic, becoming a 
resident of Pennsylvania. By trade he was both a glove-maker and 
tailor. Michael Courtney, the father of the Doctor, was born Penn- 
sylvania, in 1794. and married Leanna McMnrray, who was of Scotch 
parentage. They became the parents of seven sons and three daughters, 
and four of the .sons served their country in the Union army, one 
laying down his life on the altar of freedom, while the others returned 
to their homes. One of these, Thomas, is now living in Indiana, while 
Marcellas is a resident of Arkansas. About 1850 the family removed to 
Indiana where the father of our subject died in 1875, at tiie ripe age of 
eighty-one years. 

Dr. Courtney was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied his 
parents to the Hoosier state, acquiring his education in the common 
schools there and in the high schools at Leavenworth and Huntingburg, 
Indiana. From the former he was graduated, and after completing Iiis 
studies he engaged in teaching until the Civil war, when he enlisted as 
a private in Company K, First Indiana Cavalry. After remaining twenty 
months with that command he received a commission as second lieutenant 
in Company E, Forty-fourth United States Colored Infantry, with which 



74 HISTORY OF AI.I.EN' AND 

he served for seven inDUths, when, the war having endi.-d, he received an 
honorable discharge. He was in several skirmishes and battles, and at the 
en.a;agenient at Peach Orchard had his horse shot from nnder him. 

After the war Dr. Courtney took up the study of medicine under the 
direction of Dr. Vanduron, of English, Crawford county, Indiana, and in 
1S65 he located for practice in Newton-Steward, that state, where he re- 
mained for ten years. On the expiration of that period he went to Ma- 
coupin county, Illinois, where he practiced three years, and in 187S he 
came to Kansas, locating in Cottage Grove townshij), on the present site of 
the town of Leanna, which was named in honor of his mother. He pur- 
chased forty acres of land, erected a good residence and has everything 
about his place in excellent condition, his home being surrounded by beau- 
tiful shade trees that stand guard over a well-kept lawn. From the time 
he located here up to the present, he has enjoyed a large and important 
{)ractice. Thirtj'-six years experience have given him a high degree of 
skill and he holds enviable prestige in the ranks of the medical fraternity 
in Allen county. 

The Doctor was married September 24, 1865, to Miss M irtha Jane 
Foster of Tennessee. She was born in Jackson, that state, a daughter of 
William P. and Charlotte Foster, who removed to Indiana at the time of 
the Civil war, for they entertained strong sympathy for the Union cause 
and it was therefore unsafe for them to remain in the south. Mr. Foster 
died in i88t, at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife passed away in 
1894, at the age of eighty-seven. Of their twelve children only four are 
now living, namely: Mrs. Courtney; Elizabeth, wife of J. A. Kellans; 
Mary, wife of Hiram Langford, and Welcome Foster, all of Newton-Stew- 
ard. Indiana. Unto the Doctor and Mrs. Courtney have been born four 
children, three of whom survive, as follows: U. R., a teacher of Savon- 
burg, Kansas; O. D. , who is cashier of the State Bank of Savonburg, and 
A. Dieskau, a student in the normal school at Emporia. The family is one 
of prominence in the community, the sterling worth of its lepresentatives 
gaining them the warm regard of many friends. In politics the Doctor is 
an unwavering Republican, believing fully in expansion and the protection 
of the American flag for which he fought on soutliern b.Utle-fields, and 
which he is proud to know now floats over some of the islands of the sea 
as a symbol of protection and humanity. 



THOMAS HOGAN was born in Grant county. Wisconsin, December 
27, 1S52, and now resides in Cottage Grove township, Allen county, 
being numbered among the successful farmers and early settlers of Kansas. 
His father, John Hogan, was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, and with 
his parents came to America, the family locating in Illinois near Ottawa. 
After his first marriage he removed to Wisconsin, where his wife died, and 
in the Badger state he wedded Margaret Marshall, a native of Canada, our 



WOODSUN COUNTIES, KANSAS. 475 

subject being a son of the second marriage. The father was a farmer by 
occupation and after his removal from Wisconsin followed that pursuit in 
Douglas county, Kansas, from 1857 until the time of his removal to Leaven- 
worth county, this state, where he spent his last days, dying in 1878, at 
the age of seventy-six years. His wife passed away in 1864, at the age 
of forty-eight years. They had five children: Thomas P.; Catherine, 
wife of James Doyle; James T. , and Carrie, wife of Thomas Hiland. 

When only four years of age Thomas Hogan of this review was 
brought to Kansas by his parents and was reared to manhood in Douglas 
and Leavenworth counties, acquiring his education in the common schools. 
In 1874 he started out to make his own way in the world, journeying west- 
ward to California, where he worked for a time upon a farm, but wishing 
to see more of the country he visited Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Wyom- 
ing, whence he went to Colorado, where he worked in a mine for .some 
time. Believing that he could meet with better success in the Sunflower 
state he therefore returned to Kansas, where he has since made his home. 
In 1879 he married Miss Margaret Hiland, and to them have been born 
seven children, as follows: Thomas F. , Anna C, Lizzie May, Catherine, 
James T. , Charles L. and Nellie Laura. 

In 1894 Mr. Hogan came to. Allen county and purchased a farm of one 
hundred and si.xty acres in East Cottage Grove township, seven miles 
southeast of Humboldt, where he now has a highly improved tract of land. 
The home is surrounded by fine forest trees and his fields are under a high 
state of cultivation, yielding to him good crops which materially enhance 
his income. He does not belong to that class of farmers who are continu- 
ally talking about hard times, but has faith in the power of honest labor in 
bringing success to the individual. Industry has been the strong element 
in his own prosperity and while he has worked hard to attain success he is 
now in possession of a good home, a fine farm and a desirable income. He 
has never taken any very active part in politics, usually supporting the 
Democracy, but believing that the country is now in a prosperous condition 
he does not desire any change in the political administration. 



TOSKPH THUNEY is of French birth, but has been a resident of Amer- 
*-* ica from the age of seven years, and is in full sympathy with the insti- 
tutions of this country-. He was born in Loraine, France, on the i8th of 
March, 1S38, his parents being John B. and Anna (Ferry) Thuney, of 
French nativity. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1845, 
taking up their residence in Brown county, Ohio, upon the farm which the 
lather made his home throughout his remaining days. He died in 1S86, 
at the age of seventy-eight, and his wife passed away in 1894, when she 
had reached the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten. They had 
six children, of whom five are now living, namely: August and Julian, 
who are residents of Brown county, Ohio; Joseph; Adeline, wife of Victor 



476 niSTOKV OF ALLIEN AND 

Petard; ami Charles aiul Josephene, who make their home in Brown 
count}-, Ohio. 

Joseph Thuney was the third in order of birth. He was reared on the 
home farm, receiving the advantages of a common school education. At 
the age of seventeen he became an apprentice at the carpenter's trade. 
After completing his term of service he was employed as a journeyman for 
a number of years, and being a gf)od workman was always able to secure a 
situation. When he had accumulated about sixteen hundred dollars he 
decided to marry, and on the i6th of April. 1869, was joined in wedlock to 
Mi.ss Mary A. Miller, one of tlie accomplished young ladies of Brown 
county, Ohio. Her parents were Jacob and Matilda (Schler) Miller. Her 
father was a native of Germany, and during his boyhood came to the 
United States where he met and married Miss Schler, who was born in 
I^eniisylvania. They had seven children, of whom six are living, all be- 
ing residents of Brown county, Ohio, with the exception of Mrs. Thuney. 
These are Josephine, wife of Benjamin Farris; Frank; Henry: Susan, and 
Matilda, wife of John Evans. 

After his marriage Mr. Thuney continued to work at the carpenter's 
trade until 1S80, when he resolved to turn his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits and believing that he could find better opportunities in the west where 
land was cheap he came with his family to Kansas in 1S80 and purchased 
a tract of one hundred and forty- three acres in Cottage Grove township, five 
miles southeast of Humboldt He has since resided thereon and has made 
it one of the finest farms in his section of the county, everything being kept 
in good condition. His knowledge of carpentering has enabled him not 
only to erect a pleasant residence and one of the best barns in the county, 
but also to keep everything in good repair, and now in their attractive 
home, he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their toil, for she has been 
to him an able assistant. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thuney are the parents of three sons and four daughters, 
namely: Frank F)., who is now in the United States civil service, being 
stationed in the custom house at Burlington, \'ermont, and having worked 
his way steadily upward so that at the present time only one outranks him; 
Matilda, wife of George Reynolds, of Salem township; John and Louisa, at 
home; Edward and Belle, twins; and Stella, who completes the family 
circle. Mr. Thuney is a Democrat in his jjolitical faith, and for a number 
of years has served as township treasurer, his long continued serving in- 
dicating the capable manner in which he is now discharging his duties. 
He is a man of genial manner and kindly disposition and is a popular 
citizen of the communitv in which he makes his home. 



JOHN RAISH has been a resident of Allen county for twenty-one years 
" and may therefore be said to have attained his majority as a citizen of 
this locality. He is widely known as one of the prosperous and reliable 



•WOODSON COUNTrES, KANSAS. 477 

'Citizens of Salem townshii). He was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania. 
March 5, 1840, and is a son of Michael and Tracy (Sromanger) Raish, 
both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 
1839, and from Pennsylvania removed to Quincy, Illinois, wheve for a 
number of years he occupied a position as salesman in a large store. He 
■died in 1859, at the age of forty-seven, and his wife, long surviving him, 
passed away at the age of seventy-five. The}' were the parents of nine 
children, five of whom reside in Quincy, Illinois. 

John Raish spent the greatei part of his youth in Quincy and was 
educated in the schools of that city. On putting aside his text books he 
learned the tinner's trade, which he followed until his removal to Kansas, 
arriving in Allen count}' on the 22nd of November, 1879. Here he pur- 
chased two hundred and forty acres of raw prairie land, with money saved 
from his earnings in the tin shop. His place is pleasantly and conven- 
iently located in Salem township, five miles east of Humboldt and is one 
•of the most desirable farms in that part of the county. All modern acces- 
sories and conveniences have been supplied, including a good residence, a 
large barn, fine shade trees and an excellent orchard. 

The lady who has for a number of years been to him a faithful com- 
panion and helpmate on life's journey was, prior to their marriage Miss 
Johanna Wacklin. She was born in Germany and when fourteen years of 
age came to the new world with her parents, Daniel and Minnie (Kornut) 
Wacklin. The marriage of our subject and his wife was blessed with five 
children, but only one has been spared to them, Daniel A., who is married 
and resides on a farm near the old homestead. 

In his political views Mr. Raish is a Democrat, who keeps infofraed on 
the i.ssues of the da)- and takes an active part in politics. He is now serv- 
ing as- a member of the county central committee and does all in his power 
to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. His business 
career has been one marked by unfaltering purpose, guided by sound judg- 
ment, and his record stands in exemplification of what may be accom- 
plished in a country where opportunity is open to all. 



T D. MENDENHAFT is the owner of one of the best farms in Cottage 
-' — '• Grove township. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of 
splendid land pleasantly located six miles southeast of Humboldt. His 
residence is surrounded b}' large forest trees which throw their grateful 
shade on the house and lawn. The soil is rich and productive, and he 
never fails to raise a crop, annually securing good harvests of wheat, corn, 
oats and flax. 

Mr. Mendenhaft was born in Columbia, county, Pennsylvania, on the 
17th of October, 1827. His father, Eli Mendenhaft, was also a native of 
that county, there spent his entire life, and when death claimed him his 
remains were interred in one of its cemeteries. He passed away in 18S8 at 



478 HISTORY OF AhLF.l^ AST' 

the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maideip 
name of Elizabeth Davis, was also a native of the Keystone State, an.1 died- 
in 1.S74, at the age of seventy-nine years, seven months and tnirteen days. 
They had four children: Carlton, now of Brooklyn, Xew Vork; Arminta M. 
and Klizaljeth, both of Pennsylvania and L. D., of this review. 

Mr. Mendeiihaft, whose name forms the caption of this article, was the 
eldest. In his youth he became familiar with the milling trade, mastering 
the Ini.siness in all its departments, and he also learned the tanner's trade, 
which he followed for some years. He was married to Miss Sarah J. Lemon, 
of Rhor.sburg, Pennsylvania, January i, 1S57 and for some years they re- 
sided in New York city during the period of the Civil war, he having charge 
of a large rice mill there, cleaning rice for the United States army. He 
then returned to Pennsylvania, and was made manager of the extensive 
mills of A. Pardee & Company, continuing their operation for nine years. 
On the expiration of that period he removed to Si.)Uth Bend, Indiana, where 
he engaged in milling for two years, and traveling foi years, his attention 
being given to the dressing of millstones. In 1S80 he removed with his 
family to Humboldt, Kansas, and tiring of the milling business, which he 
had so long followed, he purchased a farm in Cottage Grove township. He 
had had no experience as an agrfculturist, but he soon mastered farm work 
and is today one of the most successful and enterprising representatives of 
farming interests in Allen county. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhaft have been born two children: Ario, 
C. M., is now living at Chanute, Kansas; IJstella, became the wife of 
Edward Rush (who was killed in a balloon ascension at Grenola, Kansas, 
October 8, 1898), and has since married Burt Lackey, of Grand Rapids, 
Michigan. Mr. Mendenhaft is in politics a Republican, and has labored 
earnestly to elect his friends, but has never sought official preferment for 
himself. He is now seventy-three years of age, but pos.-esses the vigor and 
energy of a much younger man and is still concerned with the active affairs 
of business life. 



A N'DRKW P. WISBORG— Perhaps more failures in business life 
-^^*- occur from a lack of persistency of purpose than from any other 
cause. It is this which renders effort futile and labor unavailing, but Mr. 
Wisborg is one who has followed a given task, having always devoted his 
energies to farming, and thereby he has won success. 

One of Allen county's native sons, he was born March 26, 1S61, on the 
farm which is now his home,- and is the only child of N. P. Wisborg. His 
father was widely and favorably known in Allen and Neosho counties. 
Born in Denmark, he came to America in 1S58 and settled in Allen countv, 
twenty miles southeast of lola on Big creek, where he purchased two hun- 
dred and seventy-two acres of land. There he successfully followed farm- 
ing for many years. His military experience covered three years' .service 



"WOODSOX COrXTIES, KANSAS. .$7§ 

Sn the armj' of his native land and three years in the Union army as a mc-ni- 
h)er of Company G, Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry. He participated in all of 
the engagements in which his regiment took part and was ever found at his 
post of duty, loyally defending the starry banner of the Nation. -At one 
time he ser\-ed as trustee of Cottage Grove and was also postmaster of 
Odense. He married Anna Hill, a nativ-e of Denmark, and died in 1897, 
at the age of sixty-sevan years. His widow is a resident of Savonburg. 
He was a man of sterling worth, most highly respected, and the community 
mourned the loss of one of its valued citizeas when he was called from this 
life. In all life's relations he was upright and honorable and his example 
is in many respects well worthy of emulation. 

Andrew P. Wisborg remained at home until his father's death with the 
exception of a very brief period. He attended the common schools 
and early became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot 
of the agriculturalist. He was married on the 7th of October, 
1886, to Miss Anna Erickson, who was born in Illinois and came 
to Kansas with her parents. She died in October, 1889. leaving two chil- 
dren, Mary and Anna. On the 2nd of October, 1895, ^r. Wisborg was 
again married. Miss Mattie Roberts becoming his wife. She was born in 
Xeosho county and the marriage was therefore of a native son and daugh- 
ter of Kansas. Her father, William Roberts, was born in Illinois and came 
to this State in 1870. locating in Neosho county. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Nancy Hinshaw and was a native of Virginia. They were the 
parents of nine childien, eight of whom are living, namely; Mattie, Etta, 
judson, Walter, Ella, Andy, Mamie and Morton. 

Mr. Wisborg is now extensively and successfully engaged in farming. 
He has two hundred and seventy -two acres of land, well adapted to stock- 
raising purposes, for there is much water and timber upon the place. A 
large barn and other outbuildings also furnish shelter to the stock and that 
branch of his business is quite profitable. His home is a pleasant residence 
on the bank of Big creek. 

Mr. Wisborg was elected constable of his township and served for 
one term. 



r USTIN O. HOTTENSTEIN— While gratitude is a characteristic of the 
^ human race — and it ever will be — the American people will never fail 
to hold in grateful remembrance those brave and loyal soldiers who fought 
for the preservation of the Union and aided in pre.serving intact the greatest 
republic on the face of the globe. Among the boys in blue Mr. Hottenstein 
was numbered, and in days of peace as well as in days of war he has ever 
been found as a faithful citizen. 

He was born in Cook county, Illinois, March 11, 1837, and is a son of 
Philip vS. and Elizabeth (Burns) Hotten.st2iu, the former a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and the latter of Canada. The mother was driven from her home 



4:.So HISTORY OK ALLfrX AXf' 

by the British when she was only four years of age, during th^ battle d£ 
Lake Erie. The parents of our subject were married in Michigan and unto- 
them were born six children, but the only survivor of the family is Justin 
O. (Colonel J. A. Hottenstein, now deceased, was a brother of our subject.)' 
The father, who was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, died in 1S42. and 
the mother, whose birth occurred in iSog, passed away February 7, iSSi. 
at the age of seventy two years. 

When only eighteen months old Mr. Hottenstein, the subject of this- 
sketch, was taken by his parents to Indiana, but after five years spent in 
that State the farailv returned to Illinois, where he remained until the in- 
auguration of the Civil war. In the meantime Mr. Hottenstein had ac- 
quired a connuon school education and had become familiar with the work 
of the farm. He watched with interest the progress of events in the South, 
and resolvod that if an attempt at secession was made, he would strike a 
blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly on the 21st of April, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company G, Twentieth Illinois infantry, was made sergeant and 
was afterward. April, 1S63, promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He 
served until 1S64. and was then honorably discharged, on account of disa- 
bility, from wounds received in battle. Among the most important engage- 
ments in which he participated were those at Fredericktown and Charleston, 
-Missouri, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Britan's Lane, 
(at which latter p'.ace five hundred Union soldiers fought eight thousand 
Gonfederatrs) and Fort Gibson. He was under fire for twenty-one days, 
including the battle of Bayou Prairie and the battle ol Raymond. May 12, 
1S63, at the last named he sustained a gun shot wound, the bullet piercing 
his lung and coming out under his left shoulder. He lay for days (was 
picked up after two da\-s aud bunched with the wounded) without medical 
aid among the dead aud wounded, but was ultimately given medical atten-. 
tion. He was taken prisoner May 24th and escaped July 9th and went to 
Vicksburg. He furloughed home for recuperation but as soon as he was 
able rejoined his regiment and participated in the fight at Kennesaw Moun- 
tain, June 23, 1S64. His wound incapacitated him for further duty, and on 
the 25th ot June. 1S64, he was honorably discharged from the ser\-ice. 
During much of the time that he held the rank of sergeant he was in com- 
mand of his company and his own personal bravery inspired his comrades 
to many deeds of valor. 

Mr. Hottenstein was married while home on his furlough, ou the 6th 
of April, 1864, to Miss Lois M. Smith. She is a native of Ohio, and a 
daughter of Ira W. and Lois (Beckwith) Smith, both of whom were born 
in iSio. The father was a native of Vermont. Mi. and Mrs. Smith had 
five children, Mrs. Hottenstein being the fourth in order of binh. By the 
latter's marriage she has become the mother of si.K children, namely: Mrs. 
Addie B. Maxwell, of Kans;is: Mr^. Nellie Payu, of Illinois; Mrs. Ida E. 
Crawford, of Ohio: Russell W. , Fred J, and Archie P., at home. 

In 1S67 Mr. Hottenstein came to Kansas where he secured a home- 
stead of eighty acres five miles east of Humboldt. He has since resided 
upon his farm but has extended its boundaries until it uow comprises four 



WOODSOX COUNTIES. KANSAS. 481 

lunidred acres, constituting one of the valuable and attractive country seats 
in Salem township. Everything is arranged for comfort and convenience. 
There is a good residence, a large barn and other substantial outbuildings. 
He raises much stock and is numbered among the prosperous farmers of 
the State. He has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood since 
lie was fourteen years of age, and therefore deserves great credit for his suc- 
cess. In his social relations he is a Mason, while politically he is a Demo- 
crat. His attention, however, has been chiefly given to his farm, which is 
a monument to his enterprise, diligence and capable management, 



I 



^ AT" ILLIAM D. JEWELL.— For thirty years Mr. Jewell has been a 
^ " resident of Allen county and in the active pursuits of business has 
gained a competence that now classes him among the substantial citizens in 
this portion of the state. He was born in Allegany county. New York, 
July 7, 1S31, and is a son of Sias and Charlotte (Davis) Jewell, the former 
born at Scipio, Xew York, was a weaver by trade, following that vocation 
during the peiiod of his residence in the Empire state. He wedded Miss 
Davis, a native of Massachusetts, and iu 1833 they removed to Michigan, 
where Mrs. Jewell's death occurred a short time after tlieir arrival. Mr. 
Jewell purchased land in Michigan and engaged in farming for a number 
of years, and afterward resumed work at his trade. He was again married 
and was the father of five children; two by the first union and three by the 
second. Mary Jane, an own sister of our subject, is now the wife of Syl- 
vester Wood, a resident of St. Joseph county, Michigan. The father of 
our subject died in that state in 1S65, at the age of eighty-three years. 

William D. Jewell was only two years old when his parents removed 
to Michigan, where he was reared upon the liome farm amid the wild 
scenes of frontier life. He attended the common schools, which, however, 
were of a rather primitive character, owing to the unsettled condition of the 
county, ill which the Indians outnumbered the white population five to 
one. Through association with the red men our subject learned to speak 
their language as well as he could the English tongue. At the age of 
thirteen he began an apprenticeship as an engineer, and for several years 
was employed as an engineer in a large distillery. He afterward secured a 
similar situation in a sawmill, where four hundred men were employed, 
and served as engineer in connection with that enterprise until his removal 
to Kan.sas in 1870. Here he located in the southwest corner cf Salem 
township, where he has since made his home, his farm being pleasantly 
located five miles southeast of Humboldt. He secured a homestead of 
eighty acre's, and added to his property from time to time until he now 
owns one hundred and eighty-one acres of rich and arable land. The farm 
is divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences, and everything 
about it is characterized by neatness and order. He has an attractive resi- 
dence and beautiful shade trees surround his home. There is a good barn 



4^2 HISTORV OF ALLKN' AND 

;uk1 Other suhslaiitial outhiiildings and he has a small vineyard and a good 
oichard of six acres planted with fine varieties of apple trees. 

When he arrived in Kansas Mr. Jewell's cash capital consisted of four 
hundred and eighty dollars which he had saved from his earnings in Mich- 
igan. He had to pay a very high price for his team and when he had be- 
come settled for the winter his funds -.vere exhausted, but he was not 
discouraged with this condition and resolutely set to work to earn a liveli- 
hood for his family. As the years have passed his financial resources have 
increased, and to-day he occupies an enviable position among those who 
have reached a place of independence. 

In 1869 Mr. Jewell was united in marriage, in Michigan, to Seraph 
A. VVhitford. Her father, George Riley, was a native of New York and 
died in Kansas at the home of his daughter in February, 1900, at the age of 
eighty-two years. Mrs. Jewell's mother is living with her at the age of 
eightv-three years. She bore the maiden name of Hannah A. Dailey, and 
was a native of New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have been born .six 
children, all of whom are living, namely: John Leslie; Estelle, wife of 
William Grenane, of Neosho county Kansas; Wesley, at home; Nellie J., 
wife of Sedley Yount, of Allen county; Nettie and Iva, at home. 

Mr. Jewell is a public spirited and progressive citizen. He takes a 
deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the county. At the 
time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the government by enlist- 
ing in Company K, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, with which command he 
served two years and eleven months. He participated in the battle of 
Saline Cross Roads and in many smaller engagements and skirmishes, and 
when the war was ended rec-'iyed an honorable discharge, returning to his 
home with a creditable military record. That his fellow townsmen recog- 
nize in Mr. Jewell worth and ability, and that he is one of the popular citi- 
zens of Allen county is shown by the fact that at the convention held in' 
lola in June, 1900, he was unanimously nominated for Probate Judge by 
the People's convention without his knowledge or con.sent, but was defeated 
at the election. 



D WEBSTER HOSTWICK, of lola, has been one of the conspicuous 
• characters in the settlement and development of Allen county. To 
him is due in a great measure the credit for the actual work done in the 
location of a large per cent of the country population of the county and to 
his ingenuity as an immigration promoter is due the credit for the settle- 
ment of much of our eastern domain in Allen county. His name went 
from tongue to tongue through the east and his fame followed closely in its 
wake. No man who makes real estate his business in Allen county is as 
widely known as Web Bostwick and, in the olden time, no combination of 
dealers in the county possessed a wider or more universal confidence of the 
home.seeker from the east than Bowlus & Bostwick. 



WUUUSU>; CUfXTlKS, KANSAS 4S3 

Web Bostwick came to Allen county November ii, 1866, and the fol- 
lowing year located upon his brother's, H. C. Bostwick's, farm on Deer 
creek. Some three \ ears later William Davis came along from Colorado 
and offered him his price for the place and he moved down to the A'.iderson 
and Finley ranch (that now is). Wliat is now the Allendale Stock Farm 
was then an unbroken prairie and Web went onto it, broke a portion of it 
out, as any farmer would have done, began its improvement and in seven 
years sold it. This concluded his career as a farmer. He moved into lola 
at once and entered the real estate business with Bowlus & Richards. The 
railroad lands of the county were just coming onto the market then and 
this agency harrdled almost the entire holdings adjacent to lola. For eight 
years this firm remained intact and undisturbed in its enjoyment of a mam- 
moth and lucrative business. Investors poured into the county from all 
directions and speculators and settlers vied with each other in the acquire- 
ment of tracts suitable for farms, for ranches and for investment. Retirirrg 
fro;n this noted firm Mr. Bostwick joirred D. B. D. Sraeltzer in a loan and 
real estate business for some years and later was a partner with Judge H. 
W. Talcott in the same business. In 1895 he joined the well knowrr 
townsman, Xels Acers, with whom he is yet a leader in the matter of 
haadling city and country property. 

The selling of real estate in Allen county was, in itself, an easy and 
pleasant business but to do so in defiance of an element of our citizerrs 
whose edict had gone out against it and whose threats were upon the lips of 
all was an undertaking involving much hazard, with possible loss of life. 
From 1875 to t885 the settlers on the disputed lands in the east part of our 
county determined not to have any more of the land sold by the agents of 
the railroad companies, desiring tc have it entered as public domain and 
by persons whose interests would, from the start, be identical with their 
own. They even provided a penalty, or rather, suggested as a penalty for 
any agent violating this ukase, a bit of inch rope. It is stated that the rope 
was bought with which to square accounts with our subject but he never 
abandoned a trip nor lost a meal on account of it. 

D. W. Bostwick was born in Portage coiinty, Ohio, October 21, r840. 
His father, Daniel Bostwick, was a millwright, foundryman and manu- 
facturer of woolen goods. The latter was born in New York, went into 
Ohio early and settled in Portage county. From this latter place he 
located in Park county, Indiana, and was in busines"s there during, and for 
some time, after the war. He married Sophia Fondersmith, originally 
DeFondersmith, a Pennsylvania German lady. Late in life this venerable 
couple came to Allen county and passed their remaining years here. Mr. 
Bostwick died in 1876 at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife died in 
1881 aged seventy-nine years. Their children were: Clarerrtine, deceased, 
who married Lewis Hine; Dr. Henry C. Bostwick, of Tacoma, Washing- 
ton, surgeon of Ninth Kansas and now a Representative to the Wash- 
ington Legislature; Leveues E. was killed in the Civil war as Captain of 
Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Indiana Voluirteers, while in 
his seventeenth engagement; D. Webster; Maria, deceased, wife of An- 



484 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

drew Jackson Clark, of Tacoina, Washington; and Anifield S., deceased, 
who married Samuel Doren. 

D. W. Bostwick grew up at Rockville, Indiana. He enlisted in Com- 
pany G, One Hundred and Thirty-third Infantry and ser\-ed in the western 
department. He look part in the Chickaniauga and Nashville campaigns 
and, at the close of his service, was in the Independent sharpshooters. 

Mr. Bostwick was married in Allen county in lola. 1869, to Clemen- 
tine C. , a daugl'.ter of Dr. M. DeMoss, who was born and educated in 
Oxford, Ohio, and was one of the characters of lola for many years. His 
wife was Miss Margaret C. Kennedy who was born and principally raised 
in the city ot Washington. Their children were ten in number. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bost wick's children are: Hattie B. , a stenographer and 
type-writer in Tacoma, Washington: Misses Grace F. and Klla M.. teachers 
ill the lola city schools; Leveues H., a printer of lola, and Pearl M., wife of 
K. K. Donaldson, of Seattle, Washington. 

The early Bostwicks were Whigs and their posterity dropped naturally 
into the Repiiblicau party, following the issues of the war. 



LI':\VIS HEXRV WISHARD, principal of the 4th ward school of lola, 
and one of the promiinrut and capable educators of Kansas, is essen- 
tially a Kansan. He has passed all but ten years of his life in the State and 
all that he is and has is credited to his adopted State. 

Mr. Wishard was horn in Vermillion county, Indiana, February 3, 
1866, and is a son of a farmer and stock man of Butler county, Kau.sas, J. 
H. Wishaid, who was born in the same county in 1830. The latter is a 
son of James L. Wishard, a veteran of the War of 18 12. who went into 
Indiana about 1S29 and settled in Vermillion county. He enlisted 
in the army from Kentucky, in Colonel Johnson's regiment, an»i partici- 
pated in the battle of the Thames. He was a son of an Irishman who 
settled in Kentucky about the beginning of the 19th century and whose 
brother settled near Philadelphia. Some of the posterity of these 
early Wishards spell the name with a "t", but wherever they are 
and however the spelling of the name they descended from the same Celtic 
ancestors. 

James L. Wishard married a Lytle and reared seven children, two of 
whom left families: William, of Renssalaer, Indiana, and Archibald Wishard, 
whose family resides in Los Angeles, California. 

J. H. Wishard married Elizabeth Fassett, a daughter of David 
Fassett, of West Virginia, near Winchester. The children of this union 
are: James E. Wishard. of Burlington, Arkansas; Frank M. Wishard, ot 
Spencer, Iowa; Attie Wright, of Augusta, Kansas and Lewis H. Wishard, 
our subject. 

L. H. Wishard attended the country .schools of Butler county, Kansas, 
in his early youth and graduated in the Augusta city schools in 1S84. He 



■%VOODSON COUNTIES, KAls-SAS. -'4Si% 

5tauglit school a year and clerked in an Augusta store a year and tatight 
■still another year. In 1S87 he entered the Kansas State Normal 
School and finished the Elementary course in that institution in i88g. He 
became principal of the high school at Solomon City, Kansas, and occupied 
the position two \ ears when he was elected to the principalship of the city 
schools. He remained with the schools six years in that capacity 
and withdrew from school work, then, to perform his duties as 
vSecretary of the lola Manufacturing company. In iSgS he entered 
the lola schools as principal of the ist ward building and has con- 
cluded three years of successful school work in the city. He has instructed 
in County Institutes in Dickinson county and in Allen county: in the latter 
six years consecutively. 

December 24, 1891, Mr. Wish ard was married in lola to Anna M.,a 
daughter of the late Moses Pickell. Mrs. Wishard was born in \'alparaiso, 
Indiana, February 8, 1S6S, was educated in Ida, and was one of the capable 
teachers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Wishard's daughter. Marj- E. , vvas 
born March 19, 1899. 

Mr. Wishard is a member of the State Teachers' Association and is an 
able and useful member of the Allen County Teachers' Association. 



T \ANIEL HORVILLE — The pioneers of a country are the ones who 
-' — ' lay broad and liberal foundations of society and engage the atten- 
tions of the world by their qualities of daring, determination and tenacity. 
They furnish the plans for the development of a new country and provide 
the brain and sinew for their execution. As good men as ever preached a 
sermon or settled a homestead were among the pioneers to Allen county. 
They came from all quarters of the east, even across the Atlantic, and took 
lip their residence here with a sincere desire to do an honorable part in the 
development of the county. One of these men, and a character well known 
and highly regarded, was Daniel Horville, whose brief history is presented 
herewith. 

"Djn" Horville's oiigin is French. He was born in the province of 
Loraine — when that country vvas French territory — 'in February, 1824. He 
is a son of Michael Horville, a successful farmer and stock raiser near Pu- 
vergne, and who died there some j-ears since. He was twice married, his 
first wife, Catharine Ansel, being our subject's mother. Another son, 
Michael Horville, left a family, at death, near the French-German town 
above mentioned. 

Daniel Horville left France about the time he came of age, sailing from 
H ivre for New York. He had little capital and found little labor of a re- 
munerative character while in the city. When financial matters forced an- 
other move he made his way down to Cincinnati, Ohio. While there he 
had a miscellaneous lot of jobs out of which he accumulated some money. 
His next move was westward into Owen county, Indiana, where, in 



4S6 HISTORY OF ALLEX AJHJr 

Speivcer, he opened a small store. He remained there something near two 
years, when, in company with James Wood, father of "Bob" Wood, of 
lola, he made another move toward the setting sun, this time locating: in 
Lexington. McLean county, Illinois. Mr. Wood offered him a good busi- 
ness arrangement to engage in mercantile pursuit and he accepted, opening 
a store at this point. They shipped their goods to Peoria up the Illinois 
river from St. Louis and freighted them across the country in the old west- 
ern style. Mr. Horville prospered in his Lexington venture and remained 
in business there till 1856. Selling out that year he made his fifth and last 
trip westward. He had made a preliminary trip to Kansas and decided to 
locate in Allen county and in 1S56 he came to stay. He stopped one mile 
east of Ida, on Elm creek, temporarily, and the next year horaester.ded the 
Sleeper place, southeast of the Elm creek wagon bridge. Some three years 
later he purchased the Lewis claim on the Neosho river, to which he re- 
moved and ill which community he has resided since. In an early day, as 
now, Mr. Horville was not regarded a poor man. The capital he brought 
with him to Kansas was sufficient for his needs and, with it, he was enabled, 
to handle matters requiring cash which men without his advantage could 
not touch. He saw a golden opportunity to engage in the cattle busine.s.s 
and seized upon it. The range was wide and free, and stock could be raised 
with little cost but labor. His hopes have been so fully realized in thiS' 
line of industry all these forty years that he has remained in the business. 
Scarcely a citizen in Allen county can recall when Han Horville was not a 
"cattle man." With his successes in this line came successes in other lines 
and his general prosperity took form in expanded domain and in its sub- 
stantial improvement and development. His broad acres number above a 
thousand and the yearly business he transacts, in the buying and .selling of 
stock and grain, runs up into the thousands 

January i, 1S62, Mr. Horville was married to Margaret Ann Bird, a 
daughter of Amor Bird, a former Ohio .settler. The childien of this union 
are: Flora Horville, Louis E. Horville, Mrs. Bird Foust, whose children 
arc Dorothy and Kenneth; Frank and Ralph D. Horville; Katie, wife of 
Walter C. Teats, of lola, and Misses May and Grace Horville. 

In public m.itters Mr. Horville was once an active participant. In the 
early days of Allen county he was a Republican but his views changed 
in the early seventies and he has since affiliated with Democracy and its 
allies. He was elected Commissioner of the county in 1873 and was a care- 
ful and conservative gu.irdian of the county's funds. For fifteen years he 
served on the school board in his district ,and in this capacity was looked 
to largely for the success of each term of school. 

The history of Daniel Horville reveals a man who has not lived in 
vain. In no material thing has he been a failure and in all things has he 
played a manly part. His remarkable succes-es have not bred in hiui or his 
family any element of aristocracy, on the contrary his home is accessible to 
the most lowly and his society an encouragement to honest labor. The 
active supervision of his interests are in the hands of his first son, Louis E., 
whose demonstration of his capacity occurred on the first opportunity. The 



U'OODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



latter was equipped with a commercial education, is a friend to progressive 
adea? and is in every way worthy th? cotiSlence replied in him. 



GEORGE A. AMOS. — In the "learned professions" merit alone caYi 
win advancement. When success must depend upon the various 
mental attributes oi the individual, neither wealth nor influential friends 
■can aid one in the progress toward fame. The man who has attained 
prominence at the bar is therefore entitled to great credit, for as he 
lengthens the distance between himself and mediocrity it is the indication 
of great zeal, maiked ability, close .ippiication and thorough knowledge. 
It has been through the exercise of these qualities that George A. Amos 
has attained a position at the bar that tniglit well be envied by many a 
practitioner. 

Mr. Amos is now residing in Humboldt. He was born in Springfield, 
Illinois, on the 4th of September, 1S41. His father, Josiah F. Amos, was 
a native of Maryland and in 1S36 emigrated to Illinois. He was an archi- 
tect and carpenter, and in the capital of the Prairie State he engaged in the 
lumber business. He married Miss Julia Hay, a native of Kentucky, and 
unto them were born three children: George A., of this review; John M., 
who is now in business in Sprnigfield; and Sarah E. Shepherd, a resident 
of Los Angeles, California. In the public schools of Springfield, Illinois, 
George A. Amos acquired his education. Entering upon his business 
career, he was connected with the lumber trade, and in August, 1869, he 
removed to Humboldt, Kansas, where he was again engaged in the lumber 
business until 1S73. He then sold out and began the study of law, and 
was admitted to the bar by the di.strict court of Allen county, November 
21, 1S74. On the 15th of January, 1S80, he was admitted to practice in 
the federal court and was admitted to the supreme court July 6, 1S87. He 
has been very successful, having the confidence of his clients and of the 
public, and has demonstrated his ability by the many verdicts he has won 
favorable to the people whom he represents. In 1882 he was elected county 
attorney of Allen county and throughout his term he served in a most 
creditable and satisfactory manner. In 1884 he was re-elected. His 
lather died in 1889 and Mr. Amos returned to Springfield, Illinois, to settle 
up the estate, remaining in his native city five years. During that time he 
was elected city attorney of West Springfield, but when his business inter- 
ests were satisfactorih- ended there he returned to Humboldt, and since 
1894 has been continuously practicing his profession in Allen county. He 
is a strong advocate before a jury and concise in his appeals before the 
court. He began as all others do in the practice of law — at the bottom 
round of the ladder — and his present prominence has come to him as a re 
ward of honest endeavor, fidelity and recognized ability. 

His efforts have not been limited alone to one line, for he is a director 
and one of the stockholders in the Humboldt Brick plant. Socially he is 



488 HISTORY OF AUJ-.S: AKD 

connected with the Masonic fraternity and has taken the Knight Templar 
degree of the York rite. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the- 
order and he has the high regard of his brethren of the craft. 

On the joth of October, 186&, Mr. Amos was united in marriage to 
Miss Josephine Andrews, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, a daughter of Colonel G. 
VV. Andrews of that state. They had two children. Georgia C, who is now 
the wife of John H. Arrael, of Humboldt, and Anna R. , a very bright 
young lady, who died November 23, 1890. Mrs. Amos passed away on 
the r6th of August, J8S5. Mr. Amos remained single for ten years and 
was again married, his second union being with Miss Laura Warner, who 
became his w-ife August 13, 1895. She was also a native of Ohio.- They 
enjoy the hospitality cff many of the best homes in Humboldt and their 
circle of friends is e.xtensive. Mr. Amos has those qualities which give 
him strength in business circles, and his advancement in professional life 
fs due to bis business ability, his determination and his laudable ambition. 
He is an indefatigable worker, which means that he is a student, accurate 
in his analysis and of broad learning. 



LEANDER STILLWELI, is not a citizen of Allen county, having re- 
sided in Erie, Neosho county, for many years, but as the Judge for 
eighteen years past of the District of which this county is a part he has be- 
come so familiar a figure here and has done so much toward shaping the 
history of the county, that this volume would not be complete without at 
least a brief sketch of his honorable and distinguished career. 

Judge Stilhvell was born in Otter Creek precinct, Jersey county, Illi- 
nois, on September i6th, 1843. His father, Jeremiah O. Slillwell, and his- 
mother ("whose maiden name was Ann Eliza White,) were natives of the 
state of North Carolina, but emigrated to Illinois in 1834. Judge Stillwell 
received a limited and meager common school education. His early life 
was spent on a farm in the Ixickwoods of western Illinois until a few 
months after the beginning of the War of the Rebellion. On January 7, 
1862, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Sixty-first Illinois Infantry, 
re-enlisted in said company and legiment as a veteran volunteer in Feb- 
ruary, 1SG4, and was mustered out with his regiment as first lieutenant 
of his company some months after the close of the war, having served con- 
tinuously nearly four years. During his term of service he participated in 
the battle of Shiloli, the siege of Vicksburg and numerous other battles and 
skirmishes. Aftei his discharge from the army, he studied law at the 
.Albany, New York, Law School, and was admitted to the bar in Decem- 
ber, 1867. He emigrated to Kansas in May, 1868, locating at Erie, in 
Neosho county, where he engaged in the practice of law. He has resided 
in Neosho county continuously ever since he came to Kansas. 

He was married in May, 1S72, to Miss Anna L. Stauber. Five chil- 
dren have been born to them, four of whom are yet living. He was elected 



wooDsox couxtie:;, kaxsas. 489 

to the lower house of the Kansas legislature in 1876, was elected judge of 
the Seventh Judicial District in 1S83. and re-elected to said office in the 
years 1S87, 1891, 1895 and 1899. He enjoj'S the distinction of having been 
a district judge in Kansas for the longest period of time that the office has 
been held by any judge in any of the different districts in the State, since 
Kansas was admitted into the Union, — a distinction which is, in itself, a 
most eloquent eulogy, showing as it does that his conduct on the bench has 
been such as to win and hold the respect and confidence of the people. 
In politics he is a Republican, and has been from his boyhood. 



rOHN' W. BALE was born April 20, 1843, in Hart countv, Kentucky, 
*J and is of German lineage. His great grandfather, William Bale, was a 
native of Germany, and on emigrating to America owned and operated a 
gristmill on Brash creek, in Green county. New Jersey at a very early day. 
He was a millwright by trade. His son, Peter B ile, the grandfather of oar 
subject, was born in Nc^w Jersey and became a prosp^rou^ farmer of Ken- 
tucky, owning between five aui six hundred acres of land on Leon Cimp 
creek in that State. Jacob Bale, the father of our subject, was born in Hart 
county, Kentucky, in 1818, and still reiiies thire. Hi r^c^iv^d excellent 
school privileges and at one time was probably the best educated man of his 
county. He worked in a powier mill ani aho foUowe 1 farming and stock 
raising, but for some time past has lived retired, still residing on the old 
homestead. He was married in 1842 to Miss Elizabeth Pointer, who 
was born in 1S24, a daughter of Edward Pointer who removed 
from one of the southern states to Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Bale be- 
came the parents of the following children: John H., W. T., Robert, Mrs. 
Nancy Richardson and Mrs. Mattie Murray, all of whom are living in Ken- 
tucky with the exception of the subject hereof. 

Mr. Bale, of this review, resided on his father's farm in Hart county, 
Kentucky, until eighteen years of age, when he responded to his country's 
call for aid, joining the Union ariny on the fifteenth of October, 1861, as a 
member of Company F, Fifteenth Kentucky Infantiy, under Captain Carroll 
and Colonel Pope. The regiment proceeded to New Haven and to Bacon 
creek, and after participating in the battles at Bowling Gieen, Nashville 
and Huntsville, returned to Louisville, Kentucky. Subsequently Mr. 
Bale with his command participated in the engagements at Perryville, Stone 
River, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and the campaign as far as Atlanta, and 
Jonesboro, Georgia. He was mustered out January 17, 1S65, at Louisville, 
having loyally served his country for more than three years. 

For several months he engaged in farming and cattle raising in Ken- 
tucky, but in January, 1866, came to Kansas, residing in Leavenworth until 
the following fall, when he came to Allen county, settling in lola town- 
ship. Here he has since devoted his energies to the cultivation of his fields 
and to the raising of stock, and is today numbered among the most ener- 



490 HISTORV OF ALLEN AND 

getic and prosperous citizens of his township, owning five hundred and 
twenty-eight acres of valual)le land. 

Mr. Bale was married in Hart county, Kentuckj', November 28, 1866, 
to Miss Anna DeFever, who was born in that county, December 19, 1S51, 
a daughter of William DeFever, a native of the same county, and of French 
descent. Mr. and Mrs. Bale became the paients of three sons: Irvin. who 
was drowned in the Neosho river at the age of seven years; Wallace and 
Frank, who are residents of this count3^ Mr. Bale exercises his right of 
franchi.se in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, but has 
never been a professional. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason. Through 
the legitimate channels of trade he has risen to an enviable position financial- 
ly, and at the same time has commanded and enjoyed the respect of his 
fellow men by reason of his well spent life. 



WILLIAM T. HALL — In enumerating the succe.ssful farmers of 
Allen county the name of William T. Hall should not be omitted. 
He is not one of our pioneers but his residence among us entitles him to be 
classed with the permanent people and responsible for a fair share in the 
development of his county. 

Mr. Hall was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1S38. His 
ancestors were among the first to settle that region and were there when 
the French controlled old Ft. DuQuesne, now Pittsburg. His grandfather, 
an old German, went into Allegheny county, Pennsylvania in 176.S, and 
there passed his remaining years. One of his sons was Robert Hall, our 
subject's father. The latter was born in 1808 and died in 1887. He 
married Grace Bell whose family settled in Allegheny county, as early as 
the Halls, their land being on Chartiers Creek. Upon the old farm stands 
the stone mansion which was erected as a means of defense against 
the Indian attacks of that day. The town of Carnegie covers some of the 
Bell land, and one of the Bells still owns the stone house and lot. 

The Bells were originally Irish and Mr. Hall's great-grandfather Bell 
was a Revolutionary soldier in our war for independence. Joseph Hall, the 
old German above referred to, came into western Pennsylvania from New 
Jersey. He seived his country in one of the early wars of our country and 
William Hall possesses a powder horn which the old patriot carried through- 
out his service and which has become one of the heir-looms of the family. 
The Halls and Bslls were farmers, in the main, but James Bell, maternal 
grandfather of our subject, operated a distillery as well. 

The children of Robert and Grace (Bell) Hall are: William T.; James 
F"., of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The former was put to learn the 
buggy and wagon-makers trade upon approaching man's estate and in 1S59 
he made his way westward to Owen county, Indiana. He took up the 
carpenter trade there and followed it in the two counties of Owen and 
Sullivan so long as he remained in the State. He helped build the theatre 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 49 1 

in Brazil and was tvvo years in the construction of the residence of Judge 
Hanna at Curryville, Indiana. 

As a pupil in the^ country school Mr. Hall made satisfactory advance- 
ment and was considered one of the first in his cla.ss. His onl\- experience 
as a teacher was when he filled his teacher's place for three months the last 
term he attended. In 1854 Mr. Hall was married in Owen county, Indi- 
ana, to Mary Wallace, a daughter of John and Margaret (Willie) Wallace. 
The Wallaces came from the Parish of Zaneygred, Scotland, and of their 
five children Mrs. Hall is the only daughter surviving. The sons are: 
David, James, Samuel and John Wallace. 

Our subject's children are: Margaret, wife of David E. Earl, of 
Bronson, Kansas; Annie, wife of Ernest Pancoa.st, of Stroud. Oklahoma; R. 
W. Hall, whose wife was Miss Gertie Flake, and Misses Mattie, Frances 
E. , Eva and Ross Hall. 

lu 1879 Mr. Hall came to Kansas. The appearance of Allen county 
satisfied him and he purchased a partly improved farm of Elias Norman. 
This tract is the northwest quarter of section i6, township 25, range 20, and 
lies on either side of a fork of the Marmaton river. The improvements con- 
si.sted of an old building, scarcely deserving the name of house, and a piece 
of tillable land. For some years he gave his own time largely to the car- 
penter's bench and left the actual work of sowing and reaping to the family. 
His last work as a mechanic was done on the Snyder barn some ten years 
ago and since then his farm has occupied him fully and well. 

The politics of the Halls and the Bells were somewhat divided. Some 
were Democrats and some were Whigs. In these matters our subject has 
little interest. On national questions he is with the Democrats but on local 
cindidates he is both and neither according to the character of the nom- 
inees. In secular matters he was schooled in the faith of Calvin and be- 
came a Baptist only when circumstances placed him without the influence 
of the United Presbyterian church. 



JOHN WALTER SCOTT was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
'-' Augu.st 29, 1823. His father was Alexander McRay Scott, who was 
born at Alexandria, Virginia, August 19, 1800. His mother was 
Mary Dean, who was born in New Jersey or Pennsylvania in 1799. His 
paternal grandfather was John Scott, whomigrated from Belfast, Ireland, 
soon after the Revolution, landing first at St. Thomas, West Indies, but 
soon after going to Norfolk, Virginia, and thence to Alexandria. His 
paternal grandmother was Margaret Kenna, the daughter of an English 
Sea captain. Nothing farther is known of the paternal line, except that 
"in the beginning" one "John," a ship joiner, migrated from Scotland to 
the ship yards at Belfast, Ireland, and was there called "Jolin, the Scot," to 
difierentiate him from other Johns, which name, of course, soon became 



^92 HISTORY OF ALI.E.N ANO 

John Scott, which it still remains. The John Scott who migrated to Ameri- 
ca was a shoemaker by trade. He was killed by lightnin>; when about sixty 
years of age. His wife died in Indiana about 1853, of.old age. Alexander 
Scott, the father of our subject, was a machinist and mechanic, although he 
aUvavs lived on a farm. He died at the age of sixty-four in Bloomington, 
Illinois, of cerebro spinal meningitis. His wife has previously passed away 
in Kentucky at the age of forty- four, of malarial fever. , 

John W. Scott's maternal grandfather was Samuel Dean, a Revolution- 
ary soldier in the New Jersey line. He afterwards served under "Mad 
Anthony" Wayne in the Indian wars and was severely wounded in the hip, 
making him lame the remainder of his life. He was probably of Danish 
descent and was a farmer. He died at the age of eighty-six from 
the effect of hi.s wounds. Nothing more is known of the family on 
this side. 

John \V. Scott was the oldest child of Alexander and Mary Dean 
Scott. He had three brothers, Samuel, William and Harmon, and 
five sisters, Martha, Mary, Jennie, Margaret and Hannah. Of this family 
Diilv Margaret and Jennie now survive. 

When John W. vScott wasthree years of age his father bought a farm ad- 
joining the Braddock Field property, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and 
there most of his childhood was spent. He w-orked on the farm in summer 
and in the winter attended such schools .as the uncertain condition of the 
country afforded, in this way acquiring the rudiments of a fair English edu- 
cation. In 1S40 he went with his father to Gallatin county, Kentucky, 
where he worked on a farm and in a saw mill for three or four years. The 
work proved too heavy for him and his health giving way he secured a 
position as private tutor in the family of Dr. William B. Chamberlain, in 
Warsaw, Kentucky. He taught the children of his employer the rudi- 
ments of English and received from him in return a smattering of Greek. 
Latin and mathematics. He afterward taught school in various portions of 
the county during the winters and read medicine with Dr. Chamberlain. 
In 1846-7 he took a course of medical lectures at the Starling Medical 
College, Columbus, Ohio, and in the .spring of 1847 began the practice of 
his profession at Hopewell, Indiana. After practicing there for two j-ears 
he took another course of lectures at the above college from which he grad- 
uated in the spring of 1849, returning at once to his practice in Indiana. 
December 13, 1849, he was married to Maria Protsman, the neice of hi.-; 
former preceptor, Dr. Chamberlain, and continued in the practice of medi- 
cine at Hopewell and P'ranklin, Indiana, until 1857 when he came to Kan- 
sas. He bought an original interest in the townsite of Olathe, which had 
just been located, and in connection with one Charles Csgood, built the first 
house erected on the townsite. In the fall he returned to Indiana and the 
following spring brought his family to Olathe. Owing to the unsettled 
condition of the country and the scenes of violence that were continually 
occurring in the town Olathe was not then a desirable place of residence, 
and so in June of 1858 Dr. Scott removed with his family to Allen county 
and took up a claim near Carlyle where he lived for the next sixteen years. 



•WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. -^q^ 

Tn the fall of 1859 he was elected to the Territorial legislature which met at 
Lecompton and afterwards adjourned to Lawrence, — the first free State 
legislature. He was re-elected in i860 and was chosen Speaket of the 
House, In 186 1 he was elected a member of the first State legislature, and 
in the absence of the Speaker presided during most of the session. During 
this session Fort Sumpter was fired upon, and at its close most of its mern- 
bers entered the Union array. Dr. Scott enlisted in the Fourth Kansa.'- 
Volunteer Infantr}- and was elected surgeon. He served with the Fourth 
during the fall and winter of i8bi-2, being in charge of the general hospital 
at Fort Scott. When the Third and Fourth regiments were consolidated 
and became the loth Kansas he became the surgeon of that regiment and 
served until May, 1863. when he resigned on account of the long and 
serious illness of his wife. In the fall of the same year, his wife's health 
having been restored, he re-entered and served to the end of the war, re- 
turning then to his Carlyle farm. 

In 1866 he was elected to the State Senate, was elected president 
pro tem of that body and presided during the session on account of 
Lieutenant Governor Greene serving as Governor, vice Governor S.J. Craw- 
ford resigned. Although always interested in politics and often actively en- 
gaged in the contests as a member of conventions and as a speaker in the 
■campaigns, and frequently mentioned as an available candidate for Congress 
and other high positions, he was not again a candidate for any office during 
the remainder of his residence in Kansas. 

Almost from his first location in the state Dr. Scott had interested him- 
self actively in the various projects looking to the building of railroads into 
this section of the State. Among the numerous meetings and conventions 
held in the interest of these projects the most important was a convention 
held at Topeka in the year 1859. The purpose ot this convention was to 
agree upon a system of railroads upon which the State would go to Con- 
gress, asking for land grants to aid in the building of the roads, and the 
chief contest was between the proposed line from Leavenworth south (now 
the Southern Kansas) and the proposed line then designated as the Border 
Tier road (now the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis.) The commit- 
tee appointed to draft outlines of the system of roads decided in favor of the 
Border Tier, leaving out the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston, as it 
was then and for many years afterward called. As a dissenting member of 
this committee Dr. Scott made a minorit}' report in favor of the L. L. and 
G., and succeeded in carrying it through the convention, thus securing the 
grant of land which made possible the building of that road. When the 
company was organized he became one of the directors, and when the road 
was finally built, in 1869, he was appointed Laud Commissioner. He re- 
mained in that capacity eight years, during which time he was the chief 
agent in securing the railroad title to the land to which it was entitled and 
in disposing of the lands to settlers. During most of this time also he was 
a member of the State Board of Agiiculture, taking an active and efficient 
part in organizing and conducting the State Fairs which were a feature of 
tlio.se early years.. From 1873 to 1879 he served as Regent of the State 



494 HISTORY OF ALLEK ASTj 

University, helping to lay the foundations ijf that great iustitiitioiT. 

Alter closing his connection with the railroad he returned to lola, the- 
family having removed from the Carlyle farm to that place in 1874, and iiE 
1S76 engaged in the drug business, purchasing the stock of John PVancis. 
In I S83, without solicitation on his part, he was appointed agent for the 
Ponca, Pawnee and Otoe Indians taking charge of the Agency January i,. 
1S84 Fie served in this position until October, 18S5, when he resigned 
and returned to lola to resume the conduct of his drug business. He con- 
ducted this business until 1891, when he sold it to J. H. Campbell in order 
to accejH an appointment as Inspector for the Bureau of Animal Industry. 
He was assigned to duty at Kansas City and served until 1893, when he 
resigned. Desiring tc) retire from active business he went with his wife and 
daughter Belle, then constituting his family, to Clifton, Oklahoma, to visit 
his oldest son, who had taken a claim there. The climate and country 
pleased him so well that when the Oklahoma school lands were thrown open 
he leased a quarter section and with the energy which always characterized 
him proceeded to improve it, as if he were in his youth instead of in his 
seventieth year. He lived there quietly and happily until the fall of 1898- 
^vhen his neighb-^rs, almost without lespect to party, although he was still 
an ardent Republican, as he had been since the organization of that party, 
insisted that he serve as their candidate for the Territorial legislature. He 
reluctantly consented, and was elected, although the district contained a 
largely adverse party majority. He was not in his usual health when the 
session opened early in January, 1899, and in going to the Capitol he 
suffered some exposure which brought on an attack of pneumonia which 
resulted in his death, which occurred January 19, 1899. I" honor ol his 
memory the legislature adjourned and a committee of its members was ap- 
jx:)inted to accompany the remains to lola where they were interred. A 
further and mo.st touching proof of the respect and affection in which he 
was held by his colleagues was given by the fact that during the entire re- 
mainder of the session his chair on the floor of the house remained draped, 
and every morning there was on his desk a bouquet of fresh flowers. And 
so he died as he had lived, honored and beloved by all who knew him, a 
man who loved his family with a rare devotion, who was an important and 
influential factor in the development of two new States, who served his 
State and his country, in office and out of it, in peace and in war, with 
great ability and with incorruptible integrity, and who in all the relations 
of life was worthy of love and honor. 

Maria Protsman, wife of John \V. Scott, was born on a farm nine miles 
north of Vevay, Indiana, July 19, 1829. Her father, William Protsman, 
was born in Danville, Kentucky, February 5, 1801, and came to Indiana 
in i8r4 where he worked with his father at farming and wagon making. 
He opened a large farm near Vevay and reared children as follow.s: Flora, 
Maria, Emarine, Isaac. Ellen, Adelia. Charles, Fannie, William, Alexander 
of whom Flora, Maria, Emarine, Charles, William and Alexander still 
survive. William Protsman died in 1866. His father was John Protsman, 
who emigrated from Germany with his father's family about the year 1769. 



■woodso:n covn'ties, icai^sas. 495 

5n the family there were four brothers and two sisters. As a mere boy 
John Protsmaii served as a teamster during the Revolutionary waT. -In 
1792 he was married in Philadelpliia to Xancy B. Recknor and soen afte'r- 
-wards moved to Ohio, going from there to Kentucky and finally to Vevay, 
Indiana, where he died at the age of sevent}^-eight. He was a carpenter 
and farmer. His children were David, Samuel, John, Wiiliam, Nancy B., 
and Elizabeth. Nanc\- Recknor, wife of John Protsman, was also of 
German descent, her father and mother emigrating from Gennany a little 
before the Revolutionary war. Her father was a soldier and was killed at 
the battle of Bunker Hill. Her mother died the year following at Phila- 
•delphia, and the two children, Nancy B, and John, were taken and reared 
by their grandmother. When they were grown John went to the South and 
that was the last known of him. 

Polly Campbell Protsman, the mother of Maria Protsman Scott, was 
born in Kentuck5- April 9, 1809, and died at Vevay, Indiana, in 1890. 
Her father was William Campbell, who was born in South Carolina in 
August, 1776. Her mother, Polly Brown, was born in Kentucky, June 17, 
1783, and was married to William Campbell June 17, i8oo. William 
Campbell died February 4, 1832, leaving a family of nine children, as 
follows: Jeannette, Jemima, Elizabeth, Susan, Polly, Samuel, James, 
and William. Polly, his wife, died in 1868, at the age of eighty- 
five years. 

The children of John W. and Maria P. Scott were: William .\lexander, 
born September 29, 1850; Walter Winfield, born September 4, 1853; Clara 
Belle, born September 14, 1855, Angelo Cyrus, born September 25, 1857; 
Charles Frederick, born September 7, i860; Emma Louisa, born April 23, 
1865, died September 4, 1879; vSusie Flora, born April 6, 1867, died 
September i, 1873; Effie June (Mrs. E. C. Franklin) born August 4. 1871. 



A yfRS. MARY FORD, of Marmaton township, one of the pioneers of 
-'-"-'- that portion of Allen county, is the widow of John O. Ford who 
settled on the wild waste of land in the, then, new township, in the year of 
1876. Her husband died in November 1877 and she was left with a family 
of young children to battle with the difficulties incident to the settlement of 
a new country. 

This prominent and worth}^ family emigrated from Peofia, Illinois, 
where John O. Ford had grown up from his fifth year. The latter was 
born in Devonshire. England, in 1841, and his wife in the same shire 
October 14, 1848. Each came to the United States with their parents, the 
former in 1855 and the latter in 1850. Both families located in Peoria 
county, where their children were reared on the farm. Mr. Ford's father, 
William Ford, had four sons, one of whom, Henry Ford, still resides in 
Peoria county. Mrs. Ford's parents were Thomas and Sarah (Fewins) 
Torrington. Mr. Torrington died in 1864 and his widow is the wife of 



496 HISTOKV (II- AI-I.i:.\ A.ND 

Richard Bailt-y, of Allen county, Kansas. Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Thomas- 
Woods, of Marniaton township, are the sole survivors of the Torrington 
family of six children. 

John O. Ford brought his effects to Allen county in a chartered car. 
He was a geutlenian with much hope and ample industry and it must have 
been a source of gratification to himself to locate in a new country where 
all were poor alike and where each possessed the same advantage with his 
neighbor. Of his five children the eldest, at his father's death, was' twelve 
year.9. These children are all married and reside within reach of their 
mother. They are, William T. , who married Florence Lamb and has five 
children: Blanche, Harry, Edna, Leta and Raymond Ford; Charles Ford,, 
who is married to Maggie Davis, has two children. Eugene and Leslie 
Ford; Anna, wife of Neal Ford, of Allen county, has two children. Marie 
and Nina Ford; Laura, wife of James Robb, lias five children, Mildred, 
Alice, Agnes, Philos and Arthur Robb; and Mabel, who is the wife of 
Albert Smith. 

Mrs. Ford gave her children a common school education in the home 
district and reared them all to become useful and honorable mtn and 
women. The earlier years of their lives were something of a struggle 
against adversities but as the children approached man and womanhocxl 
their labors were tendered with telling effect and their homestead, instead 
of dwindling below its original size doubled it and Mrs. Ford owns one 
hundred and sixty acres in each of sections lourteen and twenty-two. 

In public affairs and in party affiliations the Fords are Republicans. 
The young men are among the substantial young men of their township 
and it is much to the credit of the family that their neighbors and friends 
hold them in the highest esteem. 



CORNflilvIlTS W. McNIEL, manager of the extensive interests ot the 
Northrup Lumber Company, of lola, has resided in Allen county for 
twenty-one years. He came to it in 1879 and purchased a farm near that 
oi Daniel Horville, northwest of lola, which he cultivated until 1833 when 
he sold it and moved into town. He took the foremanship of the, then, 
small lumber yard of L. L. Northrup and has remained with the business 
through all the years which have intervened and has watched its growth 
from the chief lumber yard of a small town to the leading one of the 
metropolis of the gas belt. 

Mr. McNiel was born in Butler county, Ohio, November loth, 1834. 
Lazarus McNiel, his father, was one of the pioneers to that county where 
he opened out a farm in the heavy timber and cultivated it with succe.ss 
during his active life. He went into Ohio from near Harrisburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. He was born in this latter state, was a soldier in the war of 1812 
and died just three days before his wife. He was one of the Jeffersonian 
and Jacksonian Democrats and when our subject changed the course of 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 497 

family politics by casting his ballot for Fremont in 1856 it was almost at 
the expense of his father's friendship. 

Jane Hall, our subject's mother, was a daughter ol Cornelius Hall, 
who represented his district, as a Whig, in the Ohio Legislature in an early 
day. He was likewise from Pennsylvania and was a farmer. Of si.K chil- 
dren born to Lazarus McNiel only two survive: Martha, wife of Thomas 
Mitchell, of Albany, Oregon, and Cornelius W. McNiel. Nancy, the 
oldest, manied Dr. Alansou Smith and is deceased; Sarah J. died single; 
Maria H. married B. F. Fessenden and was killea, together with her hus- 
band, by a railroad train near Cincinnati; Rebecca C, died in Anderson. 
Indiana, in igoo, was the wife of L. H. Vinedge. 

Mr. McNiel spent his youth and early married life in the country. He 
attended the country school, Hanover College and Miami University, at 
Oxford, Ohio. He took up the study of medicine soon after coming of 
age, with Dr. Newton, of Cincinnati, but was thought to be consumptive 
and was advised by the doctor to abandon his professional notions and go 
home to die. From thence forward his life was an out-of-door one and it 
was not till the close of the Civil war that he ventured away from his 
native state. In 1865 he moved to Pettis county, Missouri, and spent two 
years in farming. He started the tovvn of Lamont, by building the first 
house in it, and was engaged in the lumber and grain business there till 
1879, when he came to Kansas. 

December 3, 185 + , Mr. McNiel was married to Maria H. Gaston, a 
daughter ot David Gaston, one of the early setUers of Hamilton county, 
Ohio. Mrs. McNiel died in 1883, being the mother of Harry L., of the 
firm of Brigham & McNiel, of lola; Edward H., who died in 1894; Jennie 
McNiel; Walter S. and Bert L. McNiel, leading jewelers, of lola 

C. W. McNiel has been one of the active citizens of lola. He has not 
only gone about the transaction of his personal business with prudence and 
wisdom but in the conduct of public business he has exercised the same dis- 
cretion and business judgment. For five years he was a member of lola's 
common council and was two years its Mayor and his accession to those 
positions are ample testimony to the efficiency with which he cared for a 
public trust. In politics he permits no man to outdo him as a Republican. 
As heretofore mentioned, he started with the paity and his claim to .1 
place of honor in the great and patriotic organization can not be disputed 
or disproved. 



/"^HAUNCEY H. DeCLUTE.— To know how to make money, to know 
^^ how to spend money, and to know how to make and keep friends, — 
those are rare gifts, and the man who possesses all of them cannot make a 
failure of this life. It is becau.se he possesses these gifts that the name of 
C. H. DcClute always appears in any list of the successful business men of 
lola. 

Chauncey Hovver DeClute was born in Monroe county. New York, in 



498 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXD 

the year 1839. When twelve years of age t'ne family removed to CoKl- 
water, Michigan, where the hoy attended the city schools until he reached 
the age of nineteen when he left the >chool room to take a place as clerk in 
a clothing store. 

In July, 1S64, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Twenty eighth 
Michigan Volunteer Infantry. After serving in the ranks for six months 
he was promoted to First Lieutenant and transferred to another Company 
of the regiment, of which he was put in command, — its captain being ab- 
sent on detached service, — and which he contiiuied to command during the 
remaining eighteen months of his service. 

After being mustered out in June, 1866, after two years of hard and 
gallant service under the flag of his country, Lieutenant DeClute returned 
to Coldvvater and resumed his place behind the counter, where he remained 
until 1879, when he formed a partnership with his brother inlaw, W. W. 
Anderson, and together they came to lola, Kansas, and engaged in the 
clothing business. 

Up to that time most of the stores in the then small village of lola, had 
carried stocks of "general merchandise," a little of everything, and the 
old settlers will remember well what a shaking of heads there was when it 
was announced that the new firm was going to run an exclusive clothing 
store, and how general were the prophesies of failure. But the new firm 
didn't (ail. It started out at first in a small way, with a limited stock in a 
small building about the middle of the block facing the square between 
Madison avenue and West street. But by and by the stock grew larger 
and it was only a few j'ears until it was announced that the new firm had 
bought the most prominent corner in town and would put up a brick and 
stone building. So it came to pass that the prophesies of failure ceased 
and the clothing house of Anderson & PcClute became known all over the 
county as one of the substantial commercial enterprises of lola. And while 
the senior member of the firm, — whose death in 1892 was deeply deplored, 
— was personally popular and well liked, it was generally recognized that 
tlie long experience and the shrewd business sense of the junior partner 
were the largest factors in achieving what has certainly been most gratify- 
ing success. 

After the death of Mr. Anderson and of his wife, which occurred in 
1899, Mr. DeClute bought the interest of their heirs and has since been 
sole proprietor of the business. It has continued to grow, and has in- 
creased to such an extent that it has been found necessary to build a two- 
.story addition to accommodate the large stock made necessary by the en- 
larged demands of the trade. 

It often happens that business success is achieved at the sacrifice of 
personal popularity, but in the present instance this bad rule has fortu- 
nately not held good. There are plenty of good reasons for this, but the 
principal one, doubtless, is the fact that Mr. DeClute is one of the most 
public spirited of all our citizens. The money he has made here he has 
spent here, — in putting up a fine business block, in building for his family 
a handsome and commodious home, and in extending his business. He is 



WOODSOK COUNTIES, KANSAS 



499 



alwaj-s prompt and liberal in subscribing to any fund that may be needed 
for some public purpose, or in taking stock in any enterprise that is started 
to benefit the town, or in giving time and toil to help make a success of any 
public entertainment. He is intensely loyal to the town and amply de 
serves the success he has won and the esteem in which he is held. 

Mr. DeClute was married at Coldwater, Michigan in 1861, to Miss 
Jeannette Davis, and the son, George, that was born tothein, after serving 
with gallantry as a volunteer in the First Illinois through the Cuban cam- 
paign in the war with Spain, is now assisting his father in the conduct of 
his business. Mrs. Jeannette Davis DeClute died in 1877, and in 1879 Mr. 
DeClute was married to Miss Mary .Anderson, who, with their daughter, 
Louise, constitute the family which adorns one of the happiest as well as 
one of the prettiest homes in lola. 



TAMES TAYLOR, of lola. one of the well known and progressive re- 
" tired farmers of this city, has been a resident of the county since 1879. 
He came into the county in March of that year from Johnson county, Kan- 
sas, and located upon section two, township twenty-four, range twenty, 
Osage township. This tract was a piece of raw land and Mr. Taylor set 
about bringing the soil under subjection and making such improvements as 
were nece.ssary to insure the family comfort. His industry brought him a 
good degree of prosperity and he increased the area of his original quarter 
by one-half. In December of 1895 '^^ came to lola, for the purpose of re- 
tiring from further active business. 

Mr. Taylor was born in Montgomery county, Missouri, June 12, 1830. 
His father, Joseph Taylor, was one of the pioneers of that count}-, having 
located there in 1826. He opened out a farm near Danville and remained 
in the vicinity till 1S42 when he went into Livingston county where he 
lived until 1865 when he went to Boone county and remained there until 
he died in 1885. He was born in the state of Maryland in 1804, went into 
Kentucky at an early day and removed from Simpson county, that state, 
to Missouri. His wife, nee Jane Doss, was born in 1S06 and died in 1875. 
Their children were: Mary, wife of James Hicks, resides in Chillicothe. 
Missouri; Artemicia, married Hampton Livingston, Davis county, Missouri; 
Susan, wife of William Parks, Boone county; Lucretia, who married George 
Hubbard, Montgomery county; Martha, deceased, married Thomas Patton, 
Montgomery county; Catherine, Boone county, Missouri, wife of John 
Patton, deceased; Wesley, of Kincaid, Anderson county, Kansas, Samuel 
Taylor, decea.sed, Thomas Taylor, of Oklahoma; Julean Sharp, of Pattens- 
burg, Davis county, Missouri. 

Our subject's early life was that of a farm boy. He attended school 
only a few months and at the age of twenty years left the farm and learned 
the carpenter trade. He took on mason work and brick laying about the 
same time and became quite proficient in all three trades. Foi thirty years 



500 UrSTORY OF. ,\LLEN AND 

he followed his trades, making them his chief livelihood, and even some 
residents of Allen county can testify to his skill in these lines. 

"Uncle Jimmy" Tnylor, as he is familiarh- addressed, is the architect 
of his own fortune. He was thrown ujion the world, as many faimer's sons 
are, without a dime and he accumulated very little until he deserted his 
trades. In the fell of 1864 he went to Colorado and located at Black 
Hawk, in the vicinity of which he prospected for ore and located a few 
claims but could not develop them. While in the west his wife died, at 
Canon City, Colorado, and when he returned to this state in 1875 he pos- 
se.ssed less resources than when he went away. He located in Johnson 
county, this state, on a farm near Olathe. 

Mr. Taylor has been three times married. His first wife was Polly 
Ann Brumniit who died at Utica, Missouri. One of her three children 
survive: Mrs. Sarah J. Arlega, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mr. Taylor's 
>econd wife was Jeraldine M. Dcnnison. Her heirs are: Samuel G. 
Taylor, of Canon City, Colorado, and John W. Taylor, who died in lola 
March 31, 1901. Mr. Taylor's present wife was Maggie Shuey, whom he 
married in Johnson county, Kansas. To them was born one son who has 
been an invalid all his life. 

More than thirty years ago our subject joined Canon City. Colorado, 
Lodge No. 7, of Odd Fellows and he has maintained his membership in 
the order since. He is a known Democrat, one of positive opinions and 
only exercises liberality and impartiality as to candidates in local affairs. 

Mr. Taylor was prominently identified w-ith the movement to secure 
cheap gas for fuel in lola and upon the consolidation of the two gas com- 
panies he became connected with the active operation of the con.solidated 
plant. He has done a fair share of the building up of the city, having 
erected several houses, one of which, his residence, is one of the attractive 
homes in lola. 



D.W'ID SMITH, whose remarkable influence as one of the early teach- 
ers of the county has been elsewhere noted, was born October 13, 
1S22, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish parentage. 
The following year his parents removed to Stark county, Ohio, and settled 
upon a tract of land where the city of Massilon now stands. David, the 
oldest of five brothers, lived and worked upon the farm and in his father's 
tannery until about his eighteenth year. Up to this time his educational 
advantages were very meager. The country was new, a tribe of Indians 
occupied a part of the county for several years, schools were short, poor and 
primitive, teachers poorly qualified and books scarce. His nineteenth year 
lie spent in the Twinsburg Academy, taught by Rev. Samuel Bissell, at 
that time one of the largest and most popular schools in northern Ohio. 
The next two j-ears he taught school and then entered Western Reserve — 
now Adelbert College — then located at Hudson, now at Cleveland, Ohio. 



"wOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. JOt 

Here and at Jefferson College at Cannonsbiirg, Pennsylvania, he spent his 
aime while not teaching till his graduation at Jelierson about th« 3'ear 1847. 
He also received a diploma from Adelbert. Immediately after graduation 
"he was called to the principalshipof the Old Pisgat Academy, near Lexing- 
ton, Kentucky. Two years after he entered the Western Theological 
Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Completing his theological course 
he married Miss S. E. Clarke, a teacher at Northfield, Ohio, and immedi- 
ately answered a call to take charge of the academy at Winchester, Ten- 
nessee. A year later he was called to the chair of mathematics in Burett 
College, Spencer, Tennessee. A few^ months after upon the death of the 
president he was chosen president of the college^— -about 1S57. He held 
this position till the Civil war closed the college. 

Leaving Spencer, Tennessee, in 1863, in troublesome times — times that 
tried northern men's souls — he settled in Olney, Illinois. Here he taught 
fur a year, when he was called to take charge of the schools at Shawnee- 
town, Illinois. In the year 1866 he resigned his position at Shawneetown 
and accepted the call to Geneva, Kansas, and the following year settled at 
Carlyle where he continued to teach until his death, April 10, 1878. 

Profes.sor Smith was of the old Puritan type, a stern disciplinarian, a 
rigid observer of the strictest religious rules, — a combination of teacher and 
preacher whose influence was wide and lasting. His memory will be 
revered as long as any still live who were the beneficaries of his training. 



/"^ EORGE W. FISHER— In selecting candidates for public office politi- 
^-^ cal parties rarely fail to follow other courses than the one dictated by 
their trusted leaders and in no instance is this fact more strikingly true than 
in the minority party whose candidates must go before the voters, in a local 
■contest, upon their individual merits, as citizens and men, rather than upon 
their unpopular political platform. The political situation in Allen county 
leaves the People's party and the Democratic party, combined, in the 
minority and in the selection of their candidates for the various offices to be 
filled by the election of 1900, no more honorable or conscientious nominee 
appeared on tlie Fusion ticket than thai for Representative to the Legisla- 
ture. George W. Fisher. All the years since his majority have been 
passed in Allen county, near lola, and in enumerating our worthy 
citizens it is with pride that a reference is made to the subject of 
this sketch. 

George Fisher was born in Park county, Indiana, May 13, 1862. He 
is a son of the late John Fisher, a farmer and a native of Brown county, 
Ohio, who died in lola township in 1886 at sixty-two j-ears of age. The 
latter went into Park county, Indiana, in 1828 and was married there to 
Elizabeth, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Cox) Gooding. He was an 
Ohio emigrant and was a son of John Fisher, a soldier of the War of 1812 
and a Whig in politics who went into Ohio from Washington county, Penn- 



502 HISTORY OF AI.LKX AXn 

sylvania, and took up land there in an early day. He took his family of 
six sons to Park county, Indiana, in 1S28 and died there leaving six sons 
and two daughters, who reared families. The children of his son, John 
Fisher, were: J. Wesley Fisher, of Allen county; Xathan Fi.sher, of Marshall, 
Illinois; Malinda, deceased ; George \V.; Thorns F. , of Hansford, California, 
and Allen G. Fisher of Allen county. 

George W. Fisher was a youth of nineteen years when he came to 
Allen county. He was liberally educated in the common schools and had 
had instruction, specially, in book-keeping and writing. He reached his 
twenty-first year as a farmer and his continuation of it evidence'^ the fact 
that liis success is of the certain and enduring kind. Since the death 
of his mother February 14, 1H99, he has resided alone upon the old family 
home in section 13, town 24, range 17, where he owns a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. 

The platforms of modern Democracy and of the People's party find 
responsive chords in the organism of the F'ishers and their faith is pinned 
to the ultimate triumph of all the elements opposed to the doctrines of the 
Philadelphia convention of 1900. George Fisher is not a Populist for office, 
for Populists seldom get offices in Allen county. He is not an office-seeker 
and in the campaign of 1900 it is doubtful if he even hinted in the presence 
of a voter that he desired his support at the polls. His election would have 
meant that Allen county would have had a Representative who would not 
fail to piotect her by at least his vote against any effort to deprive her of her 
dearest resource by a foreign corporation. 



MARTIN L. DECKKR, ex-Treasurer of Allen county, was born in 
Wallertheim, Darmstadt, Empire of Germany, December 8, 1S37. 
He was born in the same house with his fa-ther, John A. Decker and with 
his grandfather. Both grandfather and father were wine growers, cultivat- 
ing large farms planted to vineyards. John Decker was married to Philipina 
Weinheimer and Martin I/Uther was the third of eleven children. He 
emigrated to the United .States in 1853 and, on his sixteenth birthday, 
arrived in LaSalle county, Illinois. He crossed the Atlantic in the sailer 
Powhattan, bound from Rotterdam to New York, fifty-two days at sea. 
Young Decker stopped on a farm near Mendota, Illinois, and worked for 
wages three years. In 1856, in company with an uncle he immigrated to 
Iowa and then to Minnesota where, at Austin he ran a saw-mill till 185S. 
While in the mill he invented a machine for sawing eve-troughs, probably 
the first one in existence, but which was never patented nor followed up 
WMth a profit. 

His entry to Kansas in 1858 w;is celebrated by the preempting of a 
piece of land near Goodrich, Linn county. In 1859, having sold his claim 
he crossed the line into Allen county and worked on a farm on the Osage, 
for Johnston Mann. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company C, 



•woodso:n counties, Kansas. 503 

•Third Kansas cavalry. Colonel Montgomery. In 1862 the regiment was 
disorganized and Company C was transferred to the 9th Kansas cavalry. 
In its periods of marching and counter marching this regiment visited Ft. 
Riley, Kansas; Ft. Gibson, Indian Territory; Kansas City, Trading Post, 
Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas; Little Rock, Ft. Smith, Duvall's Bluff and 
campaigned on the White and Mississippi Riv^ers. He was discharged from 
the service November 23, 1864, at Leavenworth, Kansas, having done his 
whole duty toward the flag of his adopted country. 

December 8, 1864, Mr. Decker was married at Leavenworth city to 
Grace A, Thomas, who was born in England Novenibei 22, 1S46. She 
was a daughter of Thomas H. Thomas and Mary Evans, the former a 
\yelchman and the latter an English lady. The Thomas' came to Kansas 
in 1S56, from New York State, and settled in Douglas count}', near 
Lawrence. 

After his marriage Mr. Decker farmed in Allen and Bourbon counties 
till the fall of 1867 when he removed to Leavenworth county, residing near 
Potter where he was a farmer and fruit grower till 1889. The latter year 
he returned to Allen county and purchased the Mann farm, in Osage town- 
ship two and a half miles east of Bayard. He resided upon this tract three 
5-ears, then located in the town of Elsmore and engaged with a son in 
merchandising. After a three years residence in Elsmore he removed to 
lola to assume the duties of county Treasurer. 

Mr. Decker has always affiliated with the Republican party. This 
political relation is a matter in which he feels much warranted pride. The 
succession of events in the past forty years has shown that party to have 
been right on all great questions and to be right is to be patriotic. After a 
contest of a few weeks Mr. Decker was nominated for Count}- Treasurer in 
1895 and was elected the same year. He took pos.session of the office in 
October of the next year and held it four years. His administration cov- 
ered one smooth, unruffled and uneventful period of two terms and was 
one of the many clean and efficient ones of the past dozen years. He was 
seldom awa}' from his office, was gentlemanly and obliging to all and 
guarded with jealous care the receptacle of the people's funds. 

Mr. and Mrs. Decker's children are: Jesse P. Decker, of Elsmore; 
Emma, wife of John Amann, of Jefferson county, Kansas; Grant P. and 
Martin L. Decker Jr. ; Thos. H. Decker and Isaac Decker, of Allen county; 
Henry F. Decker, late with the United States Volunteers in the Philip- 
pines. He enlisted in Battery F, Third Artillery, and served in the Cuban 
and Porto Rican campaigns, Spanish-American war, and later in Com- 
pany F, 34th United States Volunteer infantry. Mary A., wife of R. 
Edward Glassel, residing in Joplin, Missouri; Elsie G., Ellen, Walter A. 
and John A. Decker. It will be observed that Mr. Decker has eight sons 
who, with himself, cast seven votes for William McKinley in igoo, being, 
no doubt a record unequaled by any other family in Allen county. 



504 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXI> 

T A 7ILLIAMT. BARXETT.— When ambition is satisfied and everj 
^ " ultimate aim realized then activity will cease and effort will end. 
It is ambition which prompts man to continue in business, enables him to- 
overcome obstacles and to persevere ev-en when a seemingly adverse fate 
thwarts him. His resolute purpase and determination forms the ladder on 
which he mounts to success. Mr. Barnett is one who owes his prosperity 
entirely to his own efforts, and his life record should .serve as a source of 
in.spiration and encouragement to others who are also forced to start out 
on an independent business career empty handed. He now resides on sec- 
tion 12, lola township, where he has made his home since 1869. 

He was born in Fulton county, Indiana, near Rochester, November 
zo, 1844, a son of Thomas W. Barnett, one of the earliest settlers in that 
county. His paternal grandfather, John Barnett, was born in Goochland 
county. Vitginia, and at the beginning of the slavery trouble left the Old 
Dominion for Ohio. He and his family were of the Quaker faith and trace 
their ancestry back to Scotland through emigrants who came to America 
prior to the Revolutionary war. Politically they were all Whigs and Re- 
publican. Great strength and size were two marked family characteristics, 
nearly all of the men being more than six feet in height. Thomas W. 
Barnett was born in Dayton. Ohio, June 13, 1813, and in 1835 he. removed 
to Fulton county, Indiana, where he developed a farm from the wild land, 
his home being a log cabin. He wedded Mary Troutman, a daughter of 
.Michael Troutman, who was of Irish extraction and their eldest son, John 
A. Barnett, was the first white child born in Fulton county. Their other 
children were Michael I.; Sarah E., wife of John J. Carter, of Fulton 
county; William T. , of this review; Emma, wife of Dr. Albert Coble, of 
Carroll county, Indiana. The father had accunutlated a considerable for- 
tune when the war broke out, but while the war lasted he devoted su much 
of his time and means to the cause of the Union that most of his capital 
was dissipated, and at the time of his death in 1882 he was in but moderate 
circumstances. His wife died in Frankfort, Indiana, in 1S91. 

William T. Barnett, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until 
twenty-five years of age, with the exception of the period spent at the 
Iront in the Civil war. He pursued his education in an old-time log school 
house, where he conned his lessons during the winter months in his early 
years. In April, 1863, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in Company A, 
Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry, under Colonel Clark, who is now a resi- 
dent of Frankfort, Indiana. The company joined the regiment at Raleigh. 
Missouri, and embarking on transports at St. Genevieve, Missouri, they 
went down the river to take part in the Vicksburg campaign. Landing at 
Haynes Bluff, they participated in the Yazoo river engagement, crossed the 
river at Youngs Point, and proceeded to a point below V^icksburg, thus 
closing up the line. There they participated in the siege and assault on 
the city, and took part in several hotly contested engagements, one of 
which was a charge to get possession of the outer works. The Twenty- 
sixth Indiana was under the command of Major General Herren, then only 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 505 

twenty-six years of age. From Vicksburg they were sent up the Yazoo 
river, and after capturing Yazoo City, took part in the fight at Big Black 
river. After capturing and burning Edwards depot they returned to Vicks- 
burg, and then went on to New Orleans, where they were recruited, pro- 
ceeding thence to capture Morgan's Bend. While stationed on the Atcha- 
falaya they were captured by the Confederates and taken to Tyler, Texas. 
In .\ovember, 1863, they signed the parole and were sent to Shreveport for 
exchange. They were captured in the summer while on a scouting e.Kpe- 
dition and had very little clothing with them. They were also barefooted, 
when on the 19th of November, the weather turned very cold and the river 
froze over, so that the Confederates rode back and forth on the ice. The 
Union soldiers experienced great suffering there. Returning to Tyler after 
three months they remained at the latter place until Julj', when they were 
taken to the mouth of the Red river and exchanged. Going by way of 
New Orleans they rejoined the regiment at Fort Butler, Louisiana, and 
later pArticipited in the capture of Mobile aud Fort Blakeh'. Passing up 
the Mobile river they captured Montgomery and Selma, and thence went 
t(j Meridan, Mississippi, where they captured General Taylor and thirty 
tliousand men. On that march Mr. Barnett and many of his comrades 
were bare-footed and on very short rations part of the time, .\ftcr that 
they were on detached service and our subject also acted as military court 
officer until mustered out at Vicksburg, January 17, 1S66. During his 
service he received a severe woun 1 in the right cheek from a musket 
ball. 

When Mr. Barnett came to Allen county, he brought with him two 
hundred dollars in cash, which represented the sum total of his savings up 
to that time. On looking around for some time he decided to locate m 
lola township and finally purchased eighty acres of land on which he now 
resides for eight hundred dollars, paying down two hundred dollars and 
giving a mortgage for the remainder. The improvements upon the place 
consisted of a house fifteen feet square and thirteen acres of broken ground. 
-Mr. Barnett then entered the employ of John McClure, a well-know-n 
pioneer engaged with L. L- Northrup in the cattle business. He received 
twenty dollars per month and later he entered the service of Brooks & 
Arnold, who gave him twenty-eight dollars per month. He was thus em- 
ployed until he had paid off the mortgage, when he returned for a visit 
with relatives and friends in Indiana. On again reaching Allen county, he 
I)egan the work of improving his farm in 1873 and kept bachelor's hall 
there. He had a yoke of oxen, a plow and a harrow. As the years 
passed he secured improved facilities and has continued the develop- 
ment and improvement of his place until he now has one of the most at- 
tractive farms of the neighborhood, having in the meantime extended its 
boundaries by the additional purchase of one hundred and sixty acres. 

Mr. Barnett married Miss Mary E. Cox, daughter of Samuel W. Cox, 
a farmer and merchant of Harristown, Illinois, who removed from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois. Mis. Barnett has three brothers and two sisters: Henry 
and Ephraim, of Sumner county, Kansas; William, of Illinois; Mrs. Nancy 



5o6 HISTOKV OF ALLEN ANT) 

Morrison, ol Iowa; and Mrs. Minerva Bear, of Bearsdale, Illinois. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett were born ten children. The.se are Mary E., 
wife of Robert Sullivan, of Allen county, Kansas; Centennial R., wife of 
Samuel E. Wilson, of Allen county; Thomas W.. of lola, died August t,i. 
1900; Florence, Elmer A., Harry C, Noble R., Chester R., Russell J. and 
Bruce, who are still with their parents. 

Mr. Barnett cast his first vote for General Grant and has since been an 
active factor in local politics. He was elected trustee of lola township, 
and by election and appointment has served for six terms in that office. In 
religious faith he is connected with tiie Society of Friends, but there is no 
church of his denomination in the neighborhood. His has been a useful 
and active life and there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil over 
the public or private career of William Thomas Barnett. 



>l 



JAMES B. PEES, of Liberty neighborhood, Allen county, is one of the 
homesteaders of lola township. He came to the county in March, 
1S71, and entered an eighty acre tract in section 18, township 24, range 
18, the same year. He established himself among the settlers we.st of the 
Neosho river, married one of their pioneer women and has maintained him- 
self a useful honorable and appreciated citizen. 

In tracing up the genealogy of Mr. Pees we find him to be a son of 
Nicholas Pees, a farmer who was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1798. In 1854 he emigrated to Ohio -md settled in Cham- 
paign county, where he died in 1869. He was a son of John Pees, likewise 
a native of the Keystone state, whose parents crossed the mountains into 
western Pennsylvania in the first settlement of that region. Whether this 
ancestor or his immediate relatives had any connection with the military of 
the United States during its early wars is not certain, now It is probable 
that they were Democratic patriots for Nicholas Pees affiliated with that 
l)olitical party until the issues of the war made him a Republican. 

Nicholas Pees married Susan Ingle who died in Allen county May 15, 
1885, and is buried at Piqua. Their children are: Ruth A., wife of James 
McGlumphy, of Pittsburg Pennsylvania; Joanna, who married John Mc- 
Crary and died near Keokuk, Iowa, in 1S4S; Mary, whose first husband 
was Edmon Loyd, resides in Champaign county, Ohio, and is the wife of 
John Shields; Sarah, who died single; Tephanes, deceased, was married to 
Joseph McAphee, and James B. Pees, our subject. He was married to E. 
A. Dennison October 3, 187S. 

Mr. Pees was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 
1842. He was reared in Champaign county, Ohio. Irom the age of twelve 
years and acquired a fair knowledge of books from the country schools of 
his day. With the excejition of the years he spent in the army he re- 
mained with his father till the latter's death. Soon after that event he 
decided to come to Kansas and grow up with the county of Allen. He re- 



WO(JDSON COfXTIES, KANSAS. 507 

sided a short time on his small tract on Elm creek adjoining lola but for 
more than a quarter of a century has maintained his residence near the 
eighty he homesteaded in the year 1871. 

October 3rd, 1878, Mr. Pees married Eliza Dennison whose second 
husband was Lewis Dennison and whose father was Carver Gunn. The 
Gunns were Massachusetts people and Carver married Lncy Arvilla Owen, 
a Connecticut lady. Their surviving heirs are Osman Gunn, of Polk 
county, Mis.souri; Eliza, wife of our subject; Clay Gunn, of Polk county, 
Missouri; Addie, wife of Taylor Hadlock, of Ciawford county, Kansas; 
Bettie, who married John Reed and resides in Bolivar, Missouri, and Rufus 
B. Gunn, of the same point. 

Mrs. Pees' first husband was Jasper Hillbrant one of the first --ettlers of 
Allen county. He preempted the nortliwest quarter of section 24. town- 
ship 24, range 17, and died here in r862. leaving a son, William G. Hill- 
brant, of lola township. Mr. Hillbrant came into Kansas from Missouri 
and was in company with Henry Hillbrant who served in the Second Kan- 
sas, died in the service and is buried in Leavenworth. The enviroimient of 
this young couple was certainly frontier from 1S56 to 1S60. There were 
not more than four or live families in the woods and on the prairies in the 
Liberty neighborhood in those days: The Berrys, Parkers, Gardners, 
Blacks and McQuiggs, but all went well with them till the year i860 when 
the great drouth overtook their crops. Their first year's provisions they 
brought with them and they sold flour to people about the country includ- 
ing L. L. Northrup who was running a store at Geneva. Mrs. Pees re- 
turned to Missouri after her husband's death and was not again a resident 
of Kansas till 1867 when she returned with her second husband. 

Mrs. Pees has a sou by her second marriage, Thomas Dennison, of 
Tola, who is married to Hattie Bassett, and a daughter, Lillian M., wife of 
R. S. Russ, Superintendent of .Schools at Pittsburg, Kansas. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pees are the parents of two children, Guy E. Pees and Lacy A., wife 
of Charles E. Monell. 

Mr. Pees enlisted in September 1861 in the Second Ohio Infantry, 
Company D, Captain James Warnock, with L. A. Harris, colonel of the 
regiment. The regiment began its service in eastern Kentucky and did 
much skirmishing along down the river to Louisville and Bowling Green. 
It was with Mitchell's division on the tour through Tennessee and Alabama 
to Huntsville, at which point the return journey was begun in the nature 
of a retreat toward Louisville. On the way north the battle of Perryville 
was fought. The Murfreesboro or Stone River engagement followed in 
December of the same year. In the Chicamauga fight Mr. Pees was cut off 
from his command and taken prisoner. He was taken to Bell Island and 
remained two weeks before his transfer to Libby prison, at Richmond. In 
two months he was again moved, this time to Danville, Virginia, and was 
there imprisoned till March 1864. At each of the.se removals it was re- 
ported that an exchange of prisoners was being conducted and in this way 
the boys in blue were deceived into journeying from one prison to another 
without an effort at escape. Mr. Pees was taken to Andersonville prison 



508 HISTORY OF ALiLEN AN!) 

from Danville and in March 1865 was taken to a parole camp ten miles 
e:»st of \''icksburg, Mississippi, and actually exchanged. He was put 
aboard the illfated "Sultana," with twenty-two hundred men aboard, and 
started north. Seven miles above Memphis a boiler explosion destroyed 
and sank the boat and fourteen hundred o! the men were lost. Mr. Pees 
was thrown into the water and chanced to gather up a plank upon which 
with a few others, he floated down to Memphis He was badly burned 
and was placed in the Gaoso hospital where he remained two weeks, when 
he was again shipped atioard a Mississippi steamer and landed at Cairo, 
Illinois. He proceeded immediately to Columbus, Ohio, renching home 
June 5, 1865. 

Farming wis what had been taught .Mr. Pees before he put on a .sol- 
dier's uniform and it was but natural that the farm should receive him 
again when his military duties were over. He consented to remain in the 
east only so long as his father survived and when he died our subject's 
advent to Kansas .soon followed. His history in Allen county is sumi^ed 
up in the words "work" and 'hope." He has worked incessantly and 
hoped for reward in proportion to his industry. After thirty years of ex- 
perience on the plains of Kansas he finds himself surrounded with ample 
substance to provide old age with the comforts of life. He resides in the 
midst of a community whose confidence he possesses in the highest degree 
and the welfare of whose citizens is a matter of his ptrsonal interest and 
concern. 



EDWIN P. MINOR.— The late Edwin P. Minor, of lola, came to Kan- 
sas with the colony of Massachusetts emigrants who settled at Law- 
rence in 1S56 to aid in making this a free state. The Emigration Aid As- 
.sociation of Massachusetts gathered together a party of two hundred and 
fortveight people and sent them to Lawrence in 1856 and they were picked 
up all the way from New England to Chicago. The Minors joined the 
train in Huron county , Ohio, and the trip was made by rail to Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Ohio, and by wagon to Lawrence. Missouri was not a safe state in 
which to find Free State people on their intended mission to Kansas and, 
to avoid trouble the company came through Iowa, Nebraska and into Kan- 
sas trom the north. Mr. Minor was a carpenter and he woiked at his trade 
the first winter in Lawrence and the next season he went onto a farm and 
made that occupation his business henceforward. In 1859 he went into 
Greenwood county, Kansas, and took a claim and left it only when he felt 
it his duty to go into the aimy. While in the service his wife returned to 
Ohio and was joined there by her husband after the war ended. They re- 
mained some years in the east, returning in 1873, to Kansas, and taking up 
their residence in Allen county. Mr. Minor resided one-half mile east of 
lola for more than twenty years and was engaged in farming and dairying. 
He sold his farm in 1894 and became a citizen of lola, dying here in 1899. 



%TOODSOM COtTNTIES, KANSAS. 509 

Edwin P. Minor was born in Huron county, Ohio, July 16, 1831. He 
nvas a son of Cyrus Minor, who went into Ohio early and back to Connecti- 
'■cut and again to Ohio from Hartford. Connecticut, in 1847. Cyr&s Minor 
was a miller and was married to Sarah Hall. They lived in Connecticut 
until Mr. Minor was sixteen years old and then moved back to Ohio. 
Their children were; Erastus, of Portland, Oregon; Charles, of Huron 
county, Ohio; Wallace, of California; Mitchell, of Los Angeles, California; 
William, of Huron county, Ohio; Lucy, wife of Charles Clark, of Michi- 
gan; Olive, wife of James Wilson, Tiffin, Ohio, and our subject. 

Edwin P. Minor settled in Ohio in 1847. He learned the carpenter 
trade at the age of eighteen to twenty-one and became one of the early 
bridge carpenters on railroad construction in Ohio. He made his trade his 
support whilehe remained in the east and followed it periodically in the 
■west. He enlisted in the Fifth Kansas Cavalry the second year of the 
war and took part in the battles of Pine Bluff, Helena and Dry Wood, 
among others. He was in the western department and was out three years 
and three months. 

Mr. Minor was married in Huron <;ounty, Ohio, May 17, 185 1, to 
Laura, a daughter of Dan Clark. The Clarks were from Litchfield county, 
Connecticut, and Daniel's wife was Almena Guthrie. In early life he was 
a teacher but became a wholesale dry goods peddler later, and finally a 
farmer. Mrs. Minor survives of their household, as does also Oliver Clark, 
of Lucas county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Minor's children are: Ellis, born 
in 1852, married Eliza Anderson and resides in New Mexico; Hermosa; 
Frank G. , born in 1855, of Denver, Colorado, and Lewis Minor, born 1859, 
resides in lola. 



TT EXRY ANDERSON EWING was born in Bloomington, Illinois, 
-*- -*■ August 9, 1841. His father was John W. Ewing, who was born in 
Statesville, North Carolina, February 9, 1808, and was of Scotch-Irisli 
descent. His mother was Maria Stevenson who was born November 4, 
1802, at Statesville, North Carolina. Her father was James Stevenson who 
was born at the same place in 1762, tlie son of Gabriel Stevenson who came 
to North Carolina from Pennsylvania in 1760. Both the Ewing and 
Stevenson families came originally from the Scotch settlement in London- 
derry, Ireland. 

The children of John W. and Maria Ewing were: Adlai (died in 
infancy) Nancy J., James S., John W., William G., Henry A., Adlai T. 
Of these all are living except the first who, as noted, died in infancy. 
James S. Ewing served as United States mini.ster to Belgium during the 
last Cleveland administration. William G. Ewing was for four years — 
1885-9 — United States District Attorney for the northern district of Illinois, 
and was later Judge of the Superior court of Chicago. 

Henry A. Ewing spent his boyhood and youth in Bloomington in at- 



5IO HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

tendance upon the city schools, acquiring a good working education. He 
responded to the call for volunteers when the war came on, enlisting as a 
private May 25, 1861, in Company E, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. He 
was offered a commission as captain, hut modestly declined. His regiment 
very soon got into active service and as a part of the Army of the Tennessee 
took part in the campaigns from Donelson to Atlanta, participating in the 
battle of Shiloh and in the battles and sieges leading up to the capture of 
Vicksburg. The regiment made a better than average fighting record, 
traveling during the four years of its existence upward of 10,000 miles and 
fighting over country from Macon, Missouri, to the sea, and from Leaven- 
worth to Washington, and H. A. Ewing bore his share of the gallant and 
arduous service. On April 6, 1862, after the battle of Shiloh, he was made 
a sergeant, and on July 12, 1863, was promoted to second lieutenant, 
with which rank he was mustered out June 18, 1864, at the expiration of 
his term of enlistment. 

Returning to Bloomington, he was elected sheriff and tilled that office 
two years. He then began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 
1867, practicing in Bloomington until December, 1883, with no interrup- 
tion except that occasioned by a term in the Illinois legislature to whicii 
he w-as elected in 1879. In 18S3 he came to Tola, Kansas, and since that 
time has been engaged in the practice of his profession and in conducting 
his large farm near the city. In 1S88 he was elected county attorney and 
in 1890 was re-elected — the only county attorney who has been awarded a 
second term in recent j"ears. He is a Presbyterian and a Republican. 

Mr. Ewing was married March 28, t866, to Elizabeth Julia Merrimaii, 
who was born in Berkshire county. Massachusetts. 

Mrs. Ewing's father was Henry Me:riman, who was born at 
Hinsdale, Massachusetts, and was the son of Daniel Merriman, who 
was born at Dalton, Massachusetts, and the grandson of Jesse Merriman, 
also born in Massachusetts. Mrs. Ewing's mother was Sarah T. Bodurtha, 
who was born in Berkshire county, Ma.ssachusetts, the daughter of Harvey 
Bodurtha and Dolly Taylor. 

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were: Henry Wallis, 
(married August 5, 1893, to Alice Sweet, of Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, and 
whose children are Henry Wallis, Abbie Jane, Lucius Winchester and 
Lawrence Bodurtha); May Brevard, (wife of Charles F. Scott) Adlai 
Merriman, (married June 16, 1896, to Ella Taylor, to whom has been born 
one child, Annie McMillin), Elliott Winchester (deceased) ;Richard Avery, 
Ruth Steven.son and Sarah Katherine. 

Henry A. Ewing is now associated in the practice of law with C. A. 
Savage, and the firm of Ewing & Savage is acknowledged to be one of the 
foremost at the Allen county bar. 



ORLANDO HUNTER— The Hunters are among the familiar faces on 
the streets of lola. The brothers, Orlando and Joseph, have been 
in Allen county a great many years, the former having arrived here 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 5: I 

December 24, 1869. He was directlj' from Ceiitralia, Illinois, to lola but 
was born at Marietta, Ohio, October 31, 1845. Joseph Hunter, our subject's 
father, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1S15. He was 
reared on a farm and was a son of William Hunter who di«d in the Key- 
stone State about 1839. It is thought the family ancestors were Irish peo- 
ple who went into the Atlantic coast states at a very early date. Joseph 
Hunter, the second, settled at Marietta, Ohio, and was one of the finest 
cabinet makers of his day. A work-box which lie presented to his 
affianced wife, and which is yet in her possession, inlaid with different 
woods and studded with pearls, surpasses anything coming fiom the work- 
shops of our later day mechanics. On the 28th ot May, 1850, he was 
drowned in the Muskingum river, a few months prior to the birth of his 
younger son. He married Harriet Alcock, a daughter of William Alcock, 
a worthy representative of one of the e-steemed families of Marietta. 
\\'illiam Alcock was born in Cheshire, England, January 31, 1786. He 
married Sallie Posey, who was born March 3, 1788. Their children were: 
W. B., who died at Chanute, Kansas, the father of Mrs. A. L. Taylor, of 
Tola; Nelson S., who died at Geneva, Kansas in 1892; Drusy, who married 
Ed S. Davis, and died in lola; Aurilla, who became the wife of Thomas 
Sinnamon and died in DesMoines, Iowa, Harriet, mother of our suliject, 
born November 20, 1824; Mary, wife of B. W. Jeffries, who died at Ottum- 
wa, Iowa; George W., who died in Brooklyn, New York, and Charles T. 
Alcock, of Marietta, Ohio. 

Harriet(Alcock)Hunter married Hugh Means February 28, 1864. The 
latter was born in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and spent four years in 
the looth Pennsylvania infantry. Ninth army corps. He was Brigade Post 
Master in Rosecrans Corps and was born in 1S20 and died in February, 1S94. 

Orlando and Joseph Hunter grew up in Ohio and in Illinois. The 
latter was born November 9, 1850, and both attended only the district 
schools in their boyhood. In February, 1864, Orlando Hunter enlisted in 
Company D, 77th Ohio infantry. Captain Sim McNaughton, Colonel 
William B. Mason. He joined his regiment at Marietta and proceeded to 
Little Rock, Arkansas. The regiment joined Steele's command which was 
ordered to reinforce General Banks. It went out to Camden and met the 
enemy in such iorce that it was forced back to Little Rock. The battles of 
Okalona, Jenkins Ferry and the capture of Camden were the chief engag- 
nients in which our subject participated and he was discharged at Little 
Rock, October 10, 1864, the same year of his enlistment. 

Mr. Hunter spent the first few years after the war roaming over the 
west, through Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, reaching his final stopping place 
just before the close of the year 1869. December i, 1871, he was married 
in Chautauqua count)', Kansas, to Fannie E. Beaver, whose parents were 
from Gold Hill, North Carolina. Mrs. Hunter died in 1883. Her children 
were; Nettie, wife of Wm. O. Lees, of lola; Mrs. Lees was born December 
I, 1874; Dan Hunter, of lola, born December 18, 1876, and Bertha May 
Hunter, born May 9, 1883. Mrs. Hunter was born July 16, 1852, and died 
in Cliautauqua count)', Kan.sas. 



5I2 HISTORY OF ALLEX A^^D 

MISS CLIFFORD A. MITCHELL, superinteiuient of the Tola public- 
schools, one of the popular educators of Kansas and a lady whose 
intellectual and professional attainments have won her an enviable place in 
the confuience and respect of the people of lola, has just completed her 
tenth year in Kansas. She was born in Clark county, Ohio, and was 
reared there to her seventeenth year. She was educated 'in the schools of 
New Carlyle and in the Nornuil school for training teachers at Dayton, 
Ohio, Her introduction tothejx)lite profession occurred in Ohio, but after 
her first year there, she followed her parents to Kansas and has since been 
prominently identified with educational work in this State. Her first years 
in her adopted State were spent in Fredonia as principal of the high school. 
At the beginning of the autumn term of 1893 she entered the high school at 
lola as its principal and maintained herself admirably in that position 
till her final promotion in 1899 when she became City Superintendent 
of Schools. 

Miss Mitchell is a daughter of Asa N. Mitchell of lola, a native son of 
"the best State in the Union outside of Kansas," and was born September 
9, 1840. The latter is a son of James Mitchell who was born at Jamestown, 
Virginia, in 1803, and who died in Clark county, Ohio, in 1859. During 
the eatly life of the last named he was engaged in the nursery business but 
his last years were passed in New Carlyle as a hotel-keeper. The paternal 
great-grandfather of our subject was a Scotch-Irishman. He settled at 
Jamestown, Virginia, and was the father of five sons and a daughter. 
The whole family emigrated to Ohio as pioneers and reared faruilies there. 

Asa N. Mitchell's mother was Elizabeth, a daughter of Philip Swigart. 
Herchildren were: Mary F. , deceased, married Denny Minrow; Asa N., 
and Lida, wife of Edward H. Fnnston, of Allen county. Asa N. Mitchell 
became a teacher, when grown, and was engaged in the work in Taylors- 
ville, Kentucky, when the war came on. He enlisted the first year of the 
war in the i6th Ohio Battery, with two other Allen county men, E. H. 
Funston and James W. McClure, and was mustered aboard a steam- 
boat between CinciuTiati, Ohio, and Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the 
troops di.sembarked. The l)atlery crossed the ct)untry to St. Louis and over 
into the interior of the State and, from Pilot Knob, crossed the State into 
Arkansas, bound for Helena. The i6th battery was with Hovey's Division 
during the Vicksburg campaign and was with Sherman at Jackson, Missis- 
sippi. Following the close of this campaign the battery went down the 
river to New Orleans and, soon thereafter, crossed the Gulf of Matagorda, 
Te.xas, to join the forces intended for the interception of the Confederates 
when Banks should defeat and drive them out of Arkansas. Banks' failure 
to do his part made it necessary for the immediate return of the Federal 
forces to New Orleans and when they did Asa N. Mitchell was mustered 
out, his enlistment having expired. 

Upon taking up civil life Mr. Mitchell became a bank clerk in Upper 
Sandusky, Ohio. From the bank he engaged in the fruit and nursery 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 513 

business and has remained so, in the main, before and i^ince his advent to 
Kansas. 

In April, 1S6S, Mr. Miti:hell married Fannie E. , a daughter of the Rev. 
E Rogers Johnson, a graduate of Bowdoin, College, a classmate of Henrv 
W. Longfellow, and who carried off the honors of his class. He entered the 
ministry at New Carlyle, Ohio — his first charge — and died in fhe service of 
the same church. His wife was Julia Colton and three of their four children 
reside in Clark county, Ohio. 

The first child of A. N. and Mrs. Mitchell is Clifford A. Mitchell Their 
other children are Lieutenant Burton J. Mitchell, on the >taff of Brigadier 
General Funst'tn, in the Philippines, and Miss Florence Mitchell, one of 
Allen county's young teachers, and a graduate of the lola high school. 

Miss Mitchell is remarkably gifted and endowed as a teacher. Hers 
is a strong combination of intellect and a genius for directing affairs. 
While she is always the controlling influence in her educational work she 
is happily the confidante of her pupils. Her sincerity of purpose and her 
grace of manner attract both patron and pupil and all work together in 
liarmon\ for the strength and efficiency of one of the be.st schools in Kansas. . 
Miss Mitchell maintains her station as Superintendent well in her 
attendance upon county and State associations and in meeting ably 
the requirements, of tho.se bodies when responding to her number upon 
the urogram. 



fOHX E. IRELAND, lola's efficient ex-postmaster and one of the old 
'-' residents of Allen county, was born in Devonshire, England, December 
18, 182S. Robert Ireland, his father, was a carpenter and master mechanic 
who passed his years of activity in the city of Liverpool. He married Maria 
Eggbeer, who was also a Devon, and both of whom died in England's 
great port of entry. Of their ten children John Eg.gbeer Ireland was their 
eighth. His early life was spent as an errand boy and pupil. At the age 
of fourteen he went to the tailor's trade in Liverpool. Having served his 
time and c(3mpleted his trade he came, in 1849, to the United States. He 
was ten weeks in coming over on the sailer and entered through the 
famous Castle Garden. He got a job on the dock in New York City, load- 
ing vessels with cotton and remained with it till the first of January follow- 
ing. He went up into Schuyler county, New York, and worked at his 
trade at Havana. Some time later he located in Geaeseo and was in that 
city when the war broke out. He enlisted in the 5otli New York Engineers, 
as first Sergeant, and was promoted to Sergeant Major of his regiment. He 
was with the Army of the Potomac and saw how it was done and helped do 
it all the way from first Bull Run, Petersburg, Yorktown, Seven Pines, 
Fredericksburg, Seven Days, and Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, Wilder- 
ness and the rest, till his muster out in 1864. In all this conspicuous and 
hard service he escaped personal injury, in the field, and retired from the 



514 HISTOKV OF ALLKX AXI) 

armv with a CDiiscionsiiessof haviii>; (ioiic his lull duty to his adopted countrv. 

After he was discharged Mr. Ireland \v:)rked at his trade in New York 
Cit}- till the 2ist of February, 1S65, when he came westward to Galva, 
Illinois. He remained in that city at his trade till 1870 when he was in- 
duced to come to lolato work for Davis &. \'annuys, then in the clothing 
business. He arrived here in June and began a long and pleasant residence 
in the little western metropolis. The year 1874-5 l^e spent with W. W. 
Scott in Winfield, Kan.sas, as a tailor in his clothing establishment, and 
upon his return to lola he established his first independent tailor shop. In 
1878 he went into the grocery business with Sam J. Cowan, He was a 
member of the well known firm of Richards, Lakin & Ireland, wholesale 
grocers, who were burned out in 1882, later on. After severing this latter 
connection he went into the livery business with S. T. Ellis. In 1885 he 
retired from thi.s business to enter the post office as Post Master of lola — the 
first and only Democrat to fill the office. His four years of public service 
was most satisfactory to the )>atrons of the office. At the expiration of his 
term a Republican succeeded liim and he again went into the grocery 
business, this time with Eugene Esse. The firm burned out some months 
afterward and business was not resumed. When it was seen that another 
Democratic Post Master was to serve the lola office, with one accord the pat- 
rons of the office looked to John Ireland as the rightful appointee.. They were 
not disappointed, for in 1894 he succeeded his successor, William H. Mc- 
Clure, to the office. His second administration was even more popular 
than his first. His former experience had rendeied him perfectly 
familiar with the office and his second office force was more desirable than 
the first. Since the fall of 1897 he has been in actual retirement from 
Inisiness. 

Mr. Ireland was married in Schuyler county, New York, to Hattie 
Littlefield. Their two children died in infancy but, after coming to lola 
they adopted Sadie Prentis, who became the wife of George Kirby and 
has a son. Jay Kirby. 

John E. Ireland is a very quiet man, without assumption or show, but 
with all the elements of a real manly man. His relation to his fellow- 
townsmen is most cordial and affable His homestead, which he purchased 
at what seemed a fabulous price, when he came to lola. he has beautified 
and adorned with -shrubbery, and residence and lawn until it is one of the 
handsome homes in the citv. 



\ A WILLIAM JOHNSON HUCK, lola's well known painter and 
" " paper-hanger and a Kansas pioneer, was born in Ohio October 
21. 1845. He is a son of the late Abraham Huck, of West Minster, British 
Columbia, and was brought west and into Anderson county, Kansas, in 
i860. He located upon a claim thirteen miles .south of Garnett and did 
farming and blackstnithing, as a civilian, till 1S65 when he located eight 



WOOUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 515 

miles south of Butler, Missouri. In 1S71 he began a series of moves which 
finally brought him to the point where he died in 1S92. He was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1817 and was a son of Jacob Huck, a German-American. 
The latter died in Williamson county, Illinois. He was the father of five 
children. Abraham Huck served in Company L, Fourteenth Kansas 
Volunteer Cavalry, as a private, and was discharged for disability in 1865. 
He married Nancy Gentry, whose father was from near Vincennes, Indi- 
ana. Mrs. Huck died in West Minster, British America, in 1893. Their 
children are William J. Huck, of lola, Kansas; Jacob, who died at sixteen 
years; Mary E., wife of John Turner, who resides in Vancouver, British 
America, Martha A., wife of George Grimmer, of West Minster, British 
Columbia; Caroline, deceased, and Cynthia, who married in British Colum- 
bia and resides at Chillwhack, on the Frazier river in British Columbia. 

"Billy" Huck was educated sparingly in the pioneer schools of Kan-, 
sas. He enlisted in Company L, Fourteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry 
November 10, 1863, and was under Captain Harris and Colonel Briggs. 
He w&s mustered in at Cane Hill, Arkansas, and his service consisted, in 
the main, in fighting Bushwhackers in the Territory and Arkansas. The 
nearest approach to an engagement with which his regiment had to do was 
at Cabin Creek, Indian Territory. His company was one detached at Fort 
Scott to take a train of supplies down to F^ort Smith, Arkansas. The little 
command was surrounded at Cabin Creek and the train captured with 
many of Company L,- Mr. Huck made his escape to other Federal forces 
and was stationed at Fort Gibson at the close of the war. He was dis- 
charged at Lawrence, Kansas, August 22, 1865. He spent five years suc- 
ceeding the war in Bates county, Missouri, tarming and when Wakefield & 
Company, through their agent, Henry Waters, made him an offer to engage 
with them he accepted and traveled over Kansas and Missouri selling 
medicines till 1874. With his accumulations he came to Allen county and 
went onto a farm, remaining only two years, then coming into lola. In 
lola he has become widely known as an artist in his business of painting 
and paper-hanging. He is best known for his absolute leliability and 
among the old settlers to say that "Billy Huck" did a certain piece of work 
was a sufficient guarantee of the efficiency and honesty of the job. 

Mr. Huck was married near L,econipton, Kansas, F'ebruary i2, 1874, 
to Agatha, a daughter of George Rose, who came from West Virginia to 
Kansas in 1863. Mrs. Huck was born May 20, 1856. Her sister, Agnes, 
is the wife of J. A. Stuck, of Dexter, Kansas, and her brother is James 
Rose, of Franklin county, Kansas. 

Mr. and Mrs. Huck's children are: Hattie, born July 25, 1875; Mary, 
born January 9, 1883; O.scar, born January 17, 1S85, and Earl and Ernest 
Huck, twins, born February g, i8go. 

Mr. Huck is one of the well known Republicans of lola. 



5l6 HISTOKV OH ALLIiN AND 

GR.GARD. — In a profession where advancenieiU depends upon indi- 
• vidiial merit G. R. Gard has attained a prominent position, beiua; 
one of the leading representatives of the bar of Allen countv. He has won 
distinction throngh his devotion to his clients' interests and through his 
masterly handling of the intricate problems of jurisprudence that have been 
connected with the trial of cases in which he has been retained as advocate 
either for the defense or prosecution. Thus he has long since left the 
ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. 

Ml. Gard was born December lo, 1868, in Cumberland county, Illi- 
nois, and was reared upon a farm belonging to his father, Jacob Gard, who 
is represented elsewhere in this volume. Through the winter months he 
pursued his education in the common schools and during the summer 
season a.ssisted in the labors of field and garden. The sports of youth also 
claimed some of his attention and in this manner the days of his minority 
were passed. He manifested special aptitude in his studies and showed 
p.irticular fondness f jr intellectual advancement. It was this that led him 
to earn the money with which to pursue a college course. He spent the 
winter of 1888-9 in the Valparaiso Normal College of Valparaiso, Indiana, 
and then returned to his father's farm where he remained until the autumn 
of 1890, when at the request of his brother Samuel, who was then a rising 
young lawyer in Bronson, Kansas, he came to this state and began the 
study of law. 

On the 5th of January, 1S93, Mr. Gard was admitted to the bar at Fort 
Scott, and in order to seek a wider field for his l.ibors removed from Bron- 
son to Humboldt, Allen county, in April of the same year. No dreary 
novitiate awaited him in his practice, for he soon gained a good clientage 
and became a popular attorney. He received the Republican nomination 
for county attorney in 1898 and to that office was elected by an overwhelm- 
ing majority. He entered upon its duties in January 189S and in May of 
the same year removed his family to r)la, the county seat, where he en- 
tered into partnership with his brother, S. A. Gard, under the firm name of 
Gard & Gard. His official course was most commendable. He espoused 
the cause of the people with the firm conviction that crime should and 
musi be suppressed and the laws of the state respected and obeyed. His 
labors resulted in the uprooting of a number of crimes in Allen county, and 
the perpetrators brought before a court of justice. He foimed no entang- 
ling alliances in societies or organizations that could effect his faithful dis- 
charge of duty and allowed nothing to interfere with the administration of 
even-handed justice. He also avoided unnecessan- expense as the legal 
advisor of the county and that his cour.se was highly satisfactory to the 
public is shown by the fnct that he was tendered the nomination of the Re- 
publican party for re-election in the fall of 1899. Owing to the great in- 
crease in the civil practice in the firm ot vvliich he is a member, Mr. Gard 
declined the nomination for a second term and retired to private life. 

Wiiile residing in Humboldt he met and married Miss Katie Gallagher 
whose father, John Gallagher, was one of the honored early pioneers of 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 517 

K.ansas. She was born in Woodson county, this state, and prior to her 
marriage was engaged in the millinery business in Humboldt. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gard were married August 29, i8g6, and they now have an interest- 
ing family of three children, a son and two daughters. Theif friends in 
the community are many and they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes 
of Io!a. A man of earnest purpose and strong determination with a com- 
prehensive knowledge of law and a high appreciation for his profession, 
which is the conservator of justice and the protector of life, prosperity and 
liberty, Mr. Gard has already gained a distinctively representative clientage 
and undoubtedly has a successful future before him. 



JOHN HALL KUDER, Superintendent of the Ida Brick Company's, 
works, is one of the recent additions to the citizenship of Allen county. 
He came here in 1897 ^^^ ^^00^ charge of the manufacture of brick for his 
company and is responsible for the success, in a great measure, which this 
company and its projectors have enjoyed. 

Mr. Kuder was born in Iowa, August 31, 1857, and is a son of a promi- 
nent retired farmer and stock man, George W. Kuder, who resides near 
Muscatine, Iowa, and who was born in Germany in 1803. He went into 
Iowa in 1841 from the State of Ohio and was one of the most successful 
men of his county. He fir.st married a Miss Kurtz, whose three children 
were; Nicholas and Mrs Mahala Brown, of Muscatine, Iowa, and Madama, 
wife of Isaac McGill, of Davenport, Iowa. George Kuder's second wife 
was Sarah Oliva Crawford, daughter of James Crawford, people with Scotch- 
Irish antecedents. This wife was the mother of our subject. Her people 
were from Harrison county, Ohio. She died in 1857, leaving an only son, 
John H. Kuder. George Kuder married for his third wife, Sarah Ever- 
sole. Their children are: Frank, wife of John Thompson, of Wappelo, 
Iowa; Nellie, of Minneapolis, Minnesota: Guy S. Kuder, of Louisa county, 
Iowa, and Clyde and Earl Kuder, of Columbus Junction, Iowa. 

Our subject was reared arotind Winfield and Muscatine, Iowa, by an 
uncle. William Crawford. He was left with a considerable legacy from his 
mother's estate and he learned to travel and sightsee in his youth. He 
undertook to learn the drug business but was coun ioled that it was hazardous 
to his health and he dropped it. He tried farming but he found this irk- 
some and somewhat difficult and he abandoned it. He got into the service 
of one of the Iowa telephone construction companies prior to his farm 
venture and received an injury — ran a hedge thorn into his knee — which 
permanently disabled the same. On leaving the farm and without previous 
experience he engaged in the business of contracting and building and, 
strange to say, he made some money at it. Leaving this work, he engaged 
to travel for the Thompson- Houston Electric Light Company for the sale of 
their goods, putting in light plants over the country. Eight years with 
this company sufficed and he severed his connection to engage in the 



5lS HISTORY OF ALLEN AJTO 

electric light business in Cotfeyville, Kansas. From this he got into the 
gas business but failed to reach the strong flow of gas and disposed of his 
holdings for what ' little they would bring and made his first start in the 
brick business. He took the position c)f engineer in the Coffey ville Vitrified 
Brick Plant, was promoted to foreman of the machinery and generally 
assisted in the manufacture of brick. His reputation at Coffeyville found 
its way to lola, at a time when the latter place was searching for the right 
man, and he was offered a proposition, advantageous to himself, accepted 
rt and still holds the position. He went to Coffeyville in 1887 and came to- 
lola in iSgj. 

In his comparatively short life Mr. Kuder has probably met with more 
physical misfortunes than any other man of his age. His first serious in 
jury was the falling from a telephone pole and running of a thorn into his 
knee. White swelling followed and made a lasting injury. He next fell 
from the top of a high barn onto the floor and lay unconscious twenty-four 
hours. A horse kicked him and broke hisskull, and while in the brick plant 
at Coffeyville he got his foot into a drypan and mashed the instep. Lastly, at 
lola, he was caught in the connecting shaft to the cut off table and he came out 
of it all with the left arch of his forehead crushed, the back of his head caved 
in, his left arm and shoulder broken, five libs snapped off, and right arm 
and leg bruised. The remarkable nerve which he displayed when these 
wounds were being dressed, marked him as one of the most courageous and 
determined men to be found anywhere. 

.Mr. Kuder was married at Winfield, Kansas, in 1887, to Adelia, a 
daughter of D. P. Williams, whose early home was in Mississippi. Mr. and 
,VIrs. Knder's children are: Daisy M. and George Leo. 

Mr. Kuder's Republicanism is well known. His father is a rabid 
Democrat and, during the war even held opinions antagonistic to the 
union of the States. Our subject has no time for an active interest in 
politics but he does his duty as a citizen and as often as the opportunity 
occurs. He has and holds the highest regard of his townsmen. 



ROBERT L. THOMPSON— In his early life Robert L. Thompson was 
encompassed by those environments which have ever fostered the 
spirit of personal independence and self-reliance, and which have produced 
the self-made men who form the bulwark of our nation's prosperity and her 
wonderful indu.strial development. At an early age he started out in life 
for himself empty handed and today he is accounted one of the leading and 
prosperous farmers of Allen county. 

Mr. Thompson was born January 4, i860, in Waterman, Park county, 
Indiana, a son of Robert N. and Elizabeth D. (Truman) Thompson. The 
father was born in Indiana in 1S30, and in Park county, in 1855, married 
Miss Truman, who was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, in 1820. He 
died in 1868, and she afterward became the wife of James D. Roberts, with 



•WOODSON COXTNTrcs, KANSAS -•> , -^ 

^vhom she removed to Iowa in ,870, and to Kansas in 1872. thev located 
■HI vvhat was at that time Howard county, now ChatUauqua and ijlk 
•counties The mother d,ed near Tola in 1889, being cared for bv >iJt sons 
By her first niarnage she has two sons: Charles ^L. who is Jththe 
Lanyon Zinc Company at tola, and Robert L. 

1 f. J" ^^74. at the age of fourteen years, Mr. Thompson, of this review 
eft honie and went to Humboldt, Kansas. His only capital with which to 
begin t>usiness life was a strong determination to succeed and a nair n 
willing hands. For a year he worked on a farm of J S Fast who was 
afterw^ard register of deeds in. Allen county, and who to^k great in^eesh 
helping the boy. Mr Thompson received as renumeration V his service" 
fo. the year, his board and clothing, four months schooling and twentv-five 
dollars in money. During the greater part of the time through the succeed 
ing eight years he was in the employ of ex-Sheriff Hodson Throtiah 
perseverance, indefatigable energy and capable business managemenT he 
lias become one of the prosperous farmers of Allen countv, and in addiiion 
to the cultivation of his fields he is successfullv engaged "in deSin^in s ort 
horn cattle and Polan China hogs. ' * " " "' ueaiiii^., in short 

TT„K?"i''^''^"^^u"''' \^^'' ^'- Thompson wedded Miss Perinelia C 
Hubbard, who was born Julv ,v, 1S64, and is a daughter of Samuel F 
Hubbard, a nativeof North Carolina, and one of the honored pioneers of 
Allen county, of 1857. She has one brother and two 'sisters livfna A d 
Hubbard, of Memphis, Tennessee; Louisa, wife of J. F Ni<.h 'of Allen 
county, and Mrs. Charles M. Thompson, of lola. Unto our subject and h 
wife have been born eight children: Blanche, Clyde, Grace, Truman Frank 
Ruth and Robert L. , all at home, and Eugene, who died at the a^^e of seventeen 
months. In politics Mr. Thompson is a Republican, and haf always bee " 
an active worker in the party. Socially he is connected with the Inde 
pendent Order o Odd Fellows. His life plainly indicates that pros- 
fr^ n the^mat " "^°" ^'""''' "P°" '"^"'"'^" °' "P°" environment^ut 



PREDERICK FUNSTON, whose brilliant achieyements as a volunteer 

officer ,n the United States army in the Philippines have attracted 

the admiring attention of all the world, is an Allen county bov. and his old 

1865, the oldest child o Hon. Edward H. and Ann Eliza Funston but he 
came o Kansas with his parents when only two years old and hence 1 as 

ever known anj- other home. He grew up on the Carlyle farm , attendii ! 

he district schoo at North Maple Grove during the winter months and do g 
h.sshare of thefarm work during the summer. He was quick in hh 
books and ambitious to obtain an education; so at an early age he had mas 
tered the course of study in the country school and enfered the Hi4 
bchool at lola from which he graduated in 1886. Perhaps the first i^ie- 



520 HISTORY OF ALLEN" AXP 

pendent work in which he engaged was ta teach the school at the little 
stone school house, half way between Humboldt and lola, known all over 
the county as "Stoney Lonesome," from its material and its location, and 
a picture of which as it now appears is presented on another page in this 
history. As soon as he could accumulate some money with which to de- 
fray expenses he started to the Stale University which he attended at dif- 
ferent times for the next three or four years, but from which he never 
gfriduated. After leaving the University finally Funston engaged in news- 
paper work as a reporter, work which pleased him well and for which he 
hud a peculiar aptitude. After continuing in the newspaper business, at 
Kansas City and at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for some time, he secured a 
better paid position as collector on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
which he held until the summer of 1890, when he gave it up to accept an 
appointment as assistant with a party of botanists sent out from Washing- 
ton to secure specimens of the native grasses of Montana. He did this 
work so well, that when another party was detailed to go to the Death 
Valley region the following summer on a similar expedition, he was made 
a member of it. The hardships of this e.\pedition were so great that of the 
party of- uncommonly hardy men who entered upon, it more than one-half 
were permanently disabled in either mind or body, but Funston fortunately 
escaped sound and well. The next summer was spent among the Indians 
on the Alaskan coast, still in the employ of the Agricultural department, 
collecting specimens of the flora of the region. This work he did so well 
that when the Department wished to know what was growing in the in- 
terior oi Alaska F'unston was selected for the arduous and dangerous task. 
It was not a pleasant commission. It meant eighteen months of exile, 
many thousand miles of travel, largely through an unexplored country, 
and a winter the other side of the Arctic circle. But Fun^^ton entered upon 
it with his usual cheerfulness and energy. He climbed the famous Chil- 
coot pass, built a sled and pulled and sailed it across the frozen lakes, built 
a boat and floated it through the White Horse rapids, — a journey so full of 
toil and terrors that thousands of -trong men have failed to survive it — and 
joked about it in the letters he wrote home. He spent the long, long win- 
ter in an Indian village, where he was the only white man, taking for 
diversion the longest snow shoe journey ever made by a white man, barely 
escaping death from cold, exhaustion and starvation. When the slow spring 
finally came he set about gathering the plants for which he was sent, eventu- 
ally floating down the Yukon to its mouth where he was picked up by the 
United States revenue cutter Bear, and returned home by way of San 
Francisco, the expedition having been entirely successful. 

Resigning his position in the Agricultural department, Mr. Funston 
spent the winter of 1S94-5 on the lecture platform, telling the story of his 
Alaskan experiences. The summer and fall of 1895 he spent trying to 
organize a company to engage in the coffee business in Central America on 
a large scale. The enterprise required a laige sum of money and times 
were too hard to make success possible. Funston therefore gave up the 
project and went to New York where he was engaged for several months in 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 52 1 

writing newspaper and magazine articles and doing some work in the office 
of the Santa Fe railroad conipaiu'. While thus employed he became ac- 
quainted with the Cuban Junta, then engaged in promoting in all possible 
ways the revolt of the people of that island against Spain. The cause en- 
listed his sympathies and he was easily persuaded to accept a commission 
as captain of artillery in the insurgent army. Proceeding at once to Cuba 
he engaged in the contest with so much zeal and ability that within eigh- 
teen months he held a commission as Lieutenant Colonel and was in com- 
mand of all the artillery of General Gomez' army. The distinction had 
not been won without paying the price. Twice the young artillery officer 
had been wounded, once by a fragment of a shell which shattered his left 
fore-arm, and once by a Mauser bullet, which penetrated both lungs, pass- 
ing witliin three-quarters of an inch of his heart. He had suffered an attack 
(jf typhoid fever also, but it was a fall with his horse that finally sent him 
back to New York, with a running abscess in his hip' and with constitution 
apparently permanently wrecked. He went at once into a hospital where 
he submitted to an operation, and where he gradually gained strength 
enough to return to his home in Kansas. Although still far from well, he 
went upon the lecture platform, pleading the cause of the Cubans. 

When the war with Spain broke out and Kansas was called upon to 
furnish her quota of the troops required, Frederick Punston was appointed 
without solicitation by Governor John W. L,eed\-, Colonel of the Twentieth 
Kansas, the first Kansas regiment to be raised for service in the Spanish 
war. Soon after his appoint aient Colonel Funston was summoned to 
Tampa, Florida, by General Miles, and for several weeks was engaged in 
writing some chapters in the book on the roads and topography of Cuba 
which the War department published for the use of the army in case it was 
found necessary to invade Cuba. He then joined his regiment which had 
been ordered to San Francisco. After several months in camp, spent in 
ceaseless drilling, the Twentieth was ordered to Manila, where it arrived 
about the first of December, 1899, and was made a part of the Eighth 
Army Corps. 

From this time forth the history of Frederick Funston belongs to the 
history of the United States, rather than merely to a history of Allen 
county, or of Kansas, for from the hour when the Filipinos foolishly re- 
belled against the authority of the United Slates, the Colonel of the Twen- 
tieth became a National figure. Suffice it here to say that he led his 
splendid regiment with such energy, skill and soldierly daring that within 
six months from the time the first shot was fired he was made a Brigadier 
General of Volunteers. When the Twentieth came home to be mustered 
out, in November, 1899, Funston cime with it, expecting also to retire 
from the service, as his term of enlistment had expired. The War depart- 
ment, however, requested him to return to the Philippines and resume 
command of his old brigade, and this, much against his inclinations and at 
great financial sacrifice, he did, regarding the request as a command of 
duty. Returning to Manila he was placed in control of one of the northern 
provinces of Luzon, with headquarters at San Isidro, where he exerted his 



522 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

efforts to pacifying the country with such energy and efficiency that in a 
short time the province was noted as one of the quietest and best governed 
on the island. In the spring of igoi General Funston regarded the insur- 
rection as practically at an end and was looking forward to an early return 
to his home and to civil life, when news was brought to him of the where- 
abouts of Aguinaldo, the chief of the insurrection. He instantly formed a 
l-ilan to capture him, and this plan, with the approval of his superior offi- 
cers, he successfully carried out. The exploit was so daring and so suc- 
cessful, that the whole world rang with it, and the name of Frederick 
Funston became as familiar in every court and camp of Europe as it is in 
.Allen county. In prompt and grateful recognition of the splendid service 
he had done his country President McKiiiley appointed him a Brigadier 
General in the regular army, — a fitting reward for patriotic, gallant and 
wonderfully able public service. 

Frederick Funston was married only a few days before his regiment 
sailed for the Philippines, to Miss Eda Blankhart, of San Francisco, a lady 
of rare culture and beauty, who is now with her husband in the Philippines. 



HARRY E. THOMAS, the east lola lumber dealer, and for many years, 
last passt, identified prominently with the building interests of lola, 
came into Allen county in 1SS3 from Clinton county, Indiana. He was 
born in the latter locality September 25, 1861, secured his common school 
education there and left there, permanently, only w^hen he came to Kansas. 
He is a son of John M. Thomas, a carpenter in Jefferson, Clinton county, a 
native of that county and born in Frankfort, Indiana, in 1S35. He died in 
lola in 1898. He was a son of Asahel Thomas, a Welchman, by trade a 
cabinet maker and a pioneer to Clinton county, Indiana. 

John M. Thomas married Barbara Utz, a daughter of George Utz. 
Mrs. Thomas died in Eldorado, Kansas, in 1896. Mr. Utz went into Indi- 
ana from Mar\ land and passed his early life at the carpenter's bench. His 
last vears were spent on the farm. 

To John .M. Thomas and wife were born seven children, viz.: Edgar X. 
Thomas, Harry E. Thomas, Elma M. Thomas. Estella J. Thomas, John E. 
Thomas and Charles and Eva Thomas. 

Harry E. Thomas was reared in Jefferson, Indiana, and was a pupil 
in the schools of that place till he was fifteen years old. He worked on the 
farm in summer and in the saw-mill in winter, in early youth, and had just 
entered his 'teens when he took up his first lessons at the carpenter's bench. 
It seems but natural that he should be an apt pupil with tools, since his 
ancestors were mechanics and his own inclinations sanctioned the step, and 
it is not surprising that he should become an efficient workman with little 
instruction. He worked with his father till a strong desire to see the west 
seized him and he quit and came to Kansas. He struck the State with less 
money than would board him a day al a first iclass hotel. He added his 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 523 

name to the small force of mechanics in lola and followed his trade, with 
scarce an interruption, for ten years. In 1S96 he formed a partnership with 
I. E. Patterson and established a third lumber yard in lola, carrying, also, 
builders supplies, but in 1S9S the firm dissolved and Mr. Thomas retired. 
In 1899 he opened his yard in East lola, commonly called Bricktown, and 
has a well-arranged, well-equipped and prosperous yard, having since 
taken as a partner his brother-in-law, G. W. Lawyer. 

November it, 1S84, Mr. Thomas married Sadie E. Lawyer, a daughter 
of Ira B. Lawyer, one of Allen county's leading pioneers. Four children 
have been bom of this union: Fannie, deceased; Ira, Frank and Lloyd 
Thomas, deceased. 

Harry Thomas is not only prominently known in business but he is equal- 
ly well-known politically in lola. His splendid sense of the proprieties of 
business and his intense loyalty to honor were qualities which caused his 
selection for Councilman at two different times. Politics was not permitted to 
govern his official conduct and only needful municipal legislation did he 
countenance and support. He is a Republican, but not because his father 
and his grandfathers were. He occupies an unshakable moral attitude 
toward questions of public polity and in social intercourse and is universally 
regarded as a patriotic and worthy citizen. 



1 \A\'ID ROBINSON, lola's old time painter, was born in Peoria 
-• — ' county, Illinois, February 3, 1838. He is the ninth of twelve chil- 
dren and son of George and Maria (Gaylord) Robinson. He was reared 
upon a farm and was educated in the manner common to the country youth 
of that day. About the time he was just of age he joined a party and 
crossed the plains to Colorado and was associated with the western wilds 
till i860 when he returned east and stopped in Breckenridge, Missouri. 
When the war came on he joined Company G, 33rd Missouri regiment of 
Federals and saw four years of .service in the western department of the Union 
army. His division was the ist and his corps the i6th and he participated in 
much hard service and in many warm and severe engagements, chief among 
them being Helena, Arkansas, Red River expedition, Chico Lake, Tupelo, 
Nashville and under thirteen days fire at Fts. Spanish and Blakely at Mobile. 
He was first sergeant of his company at the end of the war. 

David Robinson spent the few years succeeding the war and until he 
came to lola in Galva, Illinois. He learned the painter's trade in his 
native State and has made it his life work. He followed his brother. Gay- 
lord, to Allen county and reached here in 1S70. For thirty years he has 
wielded the brush in lola and he is the oldest of the craft in point of resi- 
dence. He was married here in 1883 to Myra, a daughter of A. L. Dibble, 
deceased, who came to lola in 1880. The latter was born in 1827 in the 
State of New York and was married to M. J. Lord. Of this union three 
children were born, viz.: N. E. Dibble, of Philadelphia; Delia, who married 
Willard Lord, and Mrs. Robinson. 

Mr and Mrs. Robinson's only child is Miss Florence. Mr. Robinson 



524 



HISTORY OF ALLEN AXD 



is a Republican aii;l he and his wife are active members of the First Baptist 
cliurch of lola. 



CHARLES A. JAPHET — One of Allen county's earlj' settlers — not 
classed with the pioneer — is Charles A. Japhet, lola's eflScient and 
widely known veterinarian. In 1S72 he sought Allen county as his future 
abiding place and was induced to believe that much of the wild land then 
abounding in the eastern part of the county was subject to settlement, as 
public lands, and he bought the right of a settler to the claim, in Salem 
township now the property of Harry Boeken. He contested the light of the 
l)urchaser to ownership and possession and, seeing that there was no 
chance for the settler as against the railroad, he sold his improvements and 
closed his fight after three ysars of interesting, exciting and stubborn 
resistance. He purchased a farm in the southern part of Ida township 
and, after cultivating it a few years, came to Tola and opened a breeding 
barn. This was succeeded, in part, by the livery business and when he 
closed out this business it was to go on the road introducing an invention of 
his own patent. He is the inventor of one of the best selling washing 
machines yet put on the market and it was the sale of this that occupied his 
time for about five years. To say that he made a success of his venture is 
putting it mildly, as he became the owner of lots, lands, stock and chattels 
in many of the counties of Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. All of 
North Missouri will remember Charley Japhet who made headquarters 
within their border for months at a time, spent his money freely and did an 
immense and legitimate patent-right business to the surprise and delight 
of his stranger neighbors. When he had gathered together the results of 
his tour on the road Mr. Japhet returned to lola and, while he has done 
something at farming, he has been more devoted than ever to the profession 
he acquired in his youth from one of the great surgeons of the country, L. 
M. Briggs, State Veteiinary, of New York. 

Charley Japhet was born in Shenango county, New York, Septem- 
ber 24. 1848. His father, Albert Japhet, was born in the same county in 
1817 and died there in 1861. The latter was a thrifty farmer and a son of 
one of the pioneers to Shenango county from the State of Connecticut. The 
family came originally from England, the remote settler and Colonial pioneer 
being our subject's great-grandfather. 

Albert Japhet married Polly Ingraham, whose people were also from 
the "Wi.oden Nutmeg State." Their family consisted of George Japhet, of 
Courtland, New York; Eliza A., wife of F. C. Stork, of Shenango county, 
New York, and Charles A,, our .subject. 

Charlev Japhet was left an orphari by the death of his father in 1861. 
By this circumstance he was dependent upon his resources, in a great 
measure, for his education and youthful training. He remained with the 
farm two vears and then sought employment in a hoe factory at Oxford, 



■wOOCSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 555 

New York. At the age of .seventeen years he went on the toad with the 
:noted New York Veterinarian, Dr. Briggs, and, in the next two years, he 
■secured that actual experience and practice that largely settled his career in 
life. In order to better equip himself for the profession he attended lectures 
at the Veterinary Hospital at Poughkeep.sie, New York, but he did not en- 
gage in veterinary work at once. He was married rather early and he 
located in a small place and went to butchering. He had a contract for 
furnishing meat to some railroad builders and was in a fair way, as he felt, 
to reap a reasonably good reward for his labors, when his pay master drew 
his funds and departed, leaving our subject practically and suddenly "flat." 
Soon after this he gathered together his scant effects and came to Kansas. 
His object in coming west was to seek some point where homes could be 
gotten with more ease than in the old states. His condition upon his arriv- 
al at Ft. Scott was one requiring positive and early industrial activity and 
he secured a place in Latimer's nursery, Linn county, by the day. He was 
given the position of salesman the next year, on commission, and he began 
to gather moss rapidly. He remained in that county two years and while 
there served as Constable, which yielded a few dollars to his strong box. 
He came to Allen county with the funds necessary to locate himself as 
herein mentioned and for the past fifteen years the battle has been a com- 
paratively eas}' one. He has been in Kansas thirty ^-ears and when he came 
to it his resources amounted to $32.00 and a few household goods. He owns 
now a farm of four hundred acres in Osage township, Allen county, one 
hundred and seventy acres in White county, Arkansas, and town property 
in Augusta, Burlington and lola, all of which gives him a degree of financial 
independence which ought to come with thirty j-ears of honorable toil. 

Mr. Japhet was first married in Shenaiigo county. New York,' in i866, 
to Edna E. Bartholomew, a daughter of John Bartholomew. She died in 
lola, August 7, 1S84, leaving three children: Eugene, ofTacoma, Washing- 
ton; Eniogene, wife of Charles Youngs of Oxford, New York, and Berton 
Japhet. In 1S55 Mr. Japhet married Lizzie Heath, a daughter of Amos 
Heath. The children of this union are: Cora, Frank, Agnes and Mabel. 

In New York, Kansas, and elsewhere the Japhets are Republicans. 
Our subject is an Odd Fellow. 



"\ A7ILLIAM D. CHASTAIN, M. D., of lola, whose professional and 
" " social life has withstood the public scrutiny in Allen county for 
more than two generations and whose characteristics and personal attain- 
ments mark him as one of the conspicuous citizens of lola, came to us from 
the state of Kentucky November 15, 1870. He was born in Logan county, 
that state, December 27, 1S46, and is a grandson of one of the pioneers of 
the "Blue Grass" state. William Chastain, who introduced the family 
name into Kentucky, was a descendant of Huguenot French settlers of 
North Carolina. He went into Kentucky before it became a state and was, 



526 HTSTOKY OF ALLES AST!". 

consequently, one of the 6rst tillers of its soil. He died rather early iu 
life, leaving sis sons: Edward, Edmund, Willis, Boone. Jackson and 
Ishani. Some of these left Kentucky many years ago and located in Ben- 
ton county. Missouri. He had two daughters: Mrs. Moss, ot Spring- 
field. Missouri, and Mrs. Mosley. who lived and died in Kentucky. 

Isham Chastain was the father of William D. Chastain. He was born 
in iSi6 and died in 1851. He was amply educated and was a prosperous 
and successful farmer. He was a Whig in politics and was married to 
Angelina, a daughter of D;iniel Bailey. The Bailey family was a promi- 
nent cue in Logan county, Daniel being a prosperous and representative 
citizen. 

Dr. Chastain's mother died in 1S47 at the age of twenty-eight years. 
Her four children were: Mary, who married William Townsend and died 
young; Jar:es Chastain. so far as known a resident of Colorado; Fannie 
Chastain, a resident of Logan county, Kentucky, and our subject, the 
Doctor. A half-sister to these. Mis. Cornelia Evans, is a resident of Logan 
county, Kentucky. 

Dr. Chastain lived with the family of an uncle. Dr. J R. Bailey, from 
infancy. Dr. Bailey was an extensive farmer, aLso, and our subject passed 
his time upon the farm until seventeen years of age. He attended the 
county seminary and afterward Bethel college at Russelville. He chose 
medicine for his life work and read more or le.s3 with his uncle. He spent 
two years in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, from which he graduated in 1870, just prior to bis departure for 
Kansas. He had never b»en in the west and his knowledge of Kansas and 
of .■\llen county, in p>articular, was obtained from friends. He opened an 
office in lola upon his arrival here but the following year decided to try the 
experiment of locating in Osage township. This move did not realize as 
it was hoped for, in the matter of patronage, and he returned to lola in six 
months. 

Dr. Chastain's professional attainments have long been recognized and 
he has held a high place in the esteem of the public since he came among 
us. His relation to his town, and the public generally, has been that of a 
liberal, judicious and progressive citizen and to the church that of a con- 
scientious, courageous Christian gentleman. 

April 3 1873, Dr. Chastain was married in lola to Alice F.. a daughter 
of Rev. Samuel Price, now of Wellington, Kansas. Mrs. Rev. Price was 
Charlotte Alder and she and her husband were from Belmont county, Ohio. 

The Dr. and .Mrs. Chastain's children are: J. Earl, D. D. S., a grad- 
uate of the lola High School and of the Western Dental College, Kansas 
City, was born February 14, 1S74.. He served as hospital steward in the 
Twentieth Kansas in the Philippine insurrection; Bertha, Maud and Fannie 
Chastain, both graduates of the lola High School. 

The politics of Dr. Chastain is unmistakable. He is known far and 
wide in Alleu county, for his outspoken Republican sentiments, and. in 
years past, he has been regarded among the active local political workers. 
His name has been mentioned in connection with a nomination for county 



-noODSON COUN'TIES, KAXSAS. 525 

•office but he would uot sacrifice his profession to tlie requirenieu-ts of a 
ipublic office. 

JOEL P. HAYES. — One of the early settlers west of the Neosho river in 
lola township and one in whom his community has the utmost con- 
fidence is Joel P. Hayes. Mr. Hayes came into Allen count}' in 1870 and 
owns the south-west quarter of section 35, township 24, range 17. McLean 
county, Illinois, was the home of Mr. Hayes prior to his advent to Kansas. 
He was a farmer near Lexington, that .county, from 186510 1 870 and dis- 
posed of his interests there and came west only to find a place where a man 
of small means could more easily and more quickly acquire a home. He 
had migrated to Illinois for the same reason but found land there, just after 
•the war, beyond the reach of the poor man and this fact determined him, 
eventually, to make another move. 

Mr. Hayes was born and reared in Clinton county. New York. His 
birth occurred March 6, 1840, and his education was of the country and 
common school sort. He was born on a farm and his father was Asa 
Hayes whose origin is not certain but it is believed to have been Massa- 
-cluisetts. He was a veteran of the war of iSr2 and fought in the battle of 
Lake Champlain near the site of which our stibject was born. He married 
Laura Larkins who died in 1841 while her husband died in 1867 at the age 
of seventy-five years. Their children are: Hiram Hayes, of Whitewater, 
Wisconsin; Loyal Hayes, of Vermont; Christiana, deceased, wife of Luther 
Robinson, of Clinton county. New^ York: Harriet E., deceased, married 
Levi Stafford, of the same point; Loren and Enoch, deceased; Mary, wife of 
Stephen Afford, of Illinois; Charles, of Indiana; John Hayes, on the old 
homestead in New York, and Joel P., our subject. 

At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Hayes began real life when he en- 
listed in Company H, One Hundred and Eighteenth New York Infantry. 
His colonels were, first Richard Keys and then George Nichols. The 
regiment was ordered to Fortress Monroe and was engaged at the battle of 
Bermuda Hundred. Mr. Hayes was in the heavy fighting at Cold Harbor 
and around Petersburg and with the Army of the Potomac to the end at 
Appomattox. Everyday of the time from June 3rd 1864 to January ist, 1865, 
lie was in some engagement or skirmish and was in front of the mine at 
Petersburg when it was exploded, with so little advantage to the Union 
forces. From January ist to April gth, 1865, Mr. Hayes was on detail at 
General Gibbons' headquarters. He was discharged at Richmond, Vir- 
ginia, and was mustered out at Plattsburg, New York, in July after the 
surrender. 

With a small sum of money Mr. Hayes went to McLean county, Illi- 
nois, and found a degree of prosperity there on the farm till 1870. He was 
iuarried in McLean county in February, 1867, to Hannah J., a daughter of 
Henderson Crabb and Mary (Beech) Crabb. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes' chil- 
dren are: Luel, Herbert O. and Arza Clayton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are members of the Methodist congregation in 



528 HISTORY OF ALLEST AKTt 

Piqiia, Kansas. He was converted in early life and has found consolatioif. 
ill f xeciiting the will of the Master as laid down in the Scripture lessons. 
He is a firm believer in Providential control and supervision of the lives- 
and destinies of men. On three occasions would his life have been sacrificed 
during the war, times when there seeined no possibility of preventing it, 
and but for the interposing hand of the Almighty he would have died 
around Petersburg. The elder Hayes' were followers of the faith of Wes- 
ley and their relations to their church were as those of our subject, both 
official and private. In public affairs the Hayes' are no less outspoken than 
in matters of religioix. They belieye in a goveriunent, local or general, 
being honestly administered by its patriotic citizens. For the purpose of a 
political home our subject has allied himself with the Republican party and 
in its tenets and declarations he sees the future of our domestic institutions. 



\ X 7"ILLIAM DAVIS, of lola, seven years a Sunday School Mission- 
' " ary in Oklahoma, and a resident of Allen county for nearly a third 
of a century is a contribution from the citizenship of Indiana. He cast his 
lot with Kansas, and Allen county, in 1S69, a time when good honest citi 
zenship was in need of encouragement and reinforcement here, and when 
permanent settlements were only beginning to take substantial hold. 

Of the ea.stern states whose sous were looking in the direction of the 
prairie states for settlement, just after the war. Indiana furnished her share 
and, from 1865 to 1S75, they pjured into Kansas in a steady stream. 
Johnson county, that State, gave Allen county many naen whose character 
and personal worth won them a conspicuous prominence in the confidence 
of our citizens. William Davis is one of these. He was born in Franklin 
township, Johnson county, Indiana, January 12, 1838. The blood of the 
Scotch and Irish courses through his veins and his remote ancestors 
were among the settlers of the Colonies and in the ranks of the Revolution- 
ary armies. 

This family of Davis emanates from New Jersey. William Davis, our 
subject's grandfather, was born in Mercer county, that State, and came by 
wagon, westward to the Monongahela rivei, in Pennsylvania where he built 
a flat boat and floated down the river to Ohio Falls and from that point went 
into Mercer county, Kentucky. Farming was his vocation. He served in 
the War of 1812 from that State and, late in life, went into Cbrk county. 
Illinois, and died there in 1874, aged ninety years. He was a son of a 
Revolutionary soldier, married a Miss Covert and was the father of 
four sons and eight daughters. The sons were: John W., William Samuel 
and Daniel Davis. 

John Davis, father of our subject, was born in Mercer county, Ken- 
tucky. February 17, 1813. He left his native State in 1822 and settled on 
the Ohio river in Switzerland county, Indiana. Two years later he went 
into Johnson county, and there lived a successful firmer and an honored 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 529 

citizen. Like his forefathers he was a Democrat, but the firinjj on Ft. 
vSninpter caused him to unite his political fortunes with the Republicans. 
He was a man of much piety, of strong Christian character and was a life- 
long Presbyterian. His first wife whs Marv F. ,a daughter of William 
.McGee from Mercer county, Kentucky. The McGees were a Scotch and 
Irish nii.xture while the Davis' proper are believed to be of Welch origin. 
John Davis' second wife was Martha, a daughter of John Vanarsdale. She 
resides on the family homestead in Johnson county, Indiana. Mr. Davis' 
first wife died February 14, 1853. Their children were: William, Martha 
J., deceased, married Elisha Vanarsdale; Mary E., deceased, married John 
W. Davis and lelt two children; Daniel C. Davis, deceased; Rachel A., 
deceased; .\braham V. and John H. Davis, both deceased, are children by 
his second wife. Mr. Davis died July 24, i88o. He was an intelligent, 
strong-willed positive citizen. His character showed in all his acts and his 
life was one good example to be followed with profit. 

William Davis, our subject, was educated in the better schools of his 
time and he reached his majority as a farmer. His first experiences away 
from the parental home were as farm hand and as clerk in a Franklin 
store. He entered the army at the first call for troops, joining Cijmpany H, 
7th I. V. I. The regiment went into West Virginia and was engaged in 
the first battles of the war, Carricks Ford, Bealington and Laurel Hill. It 
was enroute home to be mustered out when, at Bellaire, Ohio, the joy over 
their successes was turned into gloom by the news from Bull Run, Mr. 
Davis was discharged in August and re-enlisted in Company F, 7th 
Infantry as private and went back into West Virginia. In December was in 
Cumberland, Maryland, aided in the relief of General Reynolds in West 
Virginia and in March, 1862, was in Winchester, Virginia. Skirmished 
through to Rockingham county, Virginia, as a part of Shields' Division and 
to Fredericksburg under General McDowell. The regiment hurried back to 
the Valley to catch Stonewall Jackson, but failed. Then went to Alexan- 
dria where it waited till the Pope campaign. It was in the battle at 
Slaughter Mountain and the preliminary .skirmishes to second Bull Run. 
The 7th Indiana Infantry was in the fights at Chantilly. South Mountain 
and Antietam. At Port Republic a piece of Federal artillery was deserted 
dangerously near the Confederate advance and Mr. Davis was one of eight 
to volunteer to recover it. 1 1 was brought off under the fire of eighteen 
guns. At 2nd Bull Run, Virginia, the coloi bearer was killed and our 
subject caught the flag and carried it till a new detail was made. At Union 
he caught the flag under similar circamstances and was its bearer for the 
regiment till his promotion to orderly after the battle of Fredericksburg. He 
was in the Chancellorsville and Gettysburg campaigns and back to Mine 
Run on the Rapidan, the following winter. He was promoted to 2nd Lieu- 
tenant in February, 1S63. In the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded 
in both thighs and lay for hours between the lines while the fight raged. 
He lay in the Wilderness hospital, and in the Lynchburg hospital for the 
convalescent, a prisoner. He slipped away from the Rebel lines on the 
19th of June, 1864, and, in company with John A. Griffin made his way to 



I 



530 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

the Union lines at Lynchburg. He was recaptured just before he reached 
the Union army but was only robbed and released. He was sent home, 
reaching there July 4th and found the family in mourning for him, as he 
was reported among the dead after the Wilderness fight and his capture had 
prevented the real facts from being known. He was discharged at the close 
if his enlistment September 20, 1S64. 

Mr. Davis engaged in merchandising at Franklin, Ind., and only closed 
out the business to come to Kansas. His first permanent location was in 
lola where he established a business (a partnership) and conducted it till 
1875. The following three years he spent in colportage work for the Presby- 
terian church traveling about through Kansas and the Indian Territory. 
In the fall of 1S78 he was elected Clerk of the District Court in Allen county. 
ser\-ing four years. He spent three years on his Carlyle farm and in Janu- 
ary, 1890, began his work in Oklahoma as Sabbath School Missionary for 
the Presbyterian church. In the eleven years he has organized 147 schools, 
made 2295.^ visits and traveled 51 166 miles. 

In politics Mr. Davis is an uncompromising Republican. He became 
a protectionist when a boy from reading American history and cast his first 
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. 

Mr. Davis was married at Brownsville, Nebraska, May 16, 1S72, to 
Candace, a daughter of Alexander Grimes. Her mother, Mrs. C. G. 
Bovce, resides with her. The Grime.ses were from near Richmond. 
Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Davis' surviving child is Miss Grace E. Davis, 
born October 10, 18S2. 



^ A rilLIAM BIRD, one of the pioneers of Allen county and a worthy 
* ^ representative of the brotherhood of farmers, is a son of Emmer 
Bird whose entrance to Allen county, as a settler, occurred in 1857. The 
latter brought his family hither from Lee county, Iowa, going to the latter 
place, as a pioneer, from Illinois. He was born in the State of Virginia in 
the year 1802, was married to Prudy Hamilton, who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1804 and died in 1865 He was the father of Margaret A., wife 
of Daniel Horville; Jasper N. Bird, of Elk Falls, Kansas: Emerilla J., wife 
of John McGee, of Seattle, Washington; William, our subject; Samuel L., 
of Arizona, and George Bird, of lola. 

Emmer Bird settled on the east bank of the Neosho river, at the site of 
the water mill, purchasing the claim from Judge A. W. J. Brown. 
He lived there a brief and uneventful period and died in 1S63. His 
wife died the year 1S65. 

William Bird was born near Keokuk, Iowa, September 15, 1850. He 
grew up in Allen county from a boj- of seven years and passed man\' years 
as a farm hand. Twenty years of this time he was in the employ of Daniel 
Horville and with his wages thus earned he purchased a tract of wild land 
on Deer Creek which he afterward improved and developed into a desirable 
farm. 

In 1868 the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians gave the settlers in 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



531 



western Kansas much tioiible and captured and carried away two white 
women. The State raised a regiment, the 19th Kansas, which was sent in 
pursuit of the warriors. William Bird joined this regiment and experienced 
all the hardships of a winter campaign, in a hostile and trackless countrv 
and, occasionally, with no other than mule meat for his ration. The march 
was down into New Mexico, where the band was overtaken and the 
captives recovered. This ended the trouble, for the time being, and the 
regiment returned to Ft. Hayes and was mustered out there in the spring 
of i86g. 

In 1882 Mr. Bird went into the wilds of Wyoming where he joined 
a ranchman, and where he was employed as handy man on various ranches 
during the three years he remained in the Territory. On his return to 
Allen county he took possession of his Deer Creek farm and proceeded with 
its cultivation and improvement. 

February 5, 1S88, Mr. Bird was married to Emma Fackler, a daughter 
of George Fackler, a substantial and worthy German farmer of Carlvle 
township. The children of this marriage are Dannie E., Edna May, Grace 
and Pearl. 

In politics our subject is well known as a Republican. He cast his 
first Presidential vote for General Grant in 1S72 and has maintained a 
steady and enthusiastic attitude toward his party in recent vears. 



A DAM BARNHART, who is engaged in general farming and stock 
-^^^ raising in lola township, has resided at his present home for twenty 
years, having taken up his abode on his farm February 6, 1880. He was 
born in Brady's Bend township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, April 
,■?(), 183^, aud is a son of John Barnhart, who was born in Butler count\', 
Pennsylvania, in 1800, and died October 31, 1887. The paternal grand- 
father, Jacob Barnhart, was a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, and his 
grandfather was a native of Germany, whence he crossed the Atlantic to 
the new world, becoming the founder of the family in America. Jacob 
Barnhart followed farming in the eastern part of the Keystone state, and 
was a member of the American army during the war of 1812. His son, 
John Barnhart, carried on farming and carpentering. He was a man of 
strong CO ivictions, active and influential in his community, and for a num- 
ber of years served as a member of the state militia. In politics he was 
always a stalwart Republican, and was a faithful member of the German 
Reformed church, taking an active part in its work and upbuilding. He 
married Susan Helper, who was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 
181 1 and died in 1877. Her father, Jacob Helper, was also of German 
lineage. Her brothers were Adam, Emanuel, Abraham, Jacob and David, 
all of whom were married and left families. Her sisters were Mrs. William 
Armstrong, Mrs. John Switzer and .Mrs. George Roy. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart were Jacob C, a resident of Clarion county, Penn- 



5;,2 HISTORV OF ALLfCN AND 

svlvanii; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Dowatis, of Richmond, Kansas; Han- 
nih, wile of Joseph Foringer, of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, I.ouis. 
who died in Clarion county, Pennsvlvania, in 1899; Isaac, who was a 
member of Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Infantry 
during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Armstrong county: Joseph, 
also of that county; Rachel, wife of Harvey Peck, of Champlain, Vermont; 
and Susanna, twin sister of Richel and wife of Thorn is Srioik, of Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania; Catherine, wife of Thomas Roads, of Ohio, and Sarah, 
wife of William Eynon. of Kaylor, Pennsylvania. 

Adam Barnhart began earning his own livelihood by working in the 
coal and iron mines of Pennsylvania. He entered upon this industry in 
1858 without capital, but was successful and soon took contract work at 
tunneling and mining, continuing in that line of business until 1S7S. In 
1S76 he came to Kansas, visiting Allen and Woodson counties for the pur- 
pose of selecting a favorable location. Ho.vever, he returned to Pennsyl- 
vania, where he continued through the three succeeding years, spending 
the last year there in leasing coal and oil rights. In 1879 he located in 
loia township, Allen county, where he has since engaged in farming and 
in raising cattle and hogs. He has been very succe^stul, and as his finan- 
cial resources have increased, he has added to .his property until he now 
owns five hundred and sixty-five acres of valuable land in Allen and Wood 
son counties. 

On the 4tli of August, 1859, Mr. Bainhart was united in marriage to 
Catherine J. Shook, a daughter of Peter Shook, whose family were early 
settlers of Allegheny county, and were of German descent. In his family 
were Thomas, Jacol3, John, Barbara and Ellen, all of Allegheny county, 
Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Barnhart. To our subject and his wife have been 
born eight children: Arabella, who became the wife of William B. Mc- 
Kinney, and died June 28, 1900; Lomond C. and Walter L. , who reside in 
Polk county, Oregon; Sinas C, of Woodson county, Kansas; Ida M., 
Emma E. , John A. and L. Edward, who reside at home. Mr. Barnhart is 
■3 member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the 
organization in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1864. He cast his 
first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in i860, and has never failed to 
support each presidential candidate of the Republican party since that time. 
He has never sought office as a reward for his labors, content to devote his 
time to his business. Since 1S81 he has been a member of the Presbyterian 
church at Liberty. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive, with- 
holding his co-operation from no movement for the public good. He emi- 
nently deserves classification among the self-made men who have distin- 
guished themselves for their ability to master the opposing forces of life and 
wrest from fate a large measure of success and an honorable name. 



SAMUEL J. STEWART.— Among the pioneers whose life has been in- 
separatbly connected with the history of Allen county is Samuel J. 
Stewart, State Senator of the Fourteenth District, embracing the counties 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 533 

«f Allen and Woodson. He was born in Miami countj', Ohio, over sixt}- 
■eight years ago and came into the territory of Kansas in April 1856. Some 
time during his youth he had emigrated to LaFayette county, Indiana, and 
it was from this point that he made his start for the Kansas border. 
He was in company with his brother Watson, whose history during the 
twenty-five or more years that he resided within the boundaries of Allen 
county, formed a part of the public records, both civil and military of the 
county. The former settled upon a claim about five miles south of Hum- 
boldt where he has developed one of the valuable and beautiful, farms 
along the Neosho river. 

Our subject got into politics early in the county, for the reason that he 
was a man of conviction and never failed to express himself clearly and to 
the point whenever invited to do so. Being a young man of energv and 
absolute reliability he was chosen to represent Allen county in the Terri- 
torial Legislature of 185S. The year previous he attended the Grasshopper 
Falls convention where the Free State men for the first time decided to par- 
ticipate in Kansas elections. Up to this time they had steadily refused to 
take any part in political affaiis under the "bogus laws," or rather the laws 
passed by a "bogus legislature." This decision on the part of the Free 
State men resulted in the rescuing of the state from its enemies and placing 
the control of its affairs in the hands of its bona fide inhabitants. Mr. 
Stewart was a member of the Houses of 1883 and 1885 and of the special 
sessions of the legislature during each of those terms. His face has been 
•one of the familiar ones of the "old crowd" at nearly every county and 
state convention and few delegates in either have been accorded a more 
respectful hearing or have had a more enthusiastic personal following than 
has he. 

When the war came on he entered the service as a private, enlisting in 
1861. He was promoted to a lieutenancy in August of the same year and 
to a captaincy in February 1863. He was mustered out of the service in 
August 1S64. At the close of the war he was married and has reared a 
family of three sons and four daughters to become honorable men and 
women. 

One or two incidents wnll serve to show that Captain S'ewart's life has 
not always been a plain domestic one. They will show that there was a 
time in Kansas w'hen a man's protection depended upon his personal 
courage ana that Mr. Stewart was not lacking in this element. Soon after 
their arrival in Allen county the two brothers sent a man with a team to 
Kansas City to haul to their claim the household goods which they had 
shipped to that point by rail and river, the nearest available point to their 
location. The goods were loaded up and the driver had reached Westoort 
when he was met by a company of "Border Ruffians" headed by the noted 
Allen McGhee. The rufiians took the team and ordered the driver to 
leave the town which he did, walking all the way back to Allen county. 
When our subject heard what had become of his team and goods he went 
to Kansas City and, alone and single handed, secured one of the horses, the 
wagon and nearly all the goods. He w^as not satisfied with this partial re- 



534 HISTORY OF AI.LICN ANI> 

covery, however, and, at the close of the war, he visited McGhee and de- 
ininded satisfaction for the balance of his loss. Money being scarce, Mc- 
Ghee presented him with his gold watch, then worth about two hundred 
dollars. 

In the summer of 1856 Captain Stewart went to Kansas City with an 
ox team to move some settlers into Allen county. The Border Ruffians 
were preparing then to make a raid in Kansas and, when near Westport, 
they took Stewart prisoner. They robbed him of what goods and chattels 
they desired and started him on east through Missouri, declining to permit 
him to return home. He worked his way around through the .-tate of 
Missouri, in the direction of home, till he came to Bates county where he 
was set upon by a party of six men who suspected him of being a loyal 
Kansan. They were intending to hang him, as they said, but the Captain 
out talked them, got them to quarreling among themselves and, during the 
mele, got away. 

As the campaign of 1900 approached Captain Stewart decided to 
become a candidate for the state senate. He was nominated easily at 
the primaries and carried both counties by good majorities. He took rank 
in the senate as cue of the active men of that body and his record there 
coupled with his long and valuable personal service as a citizen of the state 
actuated the Governor in appointing him a member of the Board of Regents 
of the State Agricultural College, upon which duty he has but recently 
entered. 



ALFRED W. BECK. — Among all the men of affairs who have resided 
iu Allen county tlie one most widely known is A. W. Beck. The 
nature and character of his business has brought him into personal rela- 
tions with more people contiguous to lola than that of any other, and 
scarcely a citizen, beyond the confines of Humboldt township, from 1870 
to 1895, 3"<^ within the boundaries of Allen county, but that has had some 
tiansaction with the subject of this review. 

It is interesting to listen to the relating of the experiences of the 
founders of a community, wherein you get a glimpse of the important 
events which have ruled their conduct, a bird's-eye view of their lives, as 
they were being lived, revealing adversity, trials, failures and then success, 
prosperity and independence. The adage, that "one-half the |jeople do 
not know how the other half liv'e," will remain true till the end of time and 
many worthy persons who have been distressed by reverses have suffered 
in silence and have spoken freely of their past only when fortune has 
guaranteed their financial independence. The history of our subject is not 
one of absolute penury and want, during all his early years in lola, but his 
share of those commodities were visited upon him in a modified form and 
with such force as to remind him that hardships are occasionally a reality. 

The Becks are of German origin. Leonard Beck, our subject's father. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 535 

settled in Crawford county, Ohio, about 1S20. He was born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1S13. learned shoemaking there, but became a fairly successful 
farmer during his residence in Ohio. He died in 1S52 in the vigor of man- 
hood. His father, a Pennsylvania German, was one of the pioneers to 
central western Ohio and died in Crawford county just before the civil war. 
The members of his family were Dan, Isaac, Adam, John and Leonard 
Beck. They reared families on the clay hills of Crawford county and were 
among the representative citizens. They were, in the main. Republicans 
and were divided in their church fealties among the Methodist, United 
Brethren and Lutheran churches. 

Leonard Beck married Margaret Beltz, a daughter of Christopher 
Beltz who migrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania, Margaret Beck died in 
Ida in 1879. Alfred W. Beck is her only child. He was born November 
10, 1845, and was orphaned b\ the death of his father when not yet eight 
years of age. He aided in sustaining his mother from a youthful age and 
his early school training w-as that of the country district. At sixteen years 
of age he entered a store at Little Sandusky and got his first mercantile 
experience at a salary of ten dollars a month. He drew this liberal sum 
(for that day) two years and with a part of the funds he attended the Ohio 
Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, one term, and took a course in 
book-keeping in a business college at Columbus. He then went into a 
mill in his home county as general helper and, some time later, into a 
foundry and machine shop in Upper Sandusky as fireman. His last ser- 
vice, prior t(3 his departure for the west, was with his first employer and at 
a salary of thirty-five dollars a mouth. In 1868 he made a trip into the 
west and in 1870 he came out to Ottawa and in June of the same year he 
cast his lot with lola. In casting about for an opening he purchased the 
grocery stock of Wm. H.. Richards and erected the frame building which 
once stood on the square. He took in a partner and the firm did a general 
mercantile business till reverses overtook it. It seems that .sobriety was 
not one of the chief characteristics of Mr. Beck's partner and the failure of 
the firm was due to his peculations and unwise manipulations. The debts 
of the firm were considerable but their creditors permitted our subject to 
still manage its affairs and thereby all of the obligations were met. When 
Mr. Beck was finally fieed from the entanglements of the store his condi- 
tion was such tliRt the starting of a business requiring capital was out of 
the question and he and his wife decided to open a boarding house. A 
degree of prosperity accompanied this venture and with a few surplus dol- 
lars thus gathered in Mr. Beck bought a cai of coal and became again a 
business man. He conducted this business in a small way and sold fruit 
trees and by this means managed to sustain himself. With sixty dollars 
saved from his wife's business he bought an old house and moved it onto 
a tract of land which he had made a payment on some time before. An- 
other sum of money saved from the table was paid to James Drake for 
cattle and with these, and four dozen chickens, the family moved to their 
railroad claim. The team Mr. Beck went to the farm with cost $37.50 and 
it was chained to a $5.00 wagon. He wanted to hire Sam Baket to run 



536 HISTORY OK ALLEN AXTf 

the farm, bat Sam declined to work for a man who drove with rope lines;, 
so he hired a boy instead. The family was supported by the butter and 
egg crop, largely, the first few years on the farm, while the head of the 
household was footing it to and from lola, daily, trading and scheming 
and handling anythin>j there wa^ a profit in. 

Morg. Hartman and Jake Casraire sold Mr. Beck a small stock of im- 
plements, on time, as he was too poor to think of paying for anything like 
that, and was told by Mr. Hartman that he could get all the goods he 
wanted. This stock of implements he took charge of, did all the work 
himself, waited on the trade, kept the books and cleaned the store — and his- 
advice to men entering business is to follow a similar plan and thus more 
certainly make a success of their business. 

For three years did A. \V. Beck make his daily pilgrimages to lola on 
foot and the happiest day of all that era was when he became the owner of 
a little crop-eared pony. As he rode this to business he felt the pride of an 
aristocrat and the "twenty dollar pony" was chief in the aSections of our 
now prospering farmer, He bought every heifer calf that his finances 
would reach and within three years after his becoming a farmer he sold 
seven hundred dollars worth of stock and in five years eight hundred dol- 
lars more. 

The nature of his business was such that Mr. Beck could engage in 
the grain and seed business and this he did, reaping a good returu for his 
labor. The coal business was taken up and this alone would have sus- 
tained a modest (amily. The growth of his various interests demanded a 
larger room and in 1882 he erected the Beck business house, the largest in 
lola at that time. In 1897 ''^ joined in the erection of another business 
block, adjoininjj his own, and in this substantial way contributed no little 
toward the development of his town. 

In 1900 Mr. Beck went out of the implement business and took up the 
furniture business, instead. The grain and seed business he also dropped 
and the coal business was sniffed out by the discovery of natural gas. 

While our subject has been chiefly occupied with winning fortune for 
himself for a quarter of a century it is but fair to say that the welfare of his 
community has not been the least of his thoui^hts With the development 
of the gas field came opportunities for municipal growth and expansion and 
he aided in setting in motion plans for the location of industries to employ 
labor and to utilize our wonderful resources. He was on the committee to 
visit the W. and J. Lanyons at Pittsburg for the purpose of laying lola's 
inducements before them in the hope of their locating here. He e.xperi- 
meiited with our shale prodtict, by btiilding a miniature brick kiln in 
the end of the city hall and discovered that it would make fine brick. He 
succeeded in organizing a company of lola citizens to push the matter and 
the lola Brick Company, and its immense output, is the result. The ex- 
pansion of lola has felt the touch of his hand. The popular additions of 
Brooklyn Park and Highland Place and Bunnell's Addition have been im- 
proved and placed upon the market largely through his suggestion and advice. 

Mr. Beck was married in Allen county July 2, 1S75, to Elizabeth 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 537 

Pickell, a daughter of Mose.s Pickell. Their surviving children are: 
Grace, Maud, Bessie and Harold Beck. The daughters are talented musi- 
cians and Grace possesses exceptional gifts and rare accomplishments as a 
pianist. Her final training was in the Boston Musical Institute and lola 
enjoys a musical treat when she gives a public performance. 

A. \V. Beck is no ordinary man. He is possessed of rare clerical and 
executive business qualities, and his trained judgment and tine .sense of 
business properties render him a tower of strength in the business vv^orld of 
Ida. 



TOHX FRANCIS— In Norfolk, England, where had been born and 
'-' buried generations of his family, John Fiancis, the subject of this 
sketch, saw the light of day on April 24, 1837. By the death of his father 
he was left at two years of age to the care of his mother, whose maiden 
name was Sarah Kitteringham. She was a woman of much energy and 
unusual strength of character and under her hand he was educated and 
brought to his majority. It was then Jhat the Kansas struggle was pending 
and the Free State and Pro-Slavery fight was being hearkened to half waj' 
round the world. The young man listened with the rest and his sympa- 
thies being strongly awakened he determined to come to America and have 
a hand in the strife. He left England for Kansas in 1858, coming to Osa- 
w-atomie where were gathered many of the friends and followers of John 
Brown. He remained there until March, 1859, when he removed to Allen 
county, pre-empted a claim, near his present home, and engaged in fann- 
ing. The looked for crash came and in July, 1861, he enlisted in the Third 
Kansas Regiment, Colonel James Montgomery commanding. In the spring 
of i852 the company to whi:h he belonged was transferred to the 5th 
Kansas Cavalry in which regiment he served in .Missouri and Arkansas, 
making the march from RoUa to Helena. At Helena he was invalided and 
sent to the General hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was dis- 
charged in November, 1863, greatly broken in health. 

He returned to .'VUen county and was elected County Clerk and re- 
elected in 1865, serving four years. He also held under appointment of 
Judge D. M. Valentine, then Judge of the District, the office of Clerk of 
the District Court, leceiving this appointment in 1865 at the time the 
county-seat was moved from Humboldt to lola. At the expiration of his 
appointive term he was elected to the office which he resigned in 186S. 
Meanwhile he had found time to study law and was admitted to practice in 
1867. In November of the same year, 1867, he was elected County Treas- 
urer and re-elected in '69. 

At the end of his term of service as County Treasurer he engaged in 
merchandising in lola in which business he continued until July, 1877. 

In 1873 he was appointed by Governor Thomas A. Osborn as one of 
the trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Olathe. And on May i.st. 



5VS HISTORY OF ALLK.V AND 

1S74., he was ap[)oiined State Treasurer o( Kuisistofill the unexpired 
term ot Josiah K. Hayes. Again in December. 1875, he was appointed tf> 
the same office to hrinu; order out of chaos in the accounts of Samuel Lappin, 
who was in trouble. 

In 1876 he went before the people as a candidate for State Treasurer 
and was elected, was re-elected in 1S78 and again re-elected in 1880. 

After leaving the office of State Treasurer he engaged in bond business 
and banking in New York City. In 1892, his health again f.iiliiig him, 
he moved to his farm at the northern edge of Allen county, where he 
now lives. 

In 1S9S he was elected Representative of his county and was made 
Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs. He was returned to the House 
in 1900 and appointed Chairman of the Committee on W^ays and Means, 
l^pon the adjournment of the Legislature he was appointed a member of 
the Tax Commission, authorized by the House and Senate of 1901, and was 
selected as its President. 

John Francis is a Republican, a Mason and a Knight Templar. He 
became a member of the lola Lodge, number 38 A. F. & A. M. in 1865 
and filled successively its several offices including that of Master. He is a 
Churchman, having been confirmed iji Norwich, England, at the age of 
fourteen, by Bishop Selwyn of New Zealand. 

On February 23rd, 1S62, while on furlough from his regiment, he was 
married to Lodeska Coffield, whose parents came to Allen county from In- 
diana in i86o. Mrs. Francis is a lineal descendant of Adrial Simons, a 
Revolutionary patriot, son of Dutch parents who emigrated from Holland 
in 1700, also of Benjamin Clark, likewise a soldier of the Revolution. 

They have three daughters and one son, Anna, Clara, Maude Elizabeth 
and John. 

Few men in Kansas have a more distinguished and honorable record of 
public service than Hon. John Francis, and none is more highly esteemed or 
more universally respected. For thirty years he has been a conspicuous 
figure in the public life of Allen county and of the State of Kan.sas, and he 
is still vigorously engaged in the performance of the most responsible and 
important public duties. 



RANDOLPH \V. SEE was born March 6, 1842, in Hardy county, Vir- 
ginia, now a part of West Virginia, and is a son of John See, who 
wv. born in the Old Dominion about 1788, and died in 1S54. The father 
revived a good education and for many years taught school during the 
w/'.ter months. Occasionally his son Randolph would accompany him to the 
district in which he was teaching and there would pursue his education. 
During the summer months the father eng,aged in farming and followed the 
cooper's trade, which he had learned during his boyhood. He owned 
about three hundred acres of farm land in Lost River Valley, Virginia. In 



WOOUSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. 5-59 

his political affiliations he was a Whig. Twice married, by his first union 
he had the following children: Craigen: Michael H. ; Amanda, who became 
the wife of Abner McWillianis and died in Illinois about 1875, while her 
husband survived until 1S85; and Mrs. Dolly Neff, who removed to Cham- 
paign county, Illinois. For his second wife John See chose Catherine 
Stalnaker, who was born in Virginia about 1800, her father being a native 
of Randolph county, that State. Her death occurred in 1884. Her chil- 
dren were Andrew S., of Hartsville, Missouri; Keziah, who became the 
wife of William Sturm, and died in Douglas county, Illinois, about 
1863; Thomas, who died in the same county about 1864; and R. W., of 
this review. 

The father of this family died in 1854 when Randolph W. See was 
twelve years of age. In 1855 the family removed to Illinois, and the eldest 
son was soon married there. Our subject then began earning his own 
livelihood, working for James H. Siiawhan, a prominent farmer of Douglas 
county, Illinois, and afterward for William Murphy. He was emploved 
as a farm hand by the month until he entered the Union army on the 21st 
of July, 1862, joining Company H, Twenty-fifth Illinois infantry, under 
Colonel Kohler, while Lieutenant Buckner acted as captain. The regiment 
rendezvoused at St. Louis and thence went to Jefferson Cit\-, Sedalia and 
Springfield, going into winter quarters at Rolla, .Mo. In the spring of 1863 
they advanced on Price at Spi ingfield, then went to Arkansas below Benton- 
ville, participating in the three days' fight at Pea Ridge on the 6th, 7th and 
8th of March. He was wounded in the side and had his right leg shattered 
by a musket ball, after which he was taken to Cassville, where he remained 
in the hospital until July. He was then removed to Springfield, and later 
to Rolla, and in the fall was sent to St. Louis, where on account of the 
wounds sustained at Pea Ridge, he was honorably discharged September 19, 
1863, having served for fourteen months. 

Mr. See then returned to Illinois, and for some time continued in the 
employ of Mr. Murphy. He afterward rented land and began farming on 
his own account; his mother acting as his housekeeper until his marriage, 
which occurred .\ugust 10, 1865, Miss Martha Osborn, daughter of Levi 
Osborn, becoming his wife. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mary 
Parker, and was born in Fayette county, Ohio, October 29, 1815, her 
death occurring October i6, 1856. Mr. Osborn survived her and passed 
away in March, 1S75. at the age of sixty-three, having been born in Ohio, 
January 11, 1812. Mrs. See was born in Douglas county, Illinois, July 5, 
184S, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, all of 
whom are living: Mary H., wife of D. P. Neher, who resides near McCune, 
Crawford county Kansas; A. L. , who is engaged in sheep raising at 
North Yakima, Washington, Frank E., an engineer in the employ of 
the Portland Cement Company at lola, and HattieL., wife of F. P. Tanner, 
of lola. 

Mr. and Mrs. See l^ft Illinois in the fall of 1867, and came direct to 
Allen county, where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres on 
section 26, lola township. For thirty-one years he devoted his energies to 



540 



IIlS'lHlkV UK .\l.l,l-:.\ AND 



the cultivation and iurther inipnnenicnt of his propert}-, and transformed 
the wild tract of land into a very valuable farm, which yielded to him an 
excellent return for the caie and labor which he bestowed upon it. Thus 
he acquired a han Isonie competency, which now enables him to live 
retired, and in i8g8 he removed to Tola, taking up his abode at No. 712 
North Jefferson avenue, where he is now enj(jyinff a well-earned rest, 
surrounded by many of tlie comforts which go to make life worth the living. 



EDWARD H. FUNSTON, one ot the most distinguished citizens of 
Allen county, was born in Clark county, Ohio, September 16, 1836. 
His father was Frederick Funston and his mother was Julia Stafford, both 
of Scotch Irish ancestry. He was reared on a farm, hut was able to .secure 
a good English education in the common schools and in the New Carlisle 
Academy. He began life as a school teacher, but this work was soon in- 
terrupted by Abraham Lincoln's call to arms, to which Edward Funston 
promptl) responded, enlisting in the Sixteenth Ohio Battery, in which he 
was commissioned a lieutenant. He served gallantly until the close 
of the war, when he was mustered out and returned to his Ohio 
home. Two years later he removed to Kansas, locating on the farm near 
Carlyle, Allen county, which has ever since been his home. His interest 
in public affairs, his zeal for the Republican party and his ability as a 
public speaker soon led him into politics, and in 1S73 he was elected a 
member of the Kansas House of Repicsentaiives. His .service was so satis- 
factory to his constituents that he was easily re-elected in 1874 and again 
in 1875, the last time being chosen Speaker of the House. In 1880 he was 
promoted to the State Senate and at the close of his term in that body was 
elected to Congress. He was continued in Congre.ss by the votes of the 
people of the Second district in 1S84, '86, '88, 1890, '92 and '94, the seat 
beino' lost by a contest betore a Democratic House in the last named year. 
Since retiring from Congress Mr. Funston has devoted himself energetically 
and successfully to the work of his farm, which is one of the most attractive 
as well as one of the most profitable in the county. 

The foregoing is a very brief sketch of a long and honorable career, 
well illustrating the possibilities of American citizenship. Coming to a 
new state with substantially no capital except his physical, mental and 
luo.-al strength, obliged always to provide first and by means of one of the 
most 3rduous and exacting of vocations for the support of his family, Mr. 
F/.nston has still been able to maintain a position of commanding influence 
ail power, a factor in the public life of the State and the Nation for nearly 
a (juarter of a century, and it is a record that his family and his friends may 
well remember with pride. Of heroic mould physically, a thorough stud- 
ent of economic questions, a strong debater, with a steadfast faith in the in- 
stitutions of his country and in the principles of the party to which he gave 
his adherence, Mr. Funston won and for many years held a most enviable 



"WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 54-I 

^position in the political life of the State of his adoption. As a member of 
the National Congress his most effectual work was done on the committee 
of Agriculture, of which he was for several j'ears chairman, for which posi- 
tion his long and successful experience as a practical farmer especially 
fitted him. It was during his chairmanship of this committee that the De- 
partment of Agriculture was advanced to the rank of the other great depart- 
ments of the Government with its head a member of the Cabinet, and in 
this organization Mr. Funston was the chief factor. 

Although no longer actively engaged in politics Mr. Funston is no less 
interested in the a.scendancy of the principles in which he believes and his 
party gladly avails itself, in each campaign, of his effective services. 

Mr. Funston was married in 1861 to Ann Eliza Mitchell and to them 
have been born: Frederick, Jame.s Burton, Pogus Warwick, Ella, Aldo 
and Edward Hogue, jr. 



TAMES FINLEY was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, January 6, 
*J 1842. His father, John Finley, was a native of Dearborn county, In- 
diana, born May 2, 1814. In 1833 he accompanied his parents to Ver- 
million county, Illinois, locating upon the farm which he owned at the time 
of his death. He married Miss Frances Ray, also a native of Indiana, and 
her death occurred September 13, 1869, but Mr. Finley survived until July 
31, 1900. He belonged to a familj' of seventeen children, ten daughters 
and seven sons. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Vermillion county, 
was a man of great strength and fortitude, and in all life's relations was 
honorable and upright, thus winning the high regard of those with whom 
lie was associated. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-six 
years and five of his seven sons survive him, namely: Mrs. Emily Cole, a 
resident of Kansas City, Missouri, James, of lola, Kansas; Mrs. Agnes 
Pryor, who is living in Danville, Arthur, also of Danville, and Mrs. Fan- 
nie Cole, of the same city. 

James Finley was reared upon the home farm in Vermillion county, 
and assi.sted his father in the operation of the fields until after the Civil war 
broke out, when stirred by a spirit of patriotism he responded to the 
■country's call for troops, enlisting in Company A, of the One Hundred and 
Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, September 7, 1862. for a three-years term. 
His regiment was immediately sent to the front and he participated in mau)' 
of the most hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Perry- 
ville, Chicamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Jonesboro, 
Atlanta, Savannah and Bentonville, together with many others of 
leaser importance. He also went with Sherman on the celelarated march 
to the sea, also on the march from Savannah to Richmond and understands 
fully what constitutes the hardships of war, yet he was always found at his 
post whether on picket duty or on the firing line, and with an honorable 
military record he returned to his home. 

On the 25th of August. 1867, Mr. Finley was united in marriage to 



542 HISTORY OF ALLKN' AND 

Miss Maggie Diinond. a native of Canada, who removed with her parents- 
to Michigan when a child and in 1S65 came to Vermillion county, Illinois, 
where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Finley, who latei sought her 
hand in marriage. Unto them have been born two daughters: Oral, and 
Sabra, wife of Harry Canatsey of lola. 

In 18S1 Mr. Finley and his family came to Kansas and have since 
been residents of Allen county. He purchased two hundred acres of land 
in Salem townsliip five miles east of Humboldt, and has since devoted his 
energies to its further development and improvement. For the pa.st three 
years, however, he has practically lived retired, having erected a fine resi- 
dence in lola, which is now the place of his aboiie. He holds membership 
in \'icksbnrg Post, NTo. jz, G. A. R., and thus he maintains pleasant rela- 
tions with his old army comrades. He started out in life without capital 
and had no influential friends to aid him, neither was his environment par- 
ticularly helpful. He has placed his dependence upon the more substan- 
tial qualties of energy and honorable dealing and has thu-s worked his way 
upward to the plane of affluence. 



"'C A 7"ILLI-A..M H. root. — Conspicnons among the mechanics who 
" '' have aided in the material advancement of lola and who have 
contributed liberally, in a substantial way. to its development is William 
H. Root. He knew lola when it was in its swaddling clothes and as boy 
and man has followed its careers of adversity and prosperity through vil- 
lage and town and city. He is not a stranger to Kansas for he is one of 
her own. He was born in Anderson county the second of March, 1866, 
and has resided in Allen county since 1873. 

Mr. Root was orphaned in childhood b\ the death of Ijoih father and 
mother and at the age of seven years he had fallen into the hands of Frank 
Root, of Geneva, together with a younger sister, Etfie. Will and Effie 
Stigenwalt were adopted by Mr. Root and assinned the latter's name. The 
Stigenwalt family were of German origin. John Stigenwalt, our subject's 
grandfather, immigrated to the United States from some point in the German 
Empire and settled in Pennsylvania. From that state his son James, the 
father of our subject, together with his brother came westward by degrees 
to Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and to Kansas, reaching the last named state 
before the outbreak of the Civil war. John Stigenwalt's sons were James, 
John, Andiew, Thomas and George, of whom Thomas and Andrew reside 
near Los Angeles, California. 

James Stigenwalt was a farmer and died at the age of twenty-eight 
years in 1S70. He married Ruth, a daughter of John Hull, a Welclnnan, 
who came to Kansas from Illinois and lies buried at Earlton, Kansas. Mrs. 
Stigenwalt died almost simultaneously with her husband and left two sons 
and two daughters, viz: Ida M., wife of William Swiger, of Neosho 
county, Kansas; William H. Root, our subject: Otis H., who was reared by 



AYOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 543 

Bert Hodgson and holds that name, and Effie Root, who died in California 
December 15, 1891. 

In the fall of 1876 Frank Root moved with his family to lola to assnme 
the office of County Superintendent of Schools. From that date our sub- 
ject's residence in the county seat begins. He was educated in the public 
schools of the town but quit school at sixteen years of age to take his 
initial step in business. His uncle Root was one of the partners in the 
hardware firm of Henderson & Root and Will lather grew up in their tin 
shop. At seventeen years of age he began regularly to learn the tinner's 
trade with Jacob Casmire and .served his full time of three 3^ears. He was 
in the employ of Ewarts, and Lawyer, in lola, as tinner and spent two 
years in Eldorado, Kansas, at the same work. Upon his return to lola he 
did the tin work in the hardware store of J. W Coutant lor one year. In 
iSgo he set up alone and for the past ten years has been engaged in build- 
ing up of one of the leading businesses in the city. One of the results of 
his ten ^-ears of unremitting labor is the Root business house on south 
"Washington avenue, a tvvo-.story brick extending to the alley and having a 
width of twenty-five feet. The lower floor of this building Mr. Root uses 
himself as work shop and store for his line of builders' supplies and gas 
fittings and the like. 

November 21, 1889, Mr. Root was married to Adda, a daughter of 
"Warren Arnold, one of the pioneers of Allen county. The children of this 
marriage, surviving, are Florence A.. Franklin P., Bernice and Katie 
Root. 

Aside from personal considerations Mr. Root has manifested a livelv 
and public-spirited interest in the welfare of lola. This is demonstrated in 
liis connection with enterprises originated for the public good, by the sub- 
stantial manner in which he has improved his properties and by his liberal 
aid and encouragement of whatever tends to the moral and educational ad- 
vancement of his home and county. A matter with which he is especially 
■concerned and interested is the welfare of the Methodist congregation of 
lola. For years has he affiliated with it as a member and his official con- 
nection with the body extends over a long period. 

Mr. Root began his political career with a vote for Benjamin Harrison 
for president. His early training was from the head of that honest citizen 
and Christian gentleman, Frank Root, whose Republicanism passed 
through drouth and pestilence and war and never failed. 



■^ A 7"ILLIAM M. BROWN, deceased, was one of the pioneers to Allen 
* ^ county, having settled within her borders October i8, 1856. He 
was an emigrant from Henry county, Illinois, and was, unlike most of 
Kansas pioneers, possessed of ample means to provide for his famil}' wants 
in case of an extended failure of crops. He was a thrifty farmer in Illinois 
and came to the western plains to provide his family with an abundance of 



544 HISTORY OF ALI,KK AXfi 

firm land in the hop; of securing for theiu a inDre sub.it.iiiti.il hoKl upon the 
world of things in their battle of life. He settled we-;t of the Neosho river, 
near lola, where he became at once a prominent and conspicuous citizen. 
His prominence as a stock mm and his extensive firming venture, tor that 
day. made it necessary for him to employ much labor, and hedidsotre- 
qut nlly, when he really needed no one, simply to aid some worthy and 
struggling settler. His cribs, his cellar and his smoke-house were open to 
the needs of his neighbors in the days of the drouth of iS6o and so much of 
the milk of human kindness did he possess that he was looked ujx)!!, almost, 
as Divinely sent to stay the hunger and to provide, in a measure, the com- 
forts of the destitute pioneers. 

Mr. Brown made an e.xperiiuental trip to Allen county in .\pril of 1856, 
in company with Ximrod Hankins, and on this trip he purchased land to 
which hi brought his family in the fall. He made the latter trip, like the 
former, by w^agon which method of travel seemed to contribute much to his 
personal likes and comfoit. Frontier life suited his tastes. His father 
went into Illinois as a pioneer and he. himself crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia, with the torty-ininers, in search of the metal which produced the 
excitement at Sutter's Mill. 

William M. Brown was born in Floyd county, Indiana, May 14, 1823, 
and died near lola December 27, 1865. He had just returned from a trip 
with his miiilia regiment, upon its march from the Price Raid journey, 
upon which trip he contracted a severe cold and death ensued from lung 
fever. He was a son of Samuel Brown who emigrate<l from Floyd 
county, Indiana, to Putnam county, Illinois, and died there at the age of 
ninety-two years. He was born near I^.\iiigton, Kentucky. June i, 1799, 
and, it is believed, was a son of an Irishman. He was married May lo, 
1851,10 Loviiia Ahers. who was born April 15. 1804. They were the 
parents of fifteen children at thirteen births and William M.)non. our sub- 
ject, was their second child. The latter was first married Jamiiry 19, 1844, 
to Sarah J. Myers. The issue of this union was Marion Brown, a soldier 
in the 9th Kansas, who died from the effects of wounds received in the 
battle of Stone Lane, Mi.ssouri. William M. Brown's second marriage oc- 
curred March 18, 1842. His wife was Nancy E.,a daughter of John and 
Deborah (Hankins) Hayes. The children of this union are: Orrin Brown, 
of Montana: Ruth L. and Samuel Brown, of lola; John Brown, of Utica, 
Illinois; Deborah, deceased, wife of Samuel J. Jordan, left three children in 
lola, and Albert L. Brown, of Long Creek, Oregon. Mrs. Nancy (Hayes) 
Brown married Daniel Homey and one child resulted from the union, a 
daughter, Miss Mary Horney 

Two of the fifteen children of Simnel and Lovina Brown died at birth. 
From first to last their names are: Martha, William M., Sarah, Mary and 
John, Alfred, Anna, Nancy, Lovina, Prudence, Louisa and Achsa and 
.\lbert. Their births covered a period of twenty years, from 1822 to 1842. 

Samuel, son of our subject, was fifteen months old when his parents 
came to Allen county. He was born in Henry county, Illinois, July 11. 
1865, and passed fourteen years of his life, in childhood, west of the Neosho 



WOODSON C(jrNTIES. KANSAS. 



545 



river, in lula township. He returned to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1S71, 
■ and worked there as a farm hand till 1882 when he returned to lola. He 
ens^aged in painting and decorating, and in clerking, till 1892, when he 
drifted into the gas business. He became associated with W. S. Pryor, the 
father of the gas field, as his foreman of mains and service extension tliat year 
and when the lola Gas Company succeeded Mr. Pryor as owner of the 
business Mr. Brown was a part of the assets, .so to speak, and has continued 
as foreman of the plant. 

November 30, 1893. Mr. Brown was married in lola to Susie A. , a 
daughter of John Reimert, one of the old and prominent mechanics of the 
city. Mrs. Brown was born in Pennsylvania, January 20, 1871. Her 
children are: Russell Reimert Brown, Orrin Crosier Brown and Cecil 
Martin Brown. 

The early politics of the Browns was Democratic. When William M. 
Brown came tf) Kansas there was something in the condition of things 
which caused him to change his politics and he became a Republican. His 
sons espoused the same faith. 



T EWIS D. BUCK — On the anniversary of American Independence 
-' — ' there settled in Allen county a citizen whose interest in horticulture 
and agriculture have ranked him as one of the intelligent and successful 
men in his class. This well known settler is Lewis D. Buck, who estab- 
lished himself upon a prairie farm in Marmaton township three miles north- 
east of Moran. He was without friends here, and consequently, without 
credit, and his "nickle," and the plug team he drove into the county consti- 
tuted his visible resources. The story of his first efforts at cropping is an 
interestiiig one and the methods employed to secure necessary implements 
and accommodations, by men in his reduced circumstances, would form 
a subject for an interesting essay upon pioneer life on the prairies of Allen. 

When Mr. Buck came to Kansas he settled for a time in Douglas 
county. He remained tn the vicinity of Lawrence till the year 1876 wlien 
he loaded his few effects into his ■ wagon and directed his steps toward 
Allen county. Ohio is Mr. Buck's native State. He w^as born in Putnam 
county, October 13, 1841. and is a son of a farmer, Benjamin D. Buck. 
The latter was born in 1802 in Oneida county, New York. He was married 
to Alraeda Conant. He came into Ohio at the close of the war of 1812, 
and died in 1864. His wife died in 1892. Of their children, Seth, Ben- 
jamin, Lavina and Orson are deceased. Henry is at Columbus Grove, 
Ohio, and Lewis D., our subject. 

Until the outbreak of the Rebellion Lewis D. Buck had had no ex- 
perience beyond the limits of the farm. His patriotism was aroused by the 
insult to our flag and he enlisted for its defense in Company A, 20th Ohio 
Infantry. He went into the service April 18, 1861, and served ninety 
days. His second enlistment was in Company K, 14th Infantry and he 



546 HISTORY OF AIJ.KX ANT) 

served as hospital nurse at Lebanon, Kentucky, and at Xew Albany, In- 
diana. He was discharged at the latter place in 1S63 and passed the suc- 
ceeding two years in the Rocky Mountains. In 1865 he recrossed the 
plains to Kansas City, Missouri and secured etnp!o\nient with Myers, Lee 
and Low in that city as real estate solicitor. Man-li 11, 1866, he was rnar- 
ried to lilizaheth Gibson, a widow whose father, Albert \'au,y;hn, emigrated 
to Jackson county, Missouri, as one of her pioneers and was from Ken- 
tucky. Mrs. Buck was born near Kansas City Xoveniber 15, 1S41. 
Her children were two, one by each marriage 

In his career as a farmer in Allen county Mr. Buck has demonstrated 
one important fact, that small fruit will grow and mature here abundantly. 
His orchards are a prominent feature of his farms and his peaches, apples 
and other fruit products have been going to the Kansas City markets for 
many years. His success in this work is a matter widely known and in 
the horticultural meetings of the county his number on the program 
is one of the instructive features of the session. He is local reporter 
t(j the Secretary of the State Horticultural .Society, of Kansas, and his 
enthusiasm has done much to stimulate interest in hoiticulture in Allen 
county. 

Mr. Buck is a staunch Republican. He voted first for Mr. Lincoln 
and for thirty-six years he has been an unwavering supporter of the doc- 
trines of protection and sound money. 



T TARMON SCOTT— The late Harmon Scott, of lola, was one of the 
■*- -*■ pioneers of Kansas and one of the early business men of lola. He 
belongs to a family whose prominence has been recognized in Allen county 
for more than a third of a century and which has done its part in estalilish- 
ing an industrious, intellectual and patriotic citizenship in the State 
of Kansas. 

Harmon Scott was born at Braddocks Field, Pennsylvania, December 
19, 1828. He was a farmer's son and in 1833, his father moved into Ohio 
and, later, into Kentucky and in that State was our subject chiefly reared 
and educated. After attaining his majority, Mr. Scott went to Blooming- 
tou, Illinois, where he resided till 1857, coming thence to Kansas. He 
slopped first in the Territory in Johnson county where he took up a home- 
.s*ead. He engaged in business in the town of Olathe, while awaiting the 
t.un of events in the process of acquiring a title to his piece of government 
land, and this result being unfavorable to him he came to Allen county, in 
i8j8, and became one of her permanent citizens. He engaged in the dr\- 
go:ds and grocery business with his biotlier, the late Dr. John \V. Scott, 
on the corner where DeClnte's clothing store now stands. In 1872 he be- 
came a railway mail clerk between Topeka and Kansas City. Leaving 
that service he spent two years on the farm on Rock Creek, returning to 
lola in 1876. 

In matters pertaining to the administration of affairs and to the welfare 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



5-17 



of loLi Mr. Scott was one of the foremost. He was twice elected Trustee of 
lola township and made an efficient and honest public servant. The fact 
that he liad managed his private business successfully was an index to the 
manner in which the public business would be cared for in his hands. He 
was one of the staunchest of Republicans, having joined that party from 
"the Old Line Whigs. " 

Mr. Scott enlisted in Company H, gth Kansas, as a private and was 
promoted to first lieutenant of a company in an Indian regiment, designated 
as the 3rd Indian regiment. He was in active service until 1865, and 
in which he laid the foundation of the disease which ultimately caused 
his death. 



T;^ MANUEL SNIVELY, of lola township, settled in Allen county in 
-^— -* January, 1879, and for the past twenty-one years has devoted him- 
self to the intelligent and successful cultivation of her soil He settled 
upon section twelve, his farm being the claim entered by the Woodins, one 
of the early and well known families of the county. 

Mr. Snively was from Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, where he was 
born October ry, 1830. He was born on a farm and his father, Christian 
Snively, a son of Henry Snively, improved a tract of land there and be- 
came one of the substantial and reliable farmers of his county. Henry 
Snivel-y went into Alleghany county from Franklin county, Pennsylvania, 
where his German ancestors settled many generations ago. They were not 
only farmers but were known in business and among early ones were 
soldiers of the Revolutionary war. Christian Snively was a public official 
many years of his life and he helped fight many of the battles of the Re- 
publicans in his county. 

'The mother of our subject was Mary, a daughter of Emanuel Stotler,- 
who settled in western Pennsylvania from Franklin county, that State. 
They were originally German and were, in the main, devoted to the farm 
and field. Christian Snivelj' died in 1877 at the age of seventy-nine while 
his wife died at the age of eighty six-years. Their children were: Joseph 
vSnively, killed at the battle of Antietam; David Snively, of Santa Clara 
county, California; Elizabeth, widow of Matthew Mitchell, of Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania; Henry Snively, of Alleghany county, Pennsylvania; Martha, 
deceased wife of Alexander Frew; John Snively, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; 
Mary, who died unmarried in 1869; Nancy, wife of Joseph Hallett, of Cali- 
fornia; Christopher, and Dr. Whitmore Snively, one of the faculty of the 
Pittsburg Medical College. 

Our subject acquired a fair education in the schools common to the 
country in his day. He remained with his birthplace till he had passed 
his fortieth milestone when he was married and separated from it to estab- 
lish a household of his own. He came west searching for cheaper lands 
with better opportunities for small capital. Allen county had many Penn- 



54^ HISTORY OF .'VI.i.i:n and 

sylvaiiia families within her borders and it may be that this fact led to his 
determination, partially, to locate here. He entered into the business of 
farming with the same energy and zeal here that was characteristic of the 
forefathers in the east and his success is due to this fact alone. He has 
surrounded himself with such herds of stock as are necessary tu the profita- 
ble operation of a Kansas farm and is regarded one of the substantial men 
of his community. 

Mr. Snively was married in January, 1.S73, to Mary F. Stoner, 
whose father, Joseph .Stoner, was a resident of Ferry township, Alleghany 
county, Pennsylvania. 

During the Civil war Mr. Snively was a member of the Home 
Guards, of Pennsylvania and had five brothers in the volunteer service. In 
politics this family is well known in the east as Republican, and in this faith 
our subject was strong till the year 1890 when the era of political reform 
in Kansas created havoc with old party lines and he joined hands with the 
Peoples party. 

Emanuel Snively is well known as a gentleman with pronounced 
opinions. He arrives at conclusions after ample deliberation and takes a 
position aftei he is convinced he can hold it. He is a re])resentative 
citizen in many ways and the "west side" is socially and materially strong- 
er for his presence there. 



COLMORK L \\'H1TAK£;R, the well known bioker and insurance 
man, of lola, was born near Zanesville, Ohio, April 2, 1855. He is 
a son of the late Lemuel Whitaker, of lola, who settled in Muskingum 
countv, Ohio, in 1848. The latter removed to Allen county, Kansas, in i86g, 
and .settled on a farm in Carlyle township. He resided there till 1882 when he 
took up his residence in lola. He died in April, 1895, at the age of seventy- 
one years. He was born on a farm in Coshocton county, Ohio, a son of 
Reuben Whitaker. also a native son of the Buckeye State. Reuben Whita- 
ker was born in 1800 and died in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1866. He 
was a son of Lemuel Whitaker and w^as the father of ten sons: David, who 
starved to death in California on his journey with the "forty-niners;" 
Lemuel, our subject's father: Lewis, who reared a family and died in 1891: 
George, who left a son at his death: Milton, who died in Libby prison: 
Annis, who resides in Fall Brook, California: John, a farmer in Mason 
cjii ity, Illinois, until i860, when he died leaving a family ; Captain Samuel 
W'hitaker, who is buried at lola and who was an Illinois cavalry officer: 
ai; 1 Reuben, who resides at Durango, Colorado. 

Lemuel Whitaker married Matilda A., a daughter of Grafton Duval, 
w.i ) helped cut the trees where the Zanesville court house .stands, in 1S09. 
He was born in the state of Maryland, was a tiller of the soil and reared 
two sons. Dr. James and Washington Duval, both soldiers of the Civil war. 
They reared families in Muskingum county, Ohio. 

Mrs. Lemuel Whitaker was born in September, 1825, and resides in 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 549 

lola. Her children are: Gr;ifton D., Coli)u\-, Kansas; Reuben B., a lawyer 
of Tacoma, Washington; Colmore L.; Eugene M., Clerk of Baco connt\-, 
Colorado; Myrtie, deceased, married D. D. McDaniel, and Fannie, who 
died j-oung. 

"Col" Whitaker was fifteen years old when he came to Kansas. He 
obtained his education chiefly in the country schools of Ohio and he re- 
mained with the old home until his marriage. He taught school some 
while yet single but took up farm.ing upon becoming the head of a house- 
hold. He came to lola in 1880. and went into the mill of Waters & 
Thayer, as a helper. He engaged next Iti the restaurant business and, two 
years later, formed a partnership with Henry Waters and engaged in the 
loan and brokerage business. They also did a real estate business which 
has continued in the office of our subject since the dissolution of the old 
firm. January i, 1897, Waters & Whitaker ceased as a firm, since which 
date Mr. Whitaker has continued the business alone. 

The Whitakers have all had positive convictions on politics. From 
first to last they have been either Whigs or Republicans. Their constancy 
is a matter of family pride; no wobbler has emanated from the household or 
borne the family name. Col is no exception to the ancient rule. He is 
among the first to get on the right side of a question and the last to sur- 
render. He has enjoyed reasonable prosperity in lola and his home is one 
of the neat and new residences of the city. 

March 30, 1880, Mr, Whitaker married Ella M., a daughter of Henry 
Waters, one of the well known and successful men of Allen county. Mr. 
and Mrs. Whitaker's children are; Frank E., Herbert E., "the baby" of 
the 20th Kansas, and the yougest volunteer soldier in Company I: Charles 
Frederick; Edith, deceased; Ethel and Ella May Whitaker. 



"TAR. WILLIAM H. McDOWELL, M. D., one of the well known 
-' — ' physicians of lola, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, April 12, 
1841. His father, John McDowell, was a farmer and the Doctor's youth 
and early manhood were passed in the pursuits of agriculture. John Mc- 
Dowell went from North Carolina to Indiana with his father, James Mc- 
Dowell, in 1818. There they opened up a farm in the woods of Lawrence 
county. James McDowell died in Lawrence county in 1821 at the age of 
forty-five years, leaving the care of the family to the two boys, John aged 
eleven years and William aged thirteen years. 

The McDowells are descended from the Highland Scotch McDowells. 
Just what date this branch of the family emigrated to America is not 
definitely established but it is known that they were here in the early 
Colonial days and that the3' were in the South at that time. 

James McDowell married Susan Gainey, an English lady. Their chil- 
dren were: William; John; Rachel, wife of James Murray; Lydia, who 
became Mrs. William Crook: Sarah, wife of John Irwin, and Ann, who 



550 HISTORY OF ALI.KN AXD 

niirrie.i John Pliipps. John McDowell died in 187S it the age of sixty- 
eight years. He married Ann Qwens, was a man of some means, a Whig 
and Republican in politics and an active member of the Christian church. 
His children were: Sarah, who married John Pitt and died in 1S90; Eliza- 
beth, who became the wife of John Hyers and died in 1891; Mary, who 
married Lilburn Owen and died in 1867; Dr. W. H. ; James, of Lawrence 
county, Indiana; Milton P., same place; Jennie, wife of Milton Beatty, of 
Christian county, Illinois; Nancy A., wife of Horace V. Phipps, Adair 
county, Missouri, and Lucinda G., who married James H. Lowder, of 
Bloomington, Indiana. 

Until 1861 Dr. .McDowell was engaged in farming as a business. He 
enlisted August 24 of that year in Com|)any H, 31st Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry. The regiment was ordered first to Calhoun, Ky., then to South 
Carollon, and back to Calhoun. They went on to Forts Henry and Donel- 
son, found Fort Henry captured and then engaged in battle at Fort Dou- 
elsou February 13th and i6th, 1S62, when the enemy was taken, then 
continued their march toward Sliiloh. Tliey lav in camp there till the 
6th of April when the battle opened. On the afternoon of the same day 
our subject was wounded in the left arm and shoulder. He was sent to the 
hospital at Evansville, Indiana, from which place he was furloughed home 
the middle of the same month. In August, following, he returned to 
Evansville where he was in the niarine hospital until the 7th of Feb- 
ruary, 1863, when he was discharged and sent home. In April following 
he entered the Indiana State University, remained one term and July 9, 
the same year, was manied. For the next ten years he taught school 
winters and farmed summers, and the testimony of his old neighbors was 
that he was one of the most earne.st and competent country school educators 
of his county. In 1S73 he began his preparation for medicine. He took a 
course of reading with Dr. F. W. Beard, Harrodsburg, and attended the 
medical department of the State University in 1874-5. He went back to 
his preceptor and opened an office in the same town. He practiced two 
years there and located then in Jonesboro, Indiana, where he practiced 
nine years. In 1885 he decided to settle in Kansas, and January i, 1886, 
he departed for lola. From 1S86 to i8yi his practice was uninterrupted. 
The latter year he thought he saw an opportunity to improve his condition 
and he applied for and was appointed physician to the Mojave Indians on 
the Colorado River Reservation in Nevada. This position was a disap- 
pointment to him and in July 1892 he resigned and returned to lola. 

As a Republican Dr. McDowell is well known in Allen county He 
dates his fealty to tlie party from its organization, although he was not a 
voter. He cast his first presidential v.)te for Mr. Lincoln ami finds as 
much reason for supporting the candidates of that party now as he did in 
1864. In 1S90 the Doctor was elected County Coroner and became chair- 
man of the Pension Biard the same year. Since his return from the west 
his practice has made such demands on him that little else has received his 
attention. 

Dr. .McDowell married Martha A., a dtughter of Linden and Mary 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 55 1 

•{Short) Lowder. The childi-eii of this union are: Tiiomas H., who mar- 
ried Ella Tozer and has a daughter. Fay; Ralpli W . , who married Maggie 
Brogden and has two children, Ruth H. and Grace; Ralph McDowell en- 
listed in Compan3' Z, T went j- second Kansas in the Spanish-American war 
in April 1898, where he served until his regiment was mustered out in No- 
vember of the same year. He is now one of the partners ol the Record 
Publishing Company, of lola, Cragie J. McDowell, with the Northrup 
Xuional Bank of lola; Miss McDowell graduated from the lola High 
School, finished stenography in Topeka and held a position with the State 
Evangelical Association of the Christian church of that city. She is now 
president of the Christian Endeavor department of the church for Kansas; 
John and Lucinda G. McDowell are the two jounger children and reside 
with their parents. Thomas H. McDowell is a blacksmith bj- trade and is 
■employed by the Lanyon Zinc Company. 



/"> EORGE H. LIST.— When the country was in the thioes of Civil war 
^-^ and from the work-shops, the fields, the stores and the offices men 
rallied to the support of the flag, George H. List was among the number 
who put aside personal considerations to aid in the perpetuation of the 
Union, an1 to-day he is as true and loyal a citizen as when he followed the 
stars and stripes on southern battle fields. He was born in Switzerland 
eounty, Indiana, October 12, 1S34. His father, Jacob List, was a native 
of Germany, and when four years of age became a resident of the United 
States, living first in New Jersey, afterward in Pennsylvania, and later in 
Ohio. He married Elmira M. Stephens, a native of New Hampshire, and 
in 1850 removed to Illinois, where he died in 1857, at the age of eighty- 
four years. His wife survived him until 1897, passing away at the age of 
ninety-nine years. They were the parents of five children, but only two 
are now living: Jacob and George H. 

In 1847 the subject of this review became a resident of Illinois, and 
upon the home farm spent his j^outh. He possesses marked mechancial 
genius, and though he was reared on the farm he followed both carpenter- 
ing and blacksmithing and also worked as a machinist, being able to per- 
form any kind of mechanical labor. On the i8th of April, 1861, he re- 
sponded to the president's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the 
south, and served until August, 1865. His regiment was sent at once to 
the front and remained there until the close of the war. He participated 
in many important engagements, including the battles of Charleston, Mis- 
souri, and Cape Girardeau, that state. In July, 1862, his regiment was 
ambushed and .several of their number were killed. He also took part in 
the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the siege of Corinth, 
and went with hi? command to Jackson, Tennessee, the members of his 
regiment patrolling that portion of the country. In September, 1863, they 
fought in the battle of Britten Lane, where they were surrounded by an 



552 HISTORY OF ALLKX AM) 

overwhelinius; force, but fouf^ht their way out with heavy loss. The 
Twentieth Illinois went with Grant to Jackson, Mississippi, and served in 
General Logan's command at the battle of Thompson's Hill and Raymond. 
At Jackson they were with McPherson when he whipped Johnson's army 
in the battle of Champion Hills. They were also in the siege of Vicksburg 
and in the Meridian campaign in eastern Mississippi. With beef cattle the 
regiment was sent to Sherman, and for thirty days was continually fight- 
in^;, but ultimately reached Sherman at Clifton, Tennessee. .Mr. List was 
present when General McPherson was killed in the battle of Lessels Hill 
and saw him fall from his horse when lie received the fatal shot. On the 
22nd of July, 1864, he was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, but 
after eight months and fourteen days there he succeeded in making his es- 
cape and working his way back to the Union lines. He was then granted 
a furlough and returned home on a visit. At Chicago on the 17th of 
August, 1S65, he was honorably discharged and with a military record of 
which he has every reason to be proud, he returned to his friends and 
family in Illinois. 

On the 17th of February, 1S67, Mr. List wedded Miss Mary C. Tuder, 
a native of Kentucky. To them have been born five children and the 
family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are Cora, 
wife of C. J. Barlow: Elizabeth J., wife of John Cation; Rachel F., wife of 
.\lbert Lassmann; .\nna. wile of John H. Parker, and John E., who as- 
sists his father in the operation of the home farm. 

In 1876 Mr. List came with his family to Kansas, taking up his abode 
near Leanna, Cottage Grove township, Allen county, where he worked at 
the blacksmith's trade and farming for three years. He then purchased a 
little farm of sixty-three acres, two miles north of Leanna, and has since 
made it his home. Its well developed fields bring to him a good return. 
Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. P'remont in 1856 he has 
been a stalwart Republican in his political affiliations and is in hearty 
accord with President McKinlev's atiministration. 



GEORGE W ELLIS — Among the substantial and honorable citizens 
of Allen count}' and at the same time one of its early settlers is 
Geotge W. Ellis, of lola township. He is a son of Asa Ellis whose birth 
occurred in New York State in 1806. The latter's father died in 1807 and 
soon thereafter the family came westward to Ohio and settled in Athens 
county. In early life Asa Ellis worked on a ferryboat on the Scioto River 
and later on owned and operated one himself. He finally abandoned boat- 
ing and took up farming and continued it in the Buckeye State till i860, 
when he came by boat with his family to Kansas City, Missouri. During 
the first years of the war he lost his crop by fire at the hands of the bush- 
whackers and he located again in the city. In 1866 he located near Olathe, 
Kansas, and in 1S69 came to Allen county. He homesteaded the south 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 553 

fhalf of the northwest quarter of section 14, town 25, range 17, and died 
thereon in March. 1S92. 

The mother of our subject was Sarah Franz who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania in 18 1 2. She was the daughter of Christian Franz, a son of a 
German emigrant, and one of the early settlers to his part of the State. 
She was the mother of: Henry Ellis, dece.ised, Catharine, wife of William 
Dye, of Humboldt, Kansas; Eliza, deceased, married James McCausland, 
of Humboldt; William Ellis, who resides in Woodson countv, Kansas; 
Frank C. Ellis, of Allen county; George W. Ellis; Sarah, wife of W. H. 
Willinghara; Luia, who married Levi Steeley, of Humboldt, and Sylvester 
Ellis, of Oklnhoraa. 

George W. Ellis w-as born July 18, 1852, in Athens county, Ohio. He 
was eight years old when he left his native State and was a youth of seven- 
teen when he came into Allen county, Kansas. He began life as a farm 
hand, working by the month for R. M. Works, Charles Lehmann and for 
Hand, the Englishman, west of Humboldt. In this way he earned the 
funds to provide himself with a team and he rented land and engaged in 
farming. He farmed with Robert M. Works for nine years and in 18S3 had 
accumulated sufficient to warrant him in buying a railroad eighty in lola 
township. In 1884 he moved to his new farm and by dint of economy and 
hard work has made it one of the desirable homes on the we.st side. He 
bought another eighty acre tract out of the proceeds of the first farm and 
both are free and unincumbered. 

June 18. 1875, Mr. Ellis was married to Jane, a daughter of Peter 
Freeman, born in 1816, and Nancy Freeman, born in Kentucky, in 1S21, 
who came to Indiana from Whitley county, Kentucky, in 1874, and came 
to Kansas in 1876. The Freeman children are: Mark, who resides in 
Kentucky, is married to Anna Bales; James, who enlisted in the Union 
army in 1862 and died in the service; Henry, who died in iS6i: Solomon 
who died in Kentucky in 1848; John, who married Nancy McCabe and 
resides in Kentucky; Josh, who married Jane Steeley and resides in Ken- 
tucky; Golana, who died in iSg6; Jane, the wife of our subject; Benjamin, 
who married Susan McCabe and resides in Nebraska, and Lucy, wife of 
Mark Hite, resides in Indiana. The Freemans are Republicans. The 
result of this union is seven children: Bert Ellis, married to Isa Dix, 
resides in Allen county; Fred Ellis, married Inez Rush, resides in lola; 
George, May, Ethel, Nellie, Frank and Wallace Ellis are all on the 
homestead. 

In early life and until rSgo the Ellis boys vvere Republicans. That 
year the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, took them out of their party, 
with thousands of other Republicans, and made so formidable the Peoples' 
party. To this organization do they still hold National and State allegiance 
but in county matters their support is given to the worthy and honorable 
jnther than to the party nominee. 



554 HISTORY OP ALLEN ASVj 

T EROY O. LADD, of Logan township, one of the successful and pros- 
-" — ' perous farmers of Allen count\', is almost a pioneer to Kansas. Ten' 
years before he came to the State the first settlers were pulling into it from 
the east and nestling themselv-es down along the timbered streams. Mr. 
Ladd was early enough to get desirable land cheap, for he came here in 
1868 when settlements in his neighborhood were widely scattered. His 
means permitted him to buy only a small tract of thirty-two acres seven 
miles southwest of Humboldt. In that community he has remained. The 
little farm has grown and expanded with the elapse of years and in response 
to his needs until it contains eight hundred acres, one of the splendid stock 
and grain farms in the township. Its improvements are in keeping and 
proportion to its area, commodious residence, roomy barns and extensive 
sheds. The abundance ot open land and free pasture led Mr. Ladd to en- 
gage in the cattle business at an early period and his success in this ven- 
ture has warranted him in its continuance. He has been a large feeder 
for years and much of his accumulation of years has come from this source. 
He is a large consumer of grain other than his own raising and his enter- 
prise has thus furnished a market for the surplus grain of his neighbors. 
Aside from the buildings which adorn the farm, and which Mr. Ladd 
erected, a small forest sets off his premises and surrounds his edifice. 
These trees the family planted away back in the early da\sof Allen county. 

Leroy Ladd originated iu New E)ngland. He was born in Vermont 
March 24, 1844. He is a son of John and Caroline (Olds) Ladd, country 
people and children of the Green Mountain State. In 1849 they crossed 
over into New York State, settling in Oswego county, where the father 
died in i860 at the age of fifty-eight j'ears. His widow died in Vermont in 
1885 at the age of seventy-two years. Of their nine children five are yet 
living, viz.: Urbane, of Bay City, Michigan; Era and Corrin, of Oswego, 
New York; Cordelia, wife of Richard Rawson, of New Hampshire, and 
Leroy O. Ladd. John Ladd owned a large giist mill which he operated 
in connection with his New York farm. His five sons all served in the 
Union army during the Rebellion and all returned but Lucius H., who 
died in Richmond, Virginia. 

Leroy Ladd's youthful opportunities were only those of the country 
lad. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the iioth New York Infantrj' 
and his regiment was a.ssigned to the dep»artment of the Gulf. For two 
years he was on guard duty on the Island of Tortugas in the Gulf of 
Mexico where the Confederate prisoners were confined. He was dis- 
charged at the end of his enlistment, September, 1865, and returned to his 
State. His brothers all enlisted for three years and all served their full 
time, or until death. This fact, alone, indicated the feeling and opinions 
entertained by the young men with reference to the preservation ot 
the Union. 

Mr. Ladd engaged in farming upon his return home and continued 
it, with some degree of success, three years. The western fever took a 
firm hold upon him soon after the war and he definitely decided to 



A\OODSON' COUNTIES, KANSAS. 555 

Tnigrate in 1S6S. His resources were limited but that did not deter him for 
■ the frontier was the best place for a man in his circumstances. He came 
and saw and conquered. 

In 1S66 Mr. Ladd was married to Miss Kate Dimick. She died in 
1870, leaving a son, Lucius Herman Ladd, of Woodson county, Kansas; 
Mr. Ladd was married in December, 1S73, to Mrs. Philinia (Gibbs) Jack- 
son. Nine children have been born to them, viz.: Minnie (Ladd) Camp- 
bell, who died February 27, 1900, leaving two children, Effie and Cora 
Ladd; Orlie L- Ladd, who died May 14, 1885; Eddie, Gertie, Ennis, 
Urbane and Leola. Mrs. Ladd has a son by her first husband, John E. 
Jackson, of Cottage Grove township. Mrs. Ladd was a daughter of John 
Gibbs, a native of Illinois, whose wife was Ellen J. DeWitt. 

Mr. Ladd is a Republican. He learned his first lessons in politics in 
the army helping to suppress treason and he has maintained his political 
relations with the party that favored a union of states. 



r^HARLES OTTEN.— The late Charles Otten, of lola, was among the 
^^ honorable and substantial citizens of .^llen county. He came to lola 
in 1876, when this city was little more than a village, and engaged in the 
bakery and confectionary business. His little store was located on the site 
of his new building and was one of the small and unpretentious structures 
of the town. His previous experience enabled him to bring the best of 
business principles to the conduct of his affairs and he was soon seen to be 
the one merchant first to be ready to e.xpand. He remained in business in 
lola twenty-one years and, upon retirement, was succeeded by his son. 

Charley Otten was born in Rhumeln, Rhine Province, Germany, in 
1839. He was a son of Arnholdt Otten, a teacher, whose family had been 
■connected with the same school which he taught for one hundred and five 
years. Asnholdt Otten's children were: Arnold Otten, the last teacher of 
the family and of that place; Julius Otten, educated by the King, was in 
the army all his life and died a general; Hugo Otten, who is superintendent 
of the coal mines supplying coal to the Krupp Gun Works at Essen; Albert 
■Otten, assistant superintendent of above coal mines. 

Charley Otten was frail and sickly when a youth. His father put him 
into a hospital to cook on account of the light work. His education w^^s 
somewhat neglected but while in the hospital he formed a n3tion to become 
a baker. In February 1S59 he was married to Louisa Windhoevinl, a 
daughter of a court officer of the Kingdom, Arnold Windhoevinl. In iS66 
Mr. and Mrs. Otten came to 'the United States. They .sailed on the "Ad- 
miral" from Bremen to Baltimore and engaged in business in that city five 
years. He located in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania, ne.xt, and at both points 
the young people made money. However, misfortune overtook him and 
he failed in the panic of 1873". In his last home Mr. Otten was held in 
high regard. His social intercourse with his fellow townsmen was 



556 HISTORY OF ALLEN ANTj 

mutually pleasant and he possessed their confidence in a high degree. It 
was awkward, at times, for him to perform his part in a social or fraternal 
function, because of his broken speech, but he found much in them to 
enjoy and appreciate and this fact, nlone, pleased his friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Otten's children are: Joseph Otten, Ixirn in iS6o. Al- 
vina Otten: John Otten, widely known throughout Allen county; Lena; 
Ludie Otten and George Otten. 

Charley Otten was an Odd Fellow and a Workman. He died April 
5, 1900, amidst comfortable surroundings and alter three years of retirement 
at his country hom€. 



WILLIAM H. LING, of lola township, who resided in Kansas since 
i88r and in Allen coirnty since 1883. was born on Canadian soil 
but of British parents. January 12, 1841, he was born near Charlottetown, 
Prince Edward Islands, and died near lola, Kansas, February 19, 1901. 
His lather, George R. Ling, was a grain merchant who carried on his busi- 
ness in St. Thomas, Ontario, tp which point he migrated with his family 
in 1848. He was born in England in 1812 and came to Prince Edward 
Island at eleven years of age. He died near St. Thomas, Canada, in 1857. 

Our subject's mother was Mary Tayloi, now a resident of Ingham 
county, Michigan. She was born in iSigand is the mother of William H. 
Ling, deceased; Mary A. Young, wife of William Young; Mary A. and her 
ue.xt sister, Martha, are both deceased; Maria, who married William 
Jacobs, resides in Lincoln, Nebraska; George K. Ling, of Ingham county, 
Michigan; Eliza, deceased, married a Mr. Ynung; Robert A. Ling, of Los 
Angeles, California; P'rank Ling, a methodist minister, in Ingham county,. 
Michigan; Adaline and Josephine, twins, reside in Ingham count), 
Michigan. 

W. H. Ling reached manhood as a farm hand. He continued in thi.s^ 
Vocation till his entry into the lumber woods soon after reaching his ma- 
jority'. At twenty-three years of age he came to the United States and was 
married the next year at Howell, Michigan, to Mary J. Buckvvell. The 
couple started life in charge of a large farm in Livingston county, Michi- 
gan. Two j'ears of his married life were passed as farm superintendent 
and concluding his service he went into north Michigan, bought a farm 
and began its operation and improvement. He seized an opportunity to 
engage in merchandising at Weberville, Michigan, and, in 1873, lost his 
all by fire. While casting about for some pirofitable employment, and at 
the same time something to his liking, he did a little farming. He soon 
succeeded in making a contract for furnishing large quantities of charcoal 
wood and at this he recovered his losses rapidly. He came to Kan.sas and 
invested in sheep and cattle in Montgomery county, and between Texas 
fever and scab he lost much of his stock. In prospecting about for a new 
location he was pleased with Allen county and located in lola. He turned 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 557 

his attention to the hotel business and ran the old New York house about 
nine months. He next purchased the Joslyn delivery business and con- 
ducted it and carried the express for a year. The following five years he 
was engaged in the ice and coal business. He then established the "Star 
Lunch Room," the predecessor of the "Our Way," and for many years 
found it a profitable enterprise. Upon disposing of it to the Wilhites he 
exchanged his home in lola for one of the best eighties of land in Allen 
county and took possession of it soon after. 

Mr. Ling's first wife died in Michigan, Ingham county, in 1872, leav- 
ing him two sons, Albert A. .L,i"o. oi lola, and Edward E. Ling. In 18S2 
Mr. Ling was married in Montgomery county, Kansas, to Nora McGuire, 
who was reared by A. K. Miller, of Cotfeyville, Kansas. She was born in 
Marshall county, Indiana, in 1862 and is the mother of ten children, viz: 
Lena, deceased; Lulu, Howard, Walter, Edna, Irvin, Aldo, William, 
Helen and Jennie. 

Mr. Ling cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868. He 
found it to his interest to remain a Republican and it was his disposition 
to assert himself upon public questions whenever he was challenged. He 
served in the Second ward of lola three terms in the City Council and 
made an active member. He took sides with the proposition for city ■ 
ownership of the gas plant and supported it with all the energy he pos- 
sessed. He was also a member of the school board in his district and was 
in thorough accord with advanced notions of education. 



T TENRY GIVLER had passed the eighty-third milestone on life's 
-L -*- journey, before he passed away, and his last days were made happy 
by the veneration and respect which' should ever be accorded to those of 
advanced years whose career has been colored by good deeds and by honor- 
able purpose. He was numbered among the pioneer settlers of this sec- 
tion of the Sunflower State, and had not only been a witness of the growth 
and progress of the county, but had aided in its advancement and sub- 
stantial improvement. 

Mr. Givler was born in Pennsylvania, on the first of September, 1817, 
and was of German lineage. His grandfather was the founder of the family 
in America and located in Pennsylvania at an early day. The father of 
our subject was born in that State in 1775 and was a miller by trade. His 
son Henry spent his boyhood days on the home farm, where he early 
learned to plow and hoe, ".vorking in the fields from the time of early spring 
planting until crops were harvested in the autumn. In early life he 
learned the machinists's, carpenter's and blacksmith's trades and followed 
the latter until his removal to Illinois, in 1855. In that State he again 
carried on both blacksmithing and farming, but thinking to benefit his 
financial condition in a district still further west he came to Kansas in 1867, 
taking up his residence in Elm township, Allen county. This region was 



55S 



HISTORY OF ALLKN AN'D 



then wild and unimproved; there were few houses and an old log school 
house was almost the only evidence of civilization i:i his immediate neigh- 
borhood. With characteristic energj- he began the work of developing a 
farm, and as the years passed his richly cultivated fields -brought him in a 
good financial return. 

Mr. Givler was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Goodhart, who 
belonged to an old Pennsylvania family, and two of her brothers and three of 
her sisters are still living in Cumberland county. Six children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Givler, namely: Mrs. Lina Reilly, who resides with her 
family on the old home place; Mrs. Mary Faddis, of lola; Mrs. Anna 
Morrison, oi lola; Isaac, a resident of Carthage, Missouii; W. F.. of Clay- 
ton, Illinois; and Samuel, of Meade Center, Kansas. 

Like the other membeis of the family Mr. Givler gave his political sup- 
port to the Democratic party in early life, but at the time of the civil war 
espon.sed the cause of the Republican party, which loyally stood by the 
Union. Of recent years he had given his allegiance to the People's party. 
His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren in 1S40. Since 
the age of eighteen vears Mr. Givler had been a consistent member of the 
Lutheran church, and in his lile exemplified his belief. The cause of 
education ever found in him a warm friend and he aided in building 
schools in Pennsylvonia, Illinois and Kansas. He never withheld his 
support from any measure or movement which he believed would contribute 
to the public good, and his was a well spent life, in many respects well 
worthy of emulation. He looked back over the past without regret, and 
forward to the future without tear. Mr. Givler died between 12 and i 
o'clock January i, 1901. 



JOHN A. SCAXTLI.N' — For thirty years John A. Scantlin has been a 
resident of Allen county, and is now one of the prosperous farmers of 
Cottage Grove township. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 
14th of August, 1844, his parents being Thomas and Delilah (Elliott) 
Scantlin, the former a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, whence 
he removed to Ohio when a young man. In the Buckeye State he was 
married and for a number of years lollowed the miller's trade, but in later 
life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and died upon his farm in 
1359, at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife survived him until 1S70, 
passing away at the age of fifty-seven. 

John A. Scantlin is now the only surviving member of their family of 
t!i:ee children. Xo event of special importance occurred to vary the 
r.v.itiue of life for him in his youth. He assisted his father and pursued his 
education in the public schools. When he had ai rived at man's estate he 
was married, in February, 1869, to .Miss Mary E. Reed, a native of Ohio, and 
in the fall of 1S70 he came to Kansas, where he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in East Cottage Gr9ve township. With character- 



WOUUSUN eOUNTlKS. KANSAS. 559 

istic energy he began the development of his farm and as his financial 
resources have increased, he has extended its boundaries until it now com- 
prises three hundred and ninety-two acres of land. The place is highly 
cultivated and is improved with modern accessories and conveniences 

Not long after arriving in Allen county, Mr. Scantlin had the misfor- 
tune to lose his wife, who died in 1876. They were parents of three chil- 
dren, but only one is now living, Thomas, who is a resident of Neosho 
county. For his second wife Mr. Scantlin chose Mrs. Salina McCord, 
widow of Andrew McCord, and a daughter of Nelson Gibson. They were 
married on the 4th of March, 1882. Mrs. Scantlin was a native of Indiana, 
and became a resident of Kansas about 1872. By her first marriage she 
had two children, one of whom is living, LilHe, now the wife of Edgar 
Kelley, who is living near Joplin, Missouri. There are also two children 
by the second marriage: Clinton J. and Emma L,., who are with their parent.s. 

Mr. Scantlin votes with the Democratic party and keeps well. informed 
on the issues of the day. He has never sought office for himself, yet is 
always ready to assist a friend. He withholds his support from no measure 
which he believes will prove of public good and is therefore a valued mem- 
ber of the community. 



\ A 7'ILLL-\M W. HUFFMIRE "was born in Fountain county. Indiana. 
" ^ August 5, 1859, and is of German lineage. His grandfather was 
a native of Germany, became a sailor and spent many years upon the 
ocean. His death occurred in Indiana. Samuel Huffmire, father of our 
subject, was a native of New Jersey and during his boyhood emigrated to 
Iniiana with his parents. Upon a farm, amid the wild scenes of the fron- 
tier, he was reared, and after he had arrived at years of maturity he married 
Melissa Myers. When the country became involved in Civil war he 
joined the Union army and died while in the service. His widow afterward 
became the wife of John L,awson, and they had two children, Manson and 
Nettie, the latter the wife of William Redenbaugh. Mrs. Lavvson died in 
1897, at the age of fifty-eight years. 

Early in life William W. Huffmire was left without a father's care, 
and since he was thirteen years of age he has made his ow-n way in the 
world. He went to live with John Bonebrake. a German farmer, who 
treated him most kindly, and Mr. Huffmire remembers him with gratitude. 
He was allowed the privilege of attending the common .schools, and he 
also pursued a commercial course, becoming an excellent penman. In 
1879, when twenty years of age he arrived in Kansas, locating first in 
Wilson ci:)unty, where he was married to Miss Ella Sowers of the county in 
which Mr. Huffmire was born. Her father is now living in Allen county. 
The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Woodson 
countj', and aftei a year came to Allen count}', where he purchased eighty 
acres of land, on which he has since erected a good residence and barn, 



560 HISTOKV OF ALLKX AND 

acicHiig all the other improvements of a model farm. The home has been 
blessed bj' the presence of five children, who are living, namely: Charles 
S., Edna M., Alonzo E., Minnie G. and Telcy C. Allen C. died April 8, 
189S. at the age of four years. 

Mr. Huffmire has for one year .served as township clerk, discharging 
his duties with promptness and fidelity, and in the fall of 1900 was nom- 
inated on the Republican ticket for trustee. He belongs to the Modern 
Woodmen of America, serving as clerk in Lcanna Camp. He certainh- 
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished for he started out in 
life without capital save a piir of willing hands and a determination to 
succeed. His success is attributable to his own efforts, and his accomplish- 
ment is a matter worthy of congratulation. 



EDWARD HITI'- is one of the more recent arrivals in Allen county, 
having taken up his abode upon a farm in Osage township in 1898. 
He was born on the 20th of April, 1868, in LaSalle county, Illinois. His 
parents were James M. and Martha M. (Jones) Hite, the former a native of 
Licking county, Ohio, and the latter of Vermont. The father was a farmer 
by occupation and when a young man removed to the Prairie state, where 
he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, the 28tli of August, 
1893, when he was sixty years of age. His widow still survives him, and 
is yet living on the old homestead. They were the parents of ten children, 
and nine are living. 

Edward Hite, the third member of the family, remained with his 
parents until twenty-eight years of age, and during that time received 
practical training on the farm, while the public schools afforded him 
mental discipline. He was almost twenty-nine years of age, when in 1897, 
he left Ilinois for Kansas and located on a farm of one hundred and sixt>' 
acres situated a mile and a half northwest of Bayard. His father had pur- 
chased the land a number of years before, but the "leaguers" had taken 
possession of it and for a number of years the family were deprived of its 
use, but ultimately obtained possession, and since 1898 Mr. Hite of this 
review has resided upon the place. He erected a large barn and other 
substantial buildings, fenced the land, set off feed lots, and made other im- 
provements in addition to the cultivation of the fields. He also has the 
place well stocked with good horses, cattle and hogs. 

Soon after coming to Kansas in 1898 Mr. Hite was united in marriage 
to Mi.ss Jennie Gertrude Ellenwood, who was born in Washington county, 
O'iio, and in 1878 came to Kansas with her parents, who are now living 
in Huntsville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hite now have two interesting 
lit'.le children, Anniversary, born February 22, 1899, and Edwin Everetta. 
born December 16, 1900. In politics Mr. Hite is a Democrat, but has 
never sought office as a reward for party allegiance. In the three years of 
their residence here he and his wife have gained many warm friends and 
now have a wide acquaintance. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 56 1 

TOSEPH M. BOOE has passed the Psalmist's span of three score years 
^ and ten, and at the age of seventy-two is still actively concerned in the 
business affairs ot life. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, on the 
4th of October, 1S28, and is a son of Jacob Booe, a native of North Caro- 
lina, who when thirteen years of age accompanied his parents on their re- 
moval to Kentuckv, where he remaitied until he had attained his majority. 
He then went to Indiana and was there united in marriage to Miss Nancy 
Henderson, also a native of North Caiolina. His remaining days were 
spent in the Hoosier state, were he died at the ripe old age of seventy- 
seven years, his wife passing away in i<S32. They were the parents of six 
children, but only two are now living, namely: Joseph M. and L. D. 

Mr. Booe of this sketch was the eldest and was reared to farm life, as- 
sisting in the work of field and meadow, while in the district schools near 
his home he mastered the common branches of English learning. Farming 
has been his life work, and has been profitably followed by him. In early 
manhood he was married on the 19th of June, 1853, to Miss Amandy Ayls, 
but after a short wedded life of three years she passed away, leaving two 
children, the elder being Charles E. Booe, an eminent lawyer of Frankfort. 
Kentucky, who has served on the bench as judge of the Frankfort circuit 
court for eight years. Mrs Emily (Booe) Winslow, the younger, is now 
living in Fountain county, Indiana. Mr. Booe was again married 
March 12, 1857, his second union being with Rachel Wilson, with 
whom he lived seven years. Four children were left to mourn her loss, 
<^nly one survives, McDonald Booe, who is living in Indianapolis. For 
his third wife Mr. Booe chose Margaret Boman. His present wife bore the 
maiden name of Lucy Huchen. She was a native of Kentucky, and was 
married in 1866. Five children blessed this union. Those surviving are 
Francis Marion, M. M., Warren, Elzady and L, P. The daughter is now 
the wife of Elzady Carey Cloud. 

Mr. Booe has been a resident of Kansas since 1S81, in which year he 
took up his abode in Cottage Grove township, on the south line of Allen 
county. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in the two 
counties of Allen and Neosho. His has been an active and useful life and 
he is now in the possession of a comfortable competence and expects soon to 
put aside business cares that he may enjoy the rest which he has truly 
earned and richlv deserves. 



' I 'HOM.-\.S CATION, Jr., is one of the wide-awake and progressive 
-*- farmers of East Cottage Grove township, and as he is widely known in 
Allen county a record of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to many of 
our readers. He was born in Peoria county, Illinois, April 18, 1S63, and 
.is of vScotch descent. His father, Thomas Cation, Sr., was born in the city 
of Glasgow, Scotland, May 24, 1824, his parents being William and Mar- 
garet (Paul) Cation, who were also natives of the land of hills and heather. 



5'-" HISTORY OF ALI.EX AXP 

III i,s4;> they crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up their abtnie in 
Illinois, w<iere the graiulfather of our subject tlieii when seventy years of 
age. His wile (ieparted this life in Kansas, at the ripe okl age of eighty. 
Thomas Cation, Sr. , was a weaver by trade, learning that business in 
Glasgow, where he pursued his cho.sen occupation until he became a resi- 
dent of America. He spent the first eighteen years of his life in the land of 
his nativity and then accompanied Jiis parents on their emigration to the 
new world. From Illinois he removed to Kan>as in 1871. taking up his 
abode in Allen county, where he now resides upon his fine farm of two 
hundred and eight acres. He was married in Illinois to Miss Jeannette 
McClanet, who died on the nth of March, 1S97. at the age of fifty-nine 
years. They had eight children: Willie, Jeannette, John, Maggie, David, 
Mary and Annie, being the wife of William Cation. Since coming to 
America the father has four times visited his native country. He is now 
spending the evening of his life in a very comfortable home which he has 
giined through his own industry. 

Thomas Cation, Jr., whose name introduces this record, was only 
seven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to 
Kansas, He therefore spent the greater part of his youth in Allen county, 
and in the district schools he conned the lessons which made him familiar 
with the common English branches of learning. From early boyhood he 
assisted in the operation of the home farm and worked with his father until 
he was twenty-one years of age, giving him the benefit of his services, after 
which his father paid him for his labor until he was twenty-five years of 
age. 

On the I St of February, 1SS8, Mr, Cation led to the marriage altar 
Miss Agnes Campbell, a resident of Cottage Grove township, a native of 
Scotland, whence .she came to the United States with her parents. William 
and Helen (Gray) Campbell. They crossed the ocean in 1 868 and for six 
years were residents of Chicago, her father there following the carpenter's 
trade. In 1S74 he came with his family to Humboldt, Kansas, where he 
was engaged in the furniture business with Mr. I'tterson. .•\fter a year, 
however, he returned to Chicago, although in a short time he again came 
to Allen county, and purchased a farm in East Cottage Grove townshipv 
erecting thereon a nice residence. Leaving his farm to the care of his 
family he engaged with a company to build elevators and followed that 
business in miny sections of the country. Subseijuently, however, he re- 
turned to the farm and has since devoted his energies to its operation. 
Ui;to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were born eight children, of whom six are 
living, namely: Jessie: Martha Agnes: Nellie, wife of George Jordan of 
Xvosho county: John, a resident of Kansas City: David; Nina, and Wilfird. 

After his marriage Mr. Cation, of this review, rented a farm for he did 
not have the means to purchase land. However, he posse.s,sed energy and 
determination and with the assistance of his young wife he secured some 
capital, so that a year after his marriage he was enabled to buy eighty acres" 
of land. This he has improved until he now has a very attractive farm, on 
which he has erected a comfortable residence and commodious barn. A 



WOUDSUN COUNTIES, KANSAS. 56,^ 

fine maple grove surrounds bis house and outbuildings, so that his barn- 
yard resembles a park more than a place in which stock is raised. He is 
an energetic and progressive agriculturist and further success undoubtedly 
awaits him. 

Mr. and Mrs. Catiin now have three bright boys, Archie, Robert and 
Homer He is a member of the camp of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica at Leanna, and in politics is an earnest Republican, doing all in his 
power to promote and insure the success of his party. 



f OHN H. 13EAHM, who is identified with the farming and stock raising 
" interests of Allen county, was born in Page councy, Virginia, October 
14, 1854, his parents being David and Permetta (Griffee) Beahm. The 
father was born in Page county, and was a son of John Beahm, of 
Holland. The mother, also a native of Virginia, was a daughter of John 
Griffee, who was born in the Old Dominion, but his father came from 
England, while his mother was oi German lineage. In the year 1S67 
David Beahm left his hcjme in Virginia, where he had previously engaged 
in farming, and started westward. After spending a year and a half in 
Indiana he came to Kansas in 1870, locating in lola township, Allen 
county, where he purchased the farm of Thomas Ogg. comprising eighty 
acres of land on section two. There he made his home until his death. 
In his family were seven children, namely: Mary, wife of Shan Naylor, of 
O.sawatomie, Kansas; Eliza A., wife of J. F. Gay, of .\llen countv; Julia, 
wife of Wesley Fisher; Josie, deceased wife of Marion Preston; .\ndre\v J. 
L,., John H. and David M., all of Allen county. 

John H. Beahm accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana 
and thence to Kansas, becoming a resident of this .State when in his fit- 
leenlh year. During his early business career heat different times followed 
broom making, fanning and stock raising, and now devotes his energies to 
the la.st two. His land is under a high state of cultivation, yielding to him 
a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it, and 
the stock which he raises is of good grade. 

On the 2ist of August, 187S, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Beahm and Miss Emma Gay, a daughter of J. X. Gay, who was born in 
Georgia. Five children ble.ss their union: Dora M., OUie, Clarence, Edna 
and Ada. Mr. and .Mrs. Beahm have many warm friends in the communi- 
ty and enjoy the high regard of all with whom thej' have been brought in 
contact. In i)olitics he is a Populist but in no sense a politician. 



^ A WILLIAM CUNNIXGHAM, ex-treasurer of Allen county, whose 

^ ^ business engagements in these parts have spanned the period of 

a third of a century, was born on a farm in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, 



5fH 



HISTORY OF ALLEN AXn 



I-Y-bniary 26, 1S37. His father moved to Beaver county the next vear. auil 
from the common schools of tlie county William entered Beaver Academy, 
^])ending two years there and the succeeding year doiii^ his first work as a 
teacher in tlie public schools. He graduated from the Iron City Com- 
mercial College, of Pittsburg, and filled the position of proofreader and 
mailing clerk on the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate for two years. In 
this latter capacity he earned the funds which defrayed his expenses at the 
Western University of Pennsylvania two years, at the conclusion of which 
period he engaged in teaching school in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, following 
it till the outbreak of the Rebellion. 

In 1862 Mr. Cunningham enli.sted in Battery G, Pennsylvania Artillery , 
served through the war and was discharged at Harrisburg in June, 1865. 
On returning to civil pursuits he took up work where he left off — in the 
Pittsburg public schools. In a few months he was elected principal of 
what is now the 2:^rd ward school of that city and was in that position 
when failing health forced his retirement from the school room. Travel 
seemed one thing which promised the restoration of his health and he 
secured the general agency for the publishing house of Sheldon & Company, 
0I New York, with headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri. He passed the 
tw-o years following in the business, traveling over Missouri and Kansas, 
introducing their school books into the public .schools, and while at 
Sedalia, Missouri, met a very engaging schoolma'm who afterward became 
his wife. 

February 15, 1 871, our subject came to Allen county and stopped in 
Humboldt. The general bustle of business and the apparent thrift of the 
little city attracted him and he was at once possessed of serious intention of 
locating there. He made the acquaintance of Colonel S. H. Stevens then 
in the lumber business and at noon of the same day was installed as the 
latter's chief clerk and salesman. He remained in this business two years 
and, upon retiring went to the new county seat of Woodson county, Kalida, 
and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Grasshoppers destroyed not only the 
crops of the .season following but destroyed Mr. Cunningham's prospects, 
as well, and he traded his goods for cattle and that winter spent his time 
profitably by teaching a country .school in Woodson county. The follow- 
ing spring lie became a full-fledged farmer and remained such until the 
new Citizens Lumber Company, of Humboldt, cho.se him to manage their 
yard there. When this company was absorbed by S. A. Brown in after 
years the subject hereof engaged in the grocery business in Humboldt, 
co'.iti lining it eight years, or until his election as County Treasurer. 

Mr. Cunningham has ever and always been noted for his intense 
R:publicanisin. His interest in things political began almost with his 
residence in Kansas and for many years he has been recognized as one of 
tb.: active, honorable and judicious counselors of his party in local affairs. 
He was nominated for Treasurer of the county in 1887 and in November of 
that year he was elected by a large majority. He was elected two years 
later bv a larger majority than before. His popularity as a public official 
irew with his service and his efficiency as such is unsurpassed. On leav- 



\VOOTJ.SON COUNTI!'..-.. Ka.N.->.v.S. 565 

^iiig tlie county seat in i.Sq6 he returned to Humboldt and was identified 
with the Bank of Humboldt in a clerical capacity. December 3rd of that 
year he opened a lumber yard in Humboldt as the successor of J. P. John- 
son and Leidigh & Huston. The firm of Mj. Cunningham and son is one of 
the prominent enterpri.ses of the city. 

In April, 187 1, Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Etta A. Plielps 
of Windsor, Missouri. Their only child is Arthur W. Cunningham, who 
was married Maj- i,.i90i, to Mary I. Rlackman. 



^/'"^HARLES L. DOWNS, who is engaged in tarmuig m Cottage Grove 
^-^ township, was born in Champaign county, Illinois, on the 22nd of 
November, 1863, and is thesecond child of Samuel E. and Martha Downs, 
who iu the fall of 1865 left their home in Illinois and came to Kansas. 
Their son Charles has therefore been a resident of this State throughout 
almost his entire life. He was reared upon his father's farm in Cottage 
•Grove township, and acquired his education in the stone school house in 
West Cottage Grove. To his fatlier he gave the benefit of his''services until 
he had attained his majority and then started out in life for himself, having 
no capital save a pair of willing hands. 

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Downs chose Miss 
Rosa Lynch, an accomplished young lady of Allen county, their marriage 
being celebrated on the 5th of October, 1885. She was born in Illinois and 
came to Kansas when a maiden of seven years, in company with her 
parents, William and Sarah Jane (Zink) I,ynch, the former a native of 
Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. The mother died in 1874 when Mrs. 
Downs was very young. The following year the father located in Allen 
■county, Kansas, and afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Noyes. His death 
occurred in Kansas, in 1897, when he was sixty-three years of age. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Downs have been born three children; Ethel, Hazel 
and V^elma. 

After his marriage Mr. Downs rented a faim in Allen county, and after- 
ward moved to Neosho county where he continued to operate leased land 
for a number of years. With the capital he had acquired through his 
ceaseless efforts and the assistance of his estimable wife he purchased a 
farm of eighty acres in Cottage Grove township about seven miles south- 
east of Humboldt, removing to that place in the spring of 1899. He has 
a valuable little farm, on which is a good orchard, while native forest trees 
surround his home and add to the attractive appearance of the place. He 
has built a good barn and everything upon the farm indicates the careful 
supervision of a thrifty and progressive owner. He has acquired through 
his own efforts all that he now possesses and iu the years to come 
he will probably be numbered among the most substantial citizens of 
Allen county. 



566 FfrsTORV of allkk .\kv 

CHARLES SCHAFFXER.— Progress is the result of the efforts of in- 
dividual men. Its aiders and abettors are the guiding spirits in every 
conuinmity and its destiny is the glorious triumph of mankind over the 
perplexities and problems of the human race. In these triumphs all races- 
and nations will participate and whether in their native heath or in theii 
adopted country each particulai and individual actor will receive some 
credit for his sacrifice. Chief among our progressive and prosperous peo- 
ple of foreign birth are the Germans. Almost wherever you find an Ameri- 
can there you will find a German, also. In the early settlement of Kansas 
was this fact specially true. Humboldt, one of the oldest places in the 
state, had its German settler as soon as it had its American settler. Not- 
withstanding their new surroundings tliey entered as heartily and as intel- 
ligently into the making of an honorable community, on the American 
plan, as did those who never knew another country. In the past forty 
years many of the Kaiser's subjects have resided in Allen county. Some 
have gained more prominence than others but all, save a few, have done 
socially and tlnanciallv well. Among these, and of the more recent set- 
tlers, is the subject of this brief mention, Charles Schaffner. He needs no 
personal introduction to the leading citizenship of Allen county for he has 
gone in and out among them for more than a score of years and they know 
him to respect and admire him. In his immediate vicinity he is especially- 
esteemed. His character has been a subject of much public scrutiny for 
more than a generation, in Humboldt, and its elements are discovered to be 
of the higher sort. To no man can it be said that he has proven false and 
his reputation for regarding and maintaining his sacred word is of the highest 
order. To him his credit and his good name are his fortune and his ma- 
terial accumulations are not the result ot any shady transactions. 

Charley Schaffner was born in Buchheini, by Freiburg, in the Grand 
Duchy of Baden, Empire of Germany. His birth occurred Dt-cember 26, 
1S44, and he is a son of Daniel Schaffner. a linen weaver. The latter was-- 
born in the same house as his son, Charles, in the year 1.S09 and was mar- 
ried to Ragina Fischei in 1835. He spent his entire life in Buchheim, 
dying in 1894. His wife died at the age of seventy-four. Of their five 
children our subject is the third. The other sons are Joseph, Henry and 
John. Henry and John and a sister remain in Germany while Joseph 
came to the United States in 1870 and resides now in Freemansburg. 
Pennsylvania. 

Charley Schaffner secured what, in this country, would con.stitnte a 
good common school education, with private lessons in French. Upon 
coming of age he determined to seek his fortune in America. He had 
some knowledge of the opportunities for young men in this new and enter- 
prising country and it was in this far away country that he saw his future 
spread out before him. He sailed for New York in 1866 and was landed in 
the great American metropolis with only a .single dollar; and this a ship- 
robber had failed to get. To become a barber seemed the best opening for 
him so he learned the trade and worked In the city till 1874. This latter 



■WOODSOX COUXTIKS, KANSAS. 567 

year he went westward Id Copley, Peniisylvania, where he pursued his 
trade till his removal to Humboldt five years later. 

In fiumholdt Mr. Schaffner has been a busy man. His was the lead- 
ing shop in the city (or twelve years and when he retired from the business 
it was with a consciousness that he had acquired a competency which, if 
■economically adn)inistered, and occasionally supplemented, would endure 
and sustain till his race was run. To further engage histime and talents he 
took up the insurance, loan ami real estate business. In this work he has 
succeeded scarcely less conspicuously than at his trade. His office is the 
mecca toward which those having conveyancing or insuring to d(j direct 
their steps 

Our subject was first married February 22, 1869, to Wolpurka Sch- 
lenk. Two of their three children survive, namely, Emma K., wife of 
John VV. Tholen, of Humboldt, was born May 15, 1870, and Charles H., 
born at Copley, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1871, is a resident of Central 
City, Colorado. September 27, 1887, Mrs Schaffner died. Two years 
later Mr. Schaffner was married in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Mary 
Vogt. a lady of the town ol Buchheim, Baden. 

When it is said that Charley Schaffner nevr profited by any legacy 
of his ancestors it will be seen that he has been the arcliitect of his own 
fortunes. His material achievements have been ample for his personal 
needs and when all his business and social relations have been considered 
and his life work has been summed up it can not be truthfully said that an 
element of failure entered into it. He is prominent in local Odd Fellow- 
ship and in Woodcraft and his connection with the jxilitics of Allen county 
lias not been the least imjxjrtant of his acts. He became a Democrat from 
his ol)servation of the conduct of the affairs of government and affiliated 
■with that party till the reform movement which swept Kansas in 1890 
when he joined hands with it. He was the nominee for County Treasurer 
in 1899 and has served upon different political committees of his parly 
many years. 



"T^ETKR HOKAXSOX was born in Sweden on the 17th of December, 
■*- 1832, and spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his 
birth. Believing that he might better his financial condition in the new 
world he accordingly sailed fi.r America in 1852, locating first at Gales- 
burg, Illinois. In the vicinity of that city he worked as a farm hand until 
after the breaking out of the Civil war, when the spirit of patriotism being 
aroused in him, he enlisted in Company E, of the Eighth Regiment of 
Illinois Infantry. He served for one year, and during that time partici- 
pated in the battles of Fort Spanish, Fort Blakely and several others of im- 
portance. Being overcome by the heat at .Mobile, Alabama, and thus 
rendered unfit for further service he received an honorably discharge in 
1865. 

Mr. Hokanson at once returned to his home in Illinois, and again 



568 illSTORY OF ALLEN AMI'/ 

worked as a lann iiami uu three years. In 1870 he caiiitr lu Kansas aiicf 
purchased one liundred and sixty acres of hind on the south line of Allen 
county in Cottage Grove township, where he has since carried forward the 
work of development and improvement until he now has a very valuable 
property. On it is located a good residence and one of the best barns in' 
the county. He also keeps on hand such amount of stock as he can raise- 
to advantage on his farm and everything about the place is in good- 
condition. 

Mr. Hokanson was married in Illinois in 1865 to Miss Johanna Olson, 
who died April 24, 1882, leaving three children: Albert, Charles and 
Hanna, the last named being now the wife of Benjamin Johnson. Mr. 
Hokanson has been a Republican since casting his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. He came to this country in limited circumstances, but 
his hope of improving his condition has been more than realized. He 
found the opportunity he sought and his energy and careful management 
have brought to him a comfortable competence. 



THOMAS I. KITZMILLER. of Bronson, son of the pioneer, Morgaiv 
B. Kitzmiller, who settled upon section 20, township 25, range 21,- 
now Marmaton township, was born August 22, 1856, in what is now Grant 
county, West Virginia. His father was born in "the old state," was a son 
of John Kitzmiller and a descendant of Pennsylvania German stock. Mary 
J. Bartlett, whom Morgan B. Kitzmiller married, was born in Cumberland, 
Maryland, in 1823. 

The Kitzmiller family left Grant county. West Virginia, in 1864 and 
located in McLean county. Illinois. They came on west to Kansas in 
1S67 and entered their land in Allen county. Here the father died in 
1878. The large family ot children was reared to habits of industry and 
have done their part, in an humble way, in the development of our county. 
In the order of their ages the children are: Frances, wife of William Al- 
lenbaugh, on the Sac and Fox agency, Oklahoma; Charles H. Kitzmiller, 
of Junction Citv, Kansas; James Kitzmiller, of Chicago. Illinois; Thomas; 
Ella, wife of William Hildreth, of Pittsburg, Kansas; William Kitzmiller, 
of English. Indiana; Carrie, of Ciaro, Illinois, widow of A. D. Eaton; Ross 
and Nettie, twins, the former of Bourbon county, Kansas, and the latter, 
widow of A. D. Sho waiter. 

Thomas Kitzmiller was a farmer from youth till 1880. September 16, 
of this year he enlisted in the regular army in Company K, Nineteenth In- 
fantry, stationed in the Indian Teriitory. He did most of his soldiering 
in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico and was stationed at different times in 
Forts Sam Houston, Brown, Duncan, Clark and Gibson, and during the 
Geronimo trouble he aided in the rounding-up of that Indian chief. He 
re-enlisted at the expiration of his first five years' term and. May 16, 1890, 
he was sent to Fort Porter, Buffalo. New York, where he was discharged 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 569 

July 3. of that year. For the next nine years Mr. Kitzniiller remained 
with the old home in Allen county. 

In 1S99 Mr. Kitzniiller made a trip to Alaska. He sailed on the 
steamer ' Alki" for Skagway and tramped it to Chilcoot Pass. There his 
heart failed him. All was bleak and cold and desolation. Suffering was 
all about and nothing visible to urge him on. He returned to the states 
during the late spring and stopped at Puget Sound. While looking about 
the Sound he went salmon fishing and encountered a hurricane. The boat 
was wrecked and he reached another; it went down and he boarded a third 
and was finally rescued. In this experience he sacrificed all his personal 
possessions, including $293 in cash. In October of the same year he 
reached Kansas again, a somewhat wiser, but a poorer man. 

The Kitzmillers of this branch have only one word to express their 
political leanings — Republican. The father was a charter member of the 
party and his sons have maintained the family tradition. 



I ACOB GOODXER whose residence in Allen county has been pro- 
" ductive of much material prosperity to himself and whose location 
upon the old Perkins tract in lola is a matter of general information to the 
old settlers of the city dates his residence in the county from the year 1880. 
He succeeded W. J. Ihrig in the ownership of his farm on Elm creek and 
has continued the occupation of his fathers to this day. Mr. Goodner emi- 
grated from Saint Cloud, Minnesota, to Kansas but settled in the north in 
1861 as an emigrant from Vermillion county, Illinois. He was born in 
Switzerland county, Indiana, August 30, 1832. His father. Michael Good- 
lier, was a farmer and one of the pioneers to that wonderful foreign com- 
munity in southern Indiana. The latter was born in Kentucky in 1808 
and died in Stearns county, Minnesota, September 29, 1889. He settled in 
Minnesota in 1862 and was a quiet and unobtrusive farmer whose ambition 
was to do right and rear his family to respectability. His wife, nee Cath- 
erine Connor, died in Vermillion county, Illinois. Their children were: 
Daniel, deceased; Jackson, of Stearns county, Minnesota, and David Good- 
ner, of the same point; Margaret, wife of Eli Hoskins, of Stearns county; 
Henry Goodner, of Edgar county, Illinois; Xancy, wife of Henry Casert, of 
Oregon, and Jacob Goodner. 

Jacob Goodner went into Vermillion county, Illinois, in infancy with 
his parents. He learned to do the work of the farm effectually and suc- 
cessfully. Although his family is one of the ancient ones in the United 
States it came out of Germany and settled along the Atlantic coast and 
came to Kentucky through N'orth Carolina. This fact of sturdy origin 
gives our subject a title to special traits of industry and it is these qualities 
which have in a measure marked him through life. 

Mr. Goodner was married in Vermillion county, Illinois, to Maria 
Clark. She died in lola in 1885, without issue. In 1887 Mr. Goodner 



570 HISTORY OF AI.LKN AND 

ni.irried Catlierine, a daughter of Samuel Blooiu. The children of this 
marriage are: Clarence, Fern, p-ayette, Elmer and Lillie Goodner. 

Mr. Goodner became a Republican in 1856 and a Populist in 1S92. 
He sold the site of the Michigan Portland Cement Company to that com- 
pmy in 1899 and has been benefitted in other ways by the discovery of gas 
at lola. 



T^ WILLIAM A. COWAN, one of the best known of lola business 
^ ^ men, was born at White Post, Indiana, December 9, 1842. May 
10, i860, in company with his father and other members of the family, he 
started for Kansas, arriving in lola June 22. After a month of prospecting 
he decided to remain permanently in lola and this has ever since been his 
home. 

For the first few years of his residence in lola Mr. Cowan worked at 
odd jobs and as mail carrier, in the meantime serving an apprenticeship at 
cabinet making with Joseph Culbertson. In 1869 he entered the store of 
Ridenour & Baker, then the principal mercantile establishment of the town, 
and served with them for four years. Having accumulated a small capital, 
in 1873 he entered into partnership with W. H Richards in the grocery 
business. The firm prospered and when, six years later, Mr. Cowan with- 
drew from it he had sufficient capital to warrant him in erecting a com- 
modious store building on the west side of the sijuare, in which he placed a 
stock of groceries, soon afterwards adding also a stock of drugs. A few 
years later he sold his interest in this store to his brother, S. J. Cowan, in 
order to assume an official position in the lola Carriage Works Company, in 
which he was a large stock holder. When this company quit business Mr. 
Cowan took charge of the drug department of Cowan & Ausherman's store 
and also assumed the agency of the Pacific Express Company, both which 
positions he continues to fill. 

During the '70s Mr. Cowan studied law for the menta} training, but 
never practiced the profession. He filled the office of township clerk and 
school district clerk for many years, served one term on the city council, 
three consecutive years as mayor of the city and later five years as city 
clerk. Physically Mr. Cowan is of slender figure, weighing but one hun- 
dred and twenty-five pounds, and of rather frail appearnance, and yet he 
has reached his fifty-ninth year without having spent a day in bed, or even 
so much as lost a single meal from sickness during his whole life. After 
m'.king this statement it does not need to be added that Mr. Cowan's per- 
sonal habits are irreproachable. From his boyhood he has so conducted 
hi.nself as to win the respect and the entire confidence of all with whom he 
has had business or social relations. As his official record shows, he has 
enjoyed the esteem as well as the confidence of his neighbors, having won 
b >th by a consistently upright life. Ever since he became a citizen of lola 
he has labored unselfishly for the upbuilding of the town, and has con- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS tjy i 

tributCvi liberally in money and in time toward this object. Still in the 
piime of life, he enjoys the high regard of his fellow townsmen and is a 
large factor in the business life of the ci y. 

Inquiry into the family history 0£ W. A. Cowan reveals the fact that 
about the year 1790 two Cowan brothers came from Scotland, one locating 
in North Carolina and the other in Virginia. The Virginia brother had 
one son, Robert Cowan, a Colonel in the Virginia military organization. 
A son of this Colonel Cowan served in the War of 181 2, appearing on the 
I oils as Ensign W. A. Cowan. Ensign Cowan married Miss Bathsheba 
McBride. Their only son. John M. Cowan, was the father of W. A. 
Cowan, the subject of this sketch. John M. Cowan was born April 12, 
1810, at Romney, Virginia. He learned the tiade of a tanner and worked 
at it until he removed to Monticello, Indiana, in 1835. In 1836 he mar- 
ried Eliza A. Rifenberrick, a daughter of Dr. Samuel Rifenberrick, ot Mon- 
ticello, and soon afterwards removed to Pulaski county, Indiana, where he 
was appointed post-master of a country office called White Post. He held 
several local offices and was a member of the legislature in the 50s, serving 
in that body while Schuyler Colfax served in the constitutional convention, 
then in session, the friendship then formed between the two proving to be' 
of life long duration. After coming to Kansas, as above related, Mr.' 
Cowan was for .several years engaged in the grocery and drug business, his 
last regular employment being that of mail carrier. His wife died in 1886, 
and he survived her but a fevv months, passing away July 3, 1887. Eleven 
children were born to them of whom the following survive: Mary B. , wife 
of Benjamin F. Pancoast; Maria L., widow of B. Brewster; W. A.; vSaninel 
J ; Ella F. , and Emma C, wife of E. T. Barber. 

W. A. Cowan was married April 16, 1868, to Lizzie A. Fuhvider, and 
to thetn have been born two sons, Chester L., of Denver, Colorado, and 
Oscar L., of lola. 



"^ A /"ADE M. ADAMS is now accounted one of the substantial farmers 
^ ^ of Cottage Grove township, and the secret of his success lies in 
the fact that his career has been one of marked industry. He was born in 
Madison county, Kentucky, on the 30th of June, 1847, £"'d was reared on a 
farm. His parents, John S. and Lamina (Walker) Adams, were also 
natives of Kentucky, and there spent their entire lives, the father following 
the occupation of farming in pursuit of fortune. He passed away at the 
age of sixty-five while his wife was called to her final rest at the age of 
sixty! They had seven children, of whom three are living, Mrs. 
Eliza Ramsay and Mrs. Lucy Armstrong being residents of Madison county, 
Kentucky. 

Wade M. Adams, their only surviving brother, was a school boy in 
that countv about the middle of the nineteenth century, pursuing his 
education in the common schools near his home. He lived with his parents 



372 HISTOkV OF AI.LEX AND 

until twenty -three years of age. and then started out in life for himself, 
securing as a companion and helpmate on life's journey one of the young 
ladies of Madison county. Miss Theodosia Cornelison. a daughter of James 
and Susan Jane (Boogs) Cornelison. who were natives of the Blue Grass 
State, as was their daughter. The marriage occurred October 3. 1872, and 
thinking to improve their financial condition in a western district they 
removed to L:ifayette county, Missouri, in 1879, where Mr. Adams operated 
rented lands tor six years. In the S])ring of 18S6 he came with his family 
t > Allen county, Kansas, and took up his abode in Cottage Grove township, 
five miles south of Humboldt, where he again leased a tract of land and 
continued renting for eleven years. During that period he added to his 
capital from time to time until he had accumulated a sum sufficient to 
purchase one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, constituting one of the 
best farms in Cottage Grove township. He took up his abode thereon and 
has since made it his home. Tlie succeeding years have been a prosperous 
period to him, and he is now in possession of a handsome competence 
sufficient for a rainy day and for the needs of old age. 

• Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born ten children and with the 
exception of May, who died in 1S94, ^t the age of twenty-one years, all are 
yet living, namely: J. K., at home: Anna, wife of Fred Houser, of Kansas 
City, Missouri; Thomas, Ei, James, Wade, William, Claude and Dora, 
who are still with their parents. The family are widel> and favorablv 
known in Cottage Grove township and Allen county and have many warm 
friends throughout this poition of the State. Mr. Adams' prosperity is the 
merited reward of his labor and his life illustrates most forcibly the power 
of industrv and honestv in a business career. 



V.A. SXEERIXGER. of Humboldt, early settler and respected citizen, 
• was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. September 2nd, 1837. 
Joseph Sneeringer, his father, was born in the same county. His mother. 
Margaret O'Bold. was born in that State. Joseph Sneeringer was well 
known in the milling business of the Keystone State for he owned and 
operated .>;everal grist mills, and that most successfully. He was also a 
farmer. Hi^ family was a large one. there being fourteen children in all, 
his son, V. .A.., being the thirteenth child and one of four surviving. 

The Sneeringers are of Swiss stock. Joseph Sneeringer Sr. , our 
subject's grandfather, emigrated to America in 1777 and the stone hou.se he 
erected in Adams county, Pennsylvania, that year still stands, in perfect 
order, and is occupied by some of his descendants. The old Swiss patri- 
arch died in 1854 at ninety years of age. His son. our subject's father, was 
b irn in 1787 and died in 1S71. The latter's father-in-law was Mr. O'Bold. 
an Irishman. Mr. O'Bold left Ireland about 1795 and took up his resi- 
dence in Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he died full of years. 

V. A. Sneeringer remained on the family homestead till he was thirty 
years of age when he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was located in 



WOODSON COL'NTIES. KAN'SAS. 573 

the track of the Rebel army when it invaded Pennsylvania and was called 
out in the defense of Gettysburg. He belonged to the State militia 
and took an active part in the battle that occurred about that city. 
His propert}', in goods and wares, nvas largely stolen and carried away 
by the enemy and its value has never yet been recovered by the government. 

After the war Mr. Sneeringer secured a stock of dry goods and came 
to Kansas, but before his goods arrived he sold them to the well-remein- 
bered T. K. P'oster and hired to the latter as a clerk at a large salary. 
Succeeding his employment with Foster he went into the store of Hysinger 
& Rosenthal in the same capacity and remained several years. His pleas- 
ant address and obliging disposition made it an easy matter for Mr. Sneer- 
inger to procure a po.sition with the leading houses of the city. 

For some years after his retirenient from the counter Mr. Sneeringer 
was engaged in dealing in and handling real estate and, more recently, in 
looking after his own interests in this line. 

Mr. Sneeringer was married in Kansas in 1871 to Miss Harriet Robin- 
son. An only child, a daughter, Minnie, resulted from this marriage. 
The latter passed through the Humboldt schools and graduated in the 
Concordia College. She is an orator of much ability and possessing rare 
gifts as an elocutionist. She made a few speeches in Kansas for Grover 
Cleveland in 1S92 and did so well that she was sent to Ohio bv the national 
committee where she toured the .State and did telling work for Democracy. 
In the campaign of 1896 she repeated her tour of Kansas and Ohio in the 
interest of Mr. Bryan and in 1900 many letters came to her entreating 
her to return to Ohio and even to enter Pennsylvania in a speech-making 
tour for Bryan and Stevenson. 



\ A WILLIAM R. SMITH — Among the substantial and public-spirited 
^ ' farmers of Marmaton township is William R. Smith, of Bronson. 
He settled near the east line of Allen county, on the southeast quarter of 
section 33, township 24, range 21, purchasing the right of John Meeks to 
the land. He moved his bachelor quarters into the little box cabin, 14x16, 
and lived alone the first year. All the.se primitive improvements have 
given way to substantial and modern ones and our subject is today the owner 
of one of the attractive farms on the Bronson and Moran road. 

Mr. Smith came to Kansas from Cass county, Missouri, but is a native 
of Caledonia, Ohio. He was born December 13, 1855, and is a son of 
Noah Smith residing near the place of our subject's birth. Noah Smith 
went from Maryland out to Ohio in an early day. Farming has been his 
theme and practice and he has remained a citizen where he first rolled a 
log or plowed a furrow. He was born in Maryland in 1829, and was 
married to Jemimah Richey who died in 1894. Their children were: 
William R.; Emma, wife of E. Gaddis, of Caledonia. Ohio; Miss Mary Smith 
of the old home and Corwin Smith, of Ft. Scott, Kansas. 

William R. Smith left home soon after he came of age. As a youth 



574 . HISTORY OF AI.I.EN AND 

and young man he followed farming, making brick and painting. He ac- 
cumulated a small amount ol money at various honorable pursuits and 
came west, by the advice of Horace Greeley, as it were. Without the 
funds to provide him a team he sold off the right-of-way to the Missouri 
Pacific railway across his land and with the proceeds purchased a team 
with which to break and begin the cultivation of his farm. In April, i8So, 
he was married to Eva Garber, whose father. Abram Garber, came to Allen 
county, in 1878 from Illinois. Her mother died in 1882. 

Mr. Smith is a Republican. His ancestors espoused the same faith. 
He takes no special interest in active politics and when he has cast his 
ballot he has performed his whole duty to the State. 



JA.MKS TOWNSEND — Among the well known citizens of Allen county 
there stands out conspicuously that early settler, that thrifty farmer, that 
splendid citizen and gentleman, James Townsend. For more than 
thirty years he has gone about his duties of field and pasture amongst the 
people of his county winning a prominent position among her substantial 
men and commanding an enviable station in the respect and confidence of 
his fellow citizens. 

James Town.send was born in Johnson county, Indiana, February 7, 
1835. He is a son of a successful farmer and early settler of that county, 
Major Townsend, who emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in 1820 and, 
in 1828 settled in Johnson county. Major Townsend was born in Mary- 
land in 1796 and died in Indiana in 1846. Joshua and Sarah (Merrel) 
Townsend were his parents. Their other children were; William, Nancy, 
wife of James Reed: Joseph, married Miss Barnett; Charlotte, became the 
wife of William Hamilton; John, married Mary Wilson; Ann, wife of David 
Wear; Mildred; Joshua; Sarah, who became Mrs. Harrison Be.ss; Mary Ann, 
Mrs. William Bess and Leah, who married Thomas Pucket. 

Joshua Townsend migrated to Kentucky near the beginning of the 
19th century and, later, brought his family into Indiana and died in Clark 
county, that State, about 1821. H; was a slave owner in Kentucky 
and was one of the strong exponents and earnest advocates of the Demo- 
cratic faith. 

Major Townsend, as a citizen, was much the man his father was. He 
permitted no man to challenge his Democracy but in the exciting days of 
Nullification and of the fiery congressional debates he saw troubles ahead 
for his partv. He prophesied that the Calhoun wing of Democracy would 
cause a split in the party and that families would be divided, brothers 
against each other and father against son. How true the prediction was 
history will reveal. Major Townsend married Phebe Biggs, a grand- 
daughter of an Irishman and patriot soldier of the American Revolution. 

The Biggs family is one of the original families of the United States. 
Its history starts with that of our country and begins with Robert Biggs, the 




yt trn^ / (? O G 



•WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 575 

Patriot. He was born in Erin's Isle and married Jane Miller, a Scotch 
lady. Their children were: John, who married Mary Jane Collins; Robert, 
Andrew, married Miss Criss and Nancy, Nicholas Ciiss; Joseph; Hannah, 
wife of Robert Carnes; Saaiuel; Mary, Thompson; Abner, married Miss 
Miller, and Elizabeth and Jane married Henry and William Criss, 
respectively. 

John Biggs was our subject's grandfather. He was in the United 
States service at Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1812, at the time of the historic 
Indian massacre of the Pigeon Roost. In this massacre many of our 
subject's ancestors were victims, both on the Biggs and Collins side, and a 
brief notice with reference to it will not be uninteresting. The place then 
known as the Pigeon Roost was in Clark county, Indiana, and the settlers 
were widely sepaiated and within easy reach of the Red Man. In 1812 
the lattei fell upon this settlement and murdered William E. Collins' wife 
and many of his children. Mr. Collins was an Indian fighter and in this 
attack he killed three before his gun was disabled and then made his 
escape to the stockade. John Collins, Sichie Richie, I.ydia Collins and 
Jane Biggs, by hiding, escaped death in the massacre; Jane Biggs traveled 
barefoot through the wood, all night, with her four children: Miller, Phebe,- 
William and Robert and reached the fort the next morning, seven miles 
away. Her hu.-iband was in the regular army and she was compelled to 
find shelter and protection for their family. 

The counties of Clark, Harrison, Jefferson and Knox, in southern 
Indiana, lived in a state of alarm during the years preceding the close of 
the war of 18 12 and Zebulon Collins, a pioneer of Scott county, describing 
those days of peril said: "The manner in which I used to work in those 
days was as follows: On all occasions I carried my rifle, tomahawk and 
butcher-knife, with a loaded pistol in my belt. When I went to plow I laid 
my gun on the plowed ground and stuck a stick by it for a mark so that I 
could get it quickly in case it was wanted. I had two good dogs. I took 
one into the house, leaving the oiher out. The one outside was expected 
to give the alarm which would cause the one inside to bark and awaken 
me. I kept my horses in a stable clo.se to the house, having a porthole so 
that I could shoot to the stable door. During two years I never went from 
home with any certainty of returning, but in the midst of all these dangers 
God, who never sleeps nor slumbers, has kept me.". 

The Pigeon Roost massacre was the most noted one in Indiana, and 
was one that, for many years, was recalled with fear and horror. It oc- 
curred in the present limits of Clark county in a place called "the Pigeon 
Roost Settlement," the gathering place for myriads of passenger pigeons. 
This settlement, which was founded by a few families in i8og. was confined 
to about a square mile of land, and it was separated from all other settlements 
by a distance of five or six miles. 

In the afternoon of the 3rd of September 1812, Jeremiah Payne and 
a Mr. Coffman, hunting for bee trees two miles north of the Pigeon settle- 
ment, were surprised and killed by a party of Indians. This party, 
which consisted of ten or twelve warriors, nearly all of whom were 



576 HISTORY OK VLLICN AND 

SliHwuees, attacked the settlement about sunset of the same day and, in an 
h)ur, killed one man, five women and sixteen children, some of their bodies, 
being consumed in the fires which laid low their cabins. 

The persons massacred in this settlement were Henry Collins anil 
wife, the wife of Jeremiah Payne and eight of her children, Mrs. Richard 
Collins and seven of her children, Mrs. John Morris and child and the 
mother of John Morris. Mrs. Jane Biggs escaped with her children a.s 
before stated and reached the home of her brother, Zebulon Collins, 
in safety. 

William Collins at seventy years of age, defended his house for three- 
quarters of an hour against the Indians. In this defense he was assisted 
bv Captain John Morris. As soon as darkness came on the two escaped 
with the two children in the house, John and Lydia Collins, eluded their 
pursuers and reached the home of Zebulon Collins. The Indians engaged 
in the massacre escaped the militia of the county and the victims of the 
massacre were buried in one grave. 

The Collins' were of German origin. William E. Collins, our subject's 
great grandfather, was a. son of foreign parents. They seem to have settled 
in Pennsylvania and there he married Phebe Hoagland. Their children 
were: Richard, married, second, Nancy Collins; Cams, married Katy 
Cooper; Zebulon, married Mary Gearnsy; Henry, married Mi.ss Houghman: 
John, married Jane Brodie; Elizabeth, wife of Abe Richie; Sichie, married 
John Richie; Lydia, wife of Harper Cochran, and Mary Jane, wife of the 
soldier, John Biggs. 

The family of John and Jane Biggs arc: Miller, who married Sallie 
.McConnell: Phebe, wife of Major Towusend; William, who married Nancy 
McConnell; Robert, whose wife was Frances Dewey: Harrison, married 
Mary Patterson; Henry, our subject's father-in-law, married Sarah Bess; 
John, wife of John Hay, and Elizabeth, whose husband was Thomas 
McDonald. 

Major Town.send's children are: Sarah J., in Johnson county, Indiana; 
Harvey; Lavina, deceased, married Lawrence Low; James, the subject of 
this notice; Harvey, who died in Indiana, leaving a family in Johnson 
county; Merrill and Alonzo Towusend, both deceased. 

James Towusend was sparingly educated in the log cabin of his time. 
This necessitated a long and lonely tramp through the dense wood and 
getting an education was a trying ordeal then. He married at nineteen 
years of age and moved into a new neighboihood, clearing up a new farm to 
begin the battle of life. He possessed a horse and a suit of clothes and, 
with this as his capital in sight, he became the head of a household. He 
worked the first year of his married life at $14.00 a month. Next he 
became a renter and, as he accumulated he .stored away for the farm he 
finally bought. In 1854-5 his taxes were $10.00 and in 1866 his taxes were 
$166.60. With his growing family he began to feel crowded in Indiana 
and he determined to seek a broader field of operations in Kansas. He 
came to this State first in 1865 and made a prospecting tour of the southeast 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 577 

part of the State •finally deciding to locate in Allen conntj'. He purchased 
what is still his home place and, in 1868, brought his family hither. 

In the years that Mr. Townsend has been a Kansan he has met fortune 
and misfortune, and fortune again. Security signing cost him all but his 
spirit and energy. He was given an opportunity to recover his losses and 
he made the most of it. He has paid interest enough in Kansas to buy a 
ranch and he is yet far ahead of his creditors. He owns nearly a section of 
the best land Allen county possesses and, in 1899, left the homestead to 
rest in retirement in lola. 

Mr. Townsend was first mariied to Sarah Branigan, in Indiana. Their 
children were; John M., who died in 1887 and left a son, Edward; Thomas 
J., Lawrence; Ira; L,avina, wife of Martin Cahalen, of Johnson county, 
lud. ; Abe L,. ; Mary, wife of Frank Cox, of Indiana, and George W. Town- 
send. For his second wife Mr. Townsend married Sarah A., a daughter ot 
the late Henry Biggs. Their children are: Emma, wife of Fred Cramer, 
and Ella, deceased, married William Heese. ,She left one child, Henry 
Roscoe Heese, living in Allen county. 

James Townsend has no man to blame for his politics but himself. 
His ancestors were Democrats and his first wife's people were rank Copper- 
heads. He lived in a community that was almost solidly Democratic 
about the time he reached his majority yet, he rebelled against the practice 
and started in right the first vote he cast. He is entitled to be called a 
Republican because he was at the bedside when the party was born. He 
yields to no man the honor of being more American than he. He upheld 
the cause of the Union as against Secession and has been right on every 
important proposition of governmental policy since the war. 



/CHARLES F. SCOTT, son of John W. and Maria Protsman Scott, 
^-^ whose lives" are sketched on another page of this book, was born on 
his father's farm in Carlyle township September 7, i860. The first four- 
teen years of his life were spent in the usual way, working upon the farm 
in the summer and attending the district school in the winter. In 1874 the 
family removed to lola, where the subject of this sketch continued his 
studies, clerking in stores or doing any other work he could find to do in 
the summers. In the fall of 1877 he entered the University of Kansas from 
which he was graduated in 188 1. 

Upon leaving the University his father gave him ten dollars. That 
was the cash capital with whicli he began life for himself, and he has never 
had a dollar since that he did not earn. 

BoiTowing enough additional from a friend to pay his fare, he went to 
Silverton, Colorado, where he spent the summer of 1881 working in a hard- 
ware store and doing some newspaper work. 

In the fall of 1881, in company with two friends, he drove down into 
New Mexico, stopping at Socorro, where he secured employment as a 



578 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

copyist in the office of the county clerk, at the same time serving as cook 
for a gang of workmen for his board. 

Early in 1882 he went to Arizona where he got a job as book keeper 
and clerk for a railroad contractor. He continued to do this work until his 
employer sold out, in the fall of 1882, when he returned to lola, having 
learned that an interest in the lola Register was for sale. 

When he reached home he had $250 to show for his eighteen months 
work. He paid $200 of this down for a fourth interest in the lola Regis- 
ter, then a small weekly paper, his partners in the enterprise being his 
brother, A. C. Scott, and E. E. Rohrer. At the end of two years he 
bought his brother's interest, and a year later the interest of Mr. Rohrer, 
since which time he has been the sole proprietor of the paper, to which he 
has given practically his entire time and attention. 

In 1891 Mr. Scott was appointed a regent of the University of Kansas, 
and was re-appointed to the same position by Gov. Morrill and Gov. Stan- 
ley, the appointment in each instance being made without his solicitation. 
He resigned this office upon his election to Congress in 1900. 

In 1892 he was nominated without opposition and by acclamation as 
the Republican candidate for State Senator, and was one of the fifteen Re- 
publican Senators who escaped the Populist landslide of that year. He 
served in the vSenate in the .sessions of 1893-5, being an active participant 
in the bitter debates precipitated by the "Lewelling War," and serving as 
a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. 

In 1900 he was nominated as the Republican candidate for Congress- 
man-at-large from the State of Kansas, and was elected by a plurality 
of 18890 votes over J. Botkin, the F'usion candidate. 

Mr. Scott spent the summer of 1891 in Europe. He wrote weekly 
letters to his paper and these were afterwards published in book form under 
the title "Letters." 

In 1893 Mr. Scott was president of the Kansas State Editorial Associa- 
tion and had charge of the special train by which the members went to the 
World's Fair at Chicago. He was president of the Republican State- 
League in 1895, and of the Kansas Day Club in 1900, and has been offici- 
ally connected with various other editorial and political associations. He 
has taken part as a speaker in all the campaigns of his party since 1884, 
and has made numerous addresses of an educational and patriotic nature in 
various parts nf the State. 

Mr. Scott was married June 15, 1893, to May Brevard Ewing, daughter 
of H. A. Ewing a sketch of whose family history has been given elsewhere 
in this book. The children of this union ars Ewing Carruth, born August 
28, 1894; Ruth Merrinian, born December 30, 1897, and Angelo C. , born 
November 17, 1899. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 578^ 

JACOB C. STRICKLER, ol Allen county, came into Carlyle township in 
the year 1872 and located upon section 19, township 23, range 19. 
He succeeded Randolph Wilmuth upon the farm he owns, then a new and 
practically virgin piece of prairie. Here he has since lived and labored 
and enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity. His acres have broadened 
from their original area until he pays taxes upon nearly one-half of the 
section. 

Prior to his removal to Kansas Mr. Strickler resided six years in 
Monroe county, Iowa. He was born in Park county, Indiana, August 17, 
1845. His ancestors were Virginians, his father having been born in the 
Old Dominion, and planted a branch of the family in Park county, Indiana, at 
an early date. Mr. Strickler is a son of Henry and a grandson of Jacob 
Strickler, both of whom died in Park county. Indiana. Jacob Strickler Sr. 
was born in 177S and died in 1874 while Henry, his son, was born in 1810 
and died in 1855. The grandfather was a blacksmith and gunsmith and 
was married to a Miss Ehrhart. Henry Strickler, their first child, married 
Catharine Ehrhart. Their children were: Virginia, deceased, who married 
Monroe Long; Jacob C; Mary C. , of M(jberly, Missouri, wife of Samuel 
Dickersou; Martha J., of Idaho county, Idaho, is the wife of Dick Henley; 
Ellen, oi Park count\ , Indiana, is married to Polk Whit.sell, and Joseph, of 
Park county, Indiana. 

Jacob Strickler remained ivith the old home till reaching his majority. 
In November, 1865, he was married to Samantha D. Reitzel, a daughter of 
Henry Reitzel, who went into Park county, Indiana, from Kentucky and 
married Catherine Duncan. Mr. and Mrs. Strickle: 's children are: Nelson 
T., who married Nora Herrick and resides in Anderson county, Kansas; 
Frances B. ; Elmer, Claud and Millie. 

In affairs political the early Stricklers were allied with the Democratic 
party. Our subject became a Republican upon choosing his political home 
and remained with that organization till 1897 when he joiifbd forces with 
the People's party. 



*£' 












WOODSON Ct^l'NTY COUKT HUl'SE. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 579 



HISTORY OF ALLEN AND WOODSON COUNTIES 

PART II 

WOODSON COUNTY 



111 "Andreas History of Kansas," (popularly known as the "Herd 
Book,") Woodson County is said to have bten named for (iiovernor Silas 
Woodson, of Missouri, while Webb Wilder, in his "Annals of Kansas," 
new edition, says the county was named in honor of Daniel Woodson, who 
was the first Secretary of the territory of Kansas and who also acted at 
various intervals as Oovernor of the territoiy by virtue of his office as 
Secretary. As a further evidence of the correctness of Mr- Wilder, and 
as proof positive that the county was named in honor of Daniel Woodson 
a letter from ex-Senator John Martin replying to a query of the Hon. 
Leander Still well on this same point says: "You are entirely right about 
the name of Woodson. The county was named in honor of Daniel 
Woodson, who was Secretary of the territory in 1855-6 and a part of 
1857, I think, and who frequently acted as Governor during those years. 
He was from Lynchburg. Virginia, and a most excellent man. Governor 
Silas Woodson was not even thought of in connection with the naming 
id' the county." 

As ex-Senator Martin held the position of assistant clerk of the House 
el' Representatives of the tei'ritorial legislature which created and named 
AVoodson County he is more familiar with the acts of that bodj^ than any 
one not a member of it and is. therefore, competent to give accurate and 
reliable information as to the act creating Woodson County. 

Wlu'ii the honor of a name was conferred upon the unsettled and 
almost unknown tract in the third tier of counties from the ea.st line of the 



^s • HISTORY OF ALLHN AND 

bialc the space designated liy the first hgislature which created it con- 
lained little, if any, of the territory which now bears the name of Woodson 
{'onnly. To iiniltMstand this matter the proceedings of the "Bogus Legis- 
latuie"' (in coiisciiucncc of gross irregularities connected with their 
election) of ISoo nuist be gone into. One act of that body, among others, 
laid out a whole block of rectangular comities. This act was passed 
liei'ore surveys were made, and boundary lines of counties were given in 
miles from the points named. The initial point for counties south of 
the Kansas rivt r was the mouth of that river. The southeast corner of 
•John.son County was twenty-six miles south of that point, the southeast 
coiner of Lykeiis (i^Iianii) County was twenty-four miles farther south: 
ilie southern boundary of Linn was twenty-four miles farther south, 
Bourbon County extended thirty miles farther south and McGee County 
!'an to the Tei-i'itory Vuw. Four tiers of Counties were blocked out in 
e.\act conformity to the-se. and in the third tier lay Woodson County, the 
f-econd from the south line and occupying almost the identical land now 
known as Wilson County. 

In 1857 the counties of the third tier were crowded northward, and 
Wilson, taking in what was AVoodson. pushed the latter to nearly its 
pre.'sent boundaries 

In 1861. through a blunder on the part of the Representative from 
this county, a new surve.v and location of boundaries took from the south 
line a strip three miles in width and gave it to Wilson County, which 
has ever since held it. 

By the act of 18;i7 the boundaries of Woodson County were defined 
ii.s follows: Beginning at the southwest coi'ner of Anderson County: 
llence s(uith along the west boundary of Allen County to the northwest 
coi-ner of Born County : thence west with the section lines to the four 
corners of sections 14 and 15, 22 and 23 of town.ship 28 south, range 
13 east: thence north with the .section lines dividing the second and third 
t'er of sections, to the southwest corner of CoiTey County: thence east 
along the :-«outh boundary of said CotTey County to the place of beginning. 

By the general statutes of 1868 Woodson County is bounded as 
follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of Anderson County; 
Iheuce south with section lines ahd the west line of Allen County to the 
south line of township 26. south : thence west with said township line 
and the north line of W^ilson County, to the east line of Greenwood 
County: thence north with said east line of Greenwood County to the 
four corners of sections 14 and 15. 22 and 23 of township 23 south of 
range 13 east: thence east on section lines and the south line of CofTey 
County to the place of beginning. 

Ninety per cent of AVoodson County is upland, the remainder river 
and creek bottom. About six per cent of the original surface of the 
county Avas covered with forest and the remainder was prairie. The 
Neosho TJiver. whicli enters near the northeast corner of the county and 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 58 1 

runs southeasterly to the county line, is the principal stream. The 
Verdigris River cuts across the southwest corner of the county, and 
Owl Creek, rising in three "head streams" (North and South Owl Cieek 
and Cherry Creek) near the center of the county tlows southeast to the 
county line. Buifalo, East and West, rises toward the south line of 
the county and runs across the line into Wibon County. Big and 
Little Sandy are creeks of importance in Belmont township, the one 
rising in the west and the other in the east part of the township and 
furnishing an abunda nceof spring water. The belts of timber vvliich once 
lined the banks of the streams, and extended out into the bottoms from 
a few rods to a mile in width, liave been largely cleared away, but 
the "jack oak hills" have been fenced, and the once scrub brush has 
grown into young forests in placas, and its importance as a source of wood 
supply has come to be considered of some consequence. 

Woodson County is well watered. Springs abound in the hill 
country, large pools in the creeks of the lowlands supply stock water and 
well water is found in sufficient quantities from twenty to forty feet below 
the surface. 

Coal is found in veins of considerable thickness in the western half 
of the county and it was once depended upon for a considerable item of 
fuel. As a resource it was mined and marketed to some extent but as 
heavy "stripping" was necessary to reach the coal the labor expended 
came to be regarded of more value than the mined coal. 

The ridge passing through the center of the county and upon which 
the county seat is located abounds in a fine grade of sandstone. It is 
stratified and varies in thickness from a few inches to a few feet- Several 
quarries have been opened and considerable quantities of the stone taken 
out but used largely by the settlers and by contractors and builders in 
the construction of the county seat. In color the stone is a deep cream or 
a light brown and when first taken from the ground contains a large 
percent of water and is, therefore, easy to work. 



5^2 HISTORY OF ALI.EK AND 



iearlv> Settlers 

All of Woodson County and a small strip off the south side of Coffey 
County was included in the New York Indian Reserve. This strip began 
!i' the state line and ran westward beyond the surveys, while on the south 
it joined the Osage Reserve. The Woodson County part of the strip was 
never occupied by any of the New York tribe.s, their only settlement being 
a temporary one near Ft. S'eott. Finding that the Indians would not 
settle on the Reserve, the Oovernnient, in 1860. had all of these lands 
offered for sale and opened to pre-emption at the land office at Ft. Scott. 
There were. many squatter settlers scattered about over the county, people 
who had come into the county as early a.s 1855 and '5fi and on down to 
1860. and these settlers hastened to the land oft'ice. upon hearing of the 
Government's move in placing the land upon the market, and made 
entries of their clioice of lands. 

Just who the first settlers of the county actually were it is difficult 
af this date to determine. Many of the "first settlers" passed on, later, 
and those who remained are not certain as to whom the honoi' of the 
"first settler" in the county really belongs. On March 2. 1857 Jack 
Oavan, John Woolnian, John Chapman and others reached Neosho Palls. 
Soon after this the Stock-brands. xVugust Lauber and Autrust Toedmau 
settled in Center township and there were some early settlements made 
in Belmont town.ship. Reuben Daniels settled in the latter place in 
1856 and some of his children and many of his grandchildren reside 
there still. The Gregorys went into Belmont as early as 1858 and James 
and Cortes Gregory, two sons of the pioneer, have resided almost continu- 
ously in the county for forty-three years. David Cooper settled on the 
^'erdigris in 1856 and the same year John Coleman squatted upon a piece of 
land in Owl Creek town.ship. 

]\Iany notable propositions have come before the voters of the county 
for their decision. They approved the Banking Law in 1861 by a vote 
(yt' 62 to 7. and the same election gave Lawrence 71 votes for state capita! 
and Topeka 5. In 1867 the question of elective franchise was submitted 
-.striking the word "white" from the constitution— and of women suf- 
frage, striking the word "male" from the constitution, all of which propo- 
sitions were defeated in the county by heavy majoi-ities. February 27. 
1875 the question of voting .'ji5,000 in bonds in aid of the destitute of the 
state was voted on and lost by more than two to one. November 2, 1880, 
the Prohibitorv Amendment was voted upon and carried bv a vote of 
748 to 530. 



"WODDSD'N COfNTIliS. KA\'SAS. SS,'^ 

August 16, 1858, the Board of Supervisors met at Neosho Falls and 
proceetkd to lay off the county into townships. Neosho Falls, Liberty, 
lOwl Creek, Belmont and Verdisrris townships were the result of this meet- 
ing of the board. Jlay 22, 1858, the Board of Supervisors consisting of 
1. W. Dow, G. J. Cavan and William Phillips, with Charles Cameron, clerk 
''of the board, met at Neosho Palls and passed an order establishing the 
seat of county government at that place. The .same month N. G. Goss & 
Company donated to the county a building to be used as a county jail so 
long as the County Seat .should remain at Neosho Palls. Dow's hall was 
•eventually rented for court house purposes. In 1867 began an agitation 
"over the qitestion of County Seat location which continued nine years and 
v.-as not settled until a half dozen elections were held and mnch bitterness 
•of feeling engendered among the contesting sections of the county. The 
result of the election of No\-ember 5, 1867, gave Neosho Falls 129 votes. 
l"'enter 2, Colma 2. and the Southwest quarter of section 11, township 25, 
range 15, (the present site of the County Seat) 118. Elections followed 
vach other in rapid succession, the next one being held September 21, of 
Ihe ne.xt year resulting in a vote of 313 for Neosho Palls and 199 for 
Chellis. The third election ♦^onk place November 3, 1873. and gavd 
Defiance 506, Kalida 530 and Waldrip 1. Kalida, which thus became the 
I'onnty Seat, was three miles southeast of the center of the county, and 
Defiance was six miles east of the center. Both towns were at a later date 
ti-ansferred bodily to Yates Center. On February 23, 1874, the question 
came np for decision again and Defiance was chosen over Kalida by a 
vote of 643 to 491. A year later a neAv factor came i;p in the fight and 
jtnother. and the fifth, election was called to locate the County Seat. The 
contestants were Neosho Falls. Defiance and Yates and resulted in 
Neosho Falls i-eceived 301, Defiance 235 and Yates Center 335- On the 
12th of September, 1876. a second election was held to decide between 
l^eosho Falls and Yates Center as to which should be the seat of govern- 
ment. At this election Yates Center received 488 votes and Neosho Falls 
426, whieli was a final settlement of the vexed and \'exing question. 

Prom tlie first official act of the Board of Supervisors down to the 
■selection of Yates Center as the County Seat the county had nothing but 
v. temporary court house, or place for the transaction of its public busi- 
ness. Some hall or old store building was fitted up for the reception of 
the records, ^yherever the County Seat chanced to be and the nearest 
approach to a genuine court house, until its present structure was dedi- 
cated, was in the arrangement and preparation of the old wooden shack 
at the northeast corner of the sqiiare in Yates Center to become such 
building and to be used for public purposes. A number of elections were 
held to vote upon a proposition 1o bond the county for a court house but 
little enthusiasm was manifest for such a proposal outside of the County 
Seat and smaller towns. As time wore on it became more and more 
apparent that the old "Bee Hive" was fast becoming inadequate for the 



584 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

public needs. Its hj'gienic conditions were almost intolerable, and its 
run-down dilapidated a[)pearance all conspired to arouse the people to 
a true realization of their public needs. In 1899 a proposition to vote 
$30,000 in bonds for the erection of a new court house and jail met with 
a willing response, and on August 9, 1899, the corner stone of the new 
structure was laid with much ceremony, and an address by the District 
Judge, Hon. Leander Stillwell. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 585 



■MooDson County in Mar 

A company of soldiers for service in the Union Army was organized 
at Neosho Falls in November, 1861. B. F. Goss was chosen Captain and 
L W. Dow First Lieutenant. This company formed a part of the lola 
Fiattaliou of the 9th Kansas Cavahy They served along the border 
between Kansas and Missouri and in Arkansas and participated in many 
of the well kno\vn engagements and skirmishes fought in those Bush- 
whacking strongholds the first three years of the war. The state militia 
enrolled many other men of the county who were either indisposed to 
service in the volunteer army or were physically incapacitated for such 
service. These militiamen were subject to the call of the Governor or of 
the commander-in-chief of the state, in emergencies, chief of which were 
the raids of "Pap" Price. 

For service in the Spanish-American war the county furnished her 
quota of young men— sons of veterans and other sons— who enlisted in 
one of the companies of the famous 20th Kansas, Colonel Funston. The 
regiment rendezvoused at Topeka, was ordered to San Francisco and 
there equipped and inade ready for the field. It was one of the last com- 
mands to be ordered to the Philippines and took a conspicuous part in the 
first, and all other prominent engagements of the Philippine Insurrection. 
Upon its return home after an absence of a year and a half the regiment 
was tendered a public welcome and reception by the state in honor of 
its gallant, brave and patriotic achievements in Luzon. 



iS6 HtSTOKV OF AI.f.KN' AST/ 



1Kailroa&6, Cdwns; l£tc. 

As early as 1867 the question of a railroad for Woodson County began) 
f(i claim the attention of the people. Beginning then and continuing 
down to tlie summer of 1881 there were many bond propositions sub- 
mitted to a vote of the people in behalf of as many different companies for 
lines of railroad across the county from almost every cardinal and semi- 
cardinal point. All these propositions were voted down except the one to 
aid the St. Louis, Ft. Scott and Wichita Railway which asked of Center 
and Toronto townships an aggregate of !};50,000 in bonds. Tliere was little 
opposition to the proposition, and in the sunuuer of 1881 the first railroad 
for the county became a reality. This line became a part of the Missouri 
Pacific system a few yeni-s later, which eomi)any built a line from Leroy 
southwest through Yates Center where it formed a junction vnih the 
Wichita road for points west. 

In 1887 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway constructed a 
feeder from its line at Colony southwest through Neosho Falls to Yates 
Center, a distance of twenty-si.x miles, and there terminated the branch. 
The same system built a branch line from Madison, Kan., in 1884, doAvn 
the Verdigris River, crossing the southwest corner of Woodson County, 
and called the Chicago, Kansas and Western railroad. This, with the 
Aiissouri Pacific line, gave Toronto two raili'oads and aided much in the 
rievelopment of the west side of the county. 

The Missouri. Kansas and Texas railroad built a line from Junction 
City. Kan., in 1870 down the Keosho River, passing across the northeast 
corner of Woodson County to Parsons. For many years this was an im- 
|.ortant line of road and heavy trains of Texas cattle were shipped over 
the road to northern connecting points. With the construction of com- 
[leting lines, and directly to the markets of Chicago and St. Louis, through 
business sought other channels and the .Tunction City branch dropped into 
a line .solely for local tralTic. 

The towns of the county are Yates Center, Neosho Falls, Toronto 
Piqua, Vernon and Rose. The mere postoffices are Burt, Finney Griffin, 
Keck Coloma. Lomando, Cookville and Conger. The histories of Neosho 
Falls and Toronto appear under separate heads in this work while that 
of the other towns is recorded below. 

Yates Center, the County Seat of Woodson County, is located upon 
sections 10, 11. 14 and 15. township 25, range 15. and includes, with its 
additions, something over a section of land. The fact that this location 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 587 

is in the geographical center of the county, and that its original owner's 
name was Yates led to the christening of the town as "Yates Center." 
When tie election had decreed that this spot was to be the seat of govern- 
ment of the county Mr. Yates purchased a two stor.y building and moved it 
111 the townsite— the first building in Ihe town. This building war for a 
long time used not only for a county building but for holding religious 
services and for other public gatherings. G'eorge Wille was the first 
general merchant. T. AV. Wilson opened the second store and J. M, 
Wolfer came with the first .stock of drugs. E. V.Wharto'n was the first 
phy.sician and was followed by Dr. J. W. Turner. Jesse Pickett was the 
first lawyer in tie town, but Judge W. H. Thurber and Alexander Stewart 
were on the ground almost as early. The first hotel, moved from Kalida. 
was I'un by C W. Wilson, who was also the first liveryman. J. B. Fry was 
Ihe first blacksmith. In 1878 the court house was moved from Defiance to 
the new County S'eat and was located at the northea.st corner of the public 
square. In 1884 the town was incorporated and became a city of the 
third class. The town is supported almost entirely by an agricultiiral 
district and has maintained a steady and continuous growth. The popu- 
lation has increased from vear to year, the census showing a population, 
of 500 in 1880; of 1.370 "in 1890" and of 1,6.38 in 1900. 

Piqua is situated at the junction of the IMissouri. Kansas and Texas 
and the Missouri Pacific Railways, and is one mile from the east line of 
l!ie county. It griw up hurriedly to a town of a couple of hundred s-ouls 
and has remained at that stage— a good country trading point. The place 
h not incorpoi-ated and its chief educational and denominational institu- 
tions are conducted by the Roman Catholics. Other churches maintain 
organizations there and a public school is conducted in the district several 
Ufonths in the year. 

Vernon is a modei'n village situated on th.e Missouri Pacific Railway, 
nine miles northeast of Yates Center. A popula+ion of a hundred or more 
gathced together in a bunch near the head of Cherry Creek and in the 
midst of a fine rolling prairie country constitutes Vernon. J. N. Shannon 
is the leading general merchant, and all the enterprises usually found in 
the smaller towns are represented there. 

Rose consists of a store, blacksmith shop, a church and a large hay 
marke*". It is on the IMissouri Pacific Railway eight miles southeast of 
Ya*es Center and in the very heart of a fine asficultural and hay region, 
less than a hundred souls number its population but its importance as a 
trading and shipping point is second to none of its size in the state. Du- 
mo'nd Brothers and William M. Patterson ai'e the leading shippers of the 
place, and the postmaster and merchant is Tuttle. 

The Neosho Falls Post is the oldest paper in the county, and ha^s 
had many editors; W. W- Sain, if we mistake not, was its founder and 
fii'st editor, while IT. D. Dickson, now of Emporia, was the first typesetter 
<.r the -hcpt- .1. N. Stout, now postTuastei-, has for the past dozen years 



5S8 HISTORY OF AI.1.KN AND 

l.eeii publisher, Imt Ik- trausiVnetl the titk' the Hist of April last to II. C. 
Stici.er, who is now its editor and proprietor. 

The Ya.es Center News was tlie ne.\t paper established. It was 
lonnded at the eoiinty .seat by Ret Baker in ^lay, 1S77. It had several 
iiwiieis and publishers up to July. 188li when the business nianasi'mt'ut came 
into the hands ot U. H. Trutblood, wl.o has had charge of the pajier ever 
since. Tie owners of the News to-day are H. II Trueblood ami F. L. 
Stephenson. The former is editor and publisher, and the latter simply 
owns an interest, being engaged in the banking business which recpiires all 
i.f his attention. The News is the otfieial county paper. Republican in 
politics and for the Ixst interests of its town and county all the time. 

The Argus was established in the winter of ISS2 by "W. II. Jones who 
conducted it a short time and sold it to X. B. Buck, who a short time 
afierwards sold the paj)er to J. P. and J. II. Bell, who in a very few days 
.sold the plant to the Yat<s Center News. That ended the Argus. 

Next came the ^'un. at Yates Center, by J. A. Overby, that was after- 
\ard converted into the Indeiiendent-Sun. and a few months later was 
absorbed by the Yatis Center News. 

This was followed along about 1888 by the Tribune, at Yates Center, 
by tie irrepressible W. II. Jones, and later Jas. H. Hale was taken in as 
a partner. This paper lasted the usual length of time and was then 
gatl:ered in by the Yates Center News. 

The ^Voodson Deuu)erat should have been mentioned before the Tri- 
tMine. It was established in 1884 by Dr. E. V. \Vhartou, and through 
its colunuis he rode into the postoflfiee after (5 rover Cleveland was elected 
President. He then .sold the paper to R. R. Wells who conducted it until it 
burned up along with the block on the east side in 1893. It remained dead. 

\Yith the Alliance in 18110 came the Advocate at Yates Center, by A. E. 
ami N. S. Macoubrie. They stayed with the paper until 1890 then sold 
i- to Hudson & Faught. of Eureka. A little later Faught sold out to 
H. (!. Kinyou. who in turn sold to Fred AVilkinson. and the firm to-day is 
Hudson & \Yilkinson 

Along about 1894 the Woodson Republican was established by Ilarve 
Rristow. Tliat had a sluu-t life, and was in due time moved to Altauiont, 
Kan., and the subscription list turned over to the Yates Center News. 

A few months later this outfit was moved back to this place and 
.•'luilher weekly jiaiier, the Republican, was started and had a brief ex- 
perience, but it did not survive long and was gathered into the folds of the 
Yates Center News. 

Toronto has one imiH'r. the Republican, conducted by Mrs. M. M. 
Hiu'k. widow of the late N. B. Buck. Another paper was established 
there last year but was discontiuued in a few months, after demonstrating 
iu'JT that Toi'onto was not large enough to support two weekly newspapers 
(The editors are indebted to Mr. R. H. Trueblood, for many years editor 
I'l' the Yates Center News, for the foregoing sketch). 



WOOnSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. .5S9 



<Ibc 36cncl) an^ 18ai 

(BV SENATdR a. H. I.AMB.) 

The early history of the events of the Beiieli and Bur of Woodson 
Uounty are very difficult to obtain, and any attempt to write an exact 
jiccoimt of that period is out of the ((uestion. If the wi-i!er seeks the 
recoi'ds for information on this point, there are none. If he "applies to 
the old settlers, they do not remember things alike. So the writer of this 
article will have little to tell of the judicial pi'occedinus of Woodson County 
prior to 18(54. 

Chapter 78 of the .session laws of the territorial legislature of 18t:i(l 
divided the Territory of Kansas into three judicial districts, and placed 
Woodson County in the second district, and assigned Hon. Rush Elmore, 
one of the Associate Justices of the 'Cerritorial Supreme Court to the 
judgeship of that district. By this same act, Woodson County was attached 
to Coffey County for judicial purposes. The terms of court were held in 
Coffey County on the second Monday of March and September of each 
year. This arrangement con'^inued until Kansas became a state under the 
Wyandotte Constitution, and Woodson County became a part of the fifth 
judicial district. 

i\Iay 2'2nd. IStil. the stale legislatui'e iiassed an act detaching Woodson 
from Coffey County, and attaching Creenwood. Wilson and (Godfrey 
Counties to Woodson for judicial purposes. By this act W^oodson County 
was given one term of court commencing on the first Monday in September 
of each year. 

This law further provided that the clerk of the district court of Coffey 
County shall make out and deliver to the clerk of the district court of 
Woodson County, "a full "and complete tranrcrip* of all process and 
proceedings pending, and of eases tried and determined in the district court 
of said county between parties or again.st defendants resident in said 
conn+y of Woodson together with all papers on file in his office belongin<l 
to or pertaining to such cases." This order of the legislatui'e has never 
been complied with. 

On. February 2, 186.5 the legislature detached Oreeiiwood fi'om 
Woodson County and attached it to Lyon County for judicial purposes. 
There were no othei' changes until 1867, when the legislature created the 
seventh judicial district, and placed Woodson County in that. M'ith terms 
of court couujiencing on "the fifth Monday after the fmirth IMonday in 
March and September and on said days annually thereaftci'." In 1874 



590 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXn 

Woodson County was i^ivcii throe terms of court. coninn'iicinL' on the first 
Monday of Mai-eh. and the second Monday of June and October of each 
year. I'he next chanjre oeciirrid in 1877 when the time of holding th.3 
June terra of court was changed from the second to the first Monday iu 
the month. The Iegi?la'uie of 1901 fixed the terms of court to begin on. 
the third Tuesday in Mareli. the third Tuesday in Jniu- and tlie Tuesday 
.sueeteding the second Monday in November. 

The first judge of the fifth district of whicli Woodson County formed 
a part was Tlon. (>. E. I.earnard. of Burlington. Kan. lie was elected 
December 6, 1859, at the first election held under the Wyandotte Constitu- 
tion. He resigned before entering upon the duties of his office anil was 
appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the first regiment of Kansas volunteers 
and served as such during the civil war. Hon. H- JM. Ruggles. of Emporia 
was af)pointed to fill the vacancy, and on November 5. IHfil was elected 
for the unexpired term. lion. J. H. Watson was elected November 8 
1864, but before his term of office as judge had expired, the legislature hail 
taken AYoodson County fi'om the fifth district and placed it in the seventh 
since which time the history of the bench of this county is identical with 
that of Allen County, already recorded in this volume. 

The Bar of W^oodson County has undergone many changes since 1860. 
The pioneer lawyers are all goiie except A. Stewart who now resides at 
Yates Center, and W. B. Stine. who quit the practice of law in the latter 
60 's and has since engaged in farming. Sanniel E. Hoffman was the first 
lawyer in AYoodson County. He came from Pennsylvania to Kansas in 
1858, and was 24 years old when he reached Woodson County. 

He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1859 and helped 
frame the Wyandotte Constitution, and was the first State Senator from 
Woodson County- He is now a resident of St. Louis and is engaged in 
the banking business. 

In the early 60 's there was no resident lawyer in the eouiity. and N. 
H. Bent, of Burlington, was appointed county attorney. Prior to 1867. 
the principal law business of the county was transacted by Eli Gilbert and 
Alex Johnson, of Oarnett, N. H. Bent, Silas Pearl. Alex Stewart and A. 
Jones, of Coffey County, and Ruggles and Plumb, of Emporia. Soon after 
the formation of the seventh judicial district, William E. Grove located at 
Neosho Falls, then the county seat, and was appointed county attorney. 
He was then the only lawyer in Woodson County who devoted his entire 
time to the practice of law. He moved from Woodson County to Grand 
Rapids. ]\Iich.. and was there elected Circuit Judge, which position- he held 
for many years. 

During the year of 1870. W. H. Slavens. W A. Atchison. T. J. Petit, 
i'.nd C. B. Graves opened offices in Neosho Falls, and the following year 
Willard Davis, afterward attorney general of the state, and W. P. Talbott 
located there. About this time Peter Bell, who lived on a farm near 
Kalida commenced the practice of law. Then H. D. Dickson opened an 



■\VOODSO>; COrNTlKS, KANSAS. 5gl 

'.^rrVce ;tl N'eoslui F:il]v :nul fnllowirn- liivn lUinnu: the TO's caiiif J- R. 
-TPickett, W. H. Tlmrljer, J. P Shively, :M. V. Yodei-. G, R. Stephensou. W. 
E. Hogueland, J. H. Sticlwr and /. W. Dickson. ■ Of these attorneys, 
^Slavens. Atchison, Petit, Davis, Thurlser and Bell are dead. Talbott lives 
at Parsons. Kan Graves moved to Burlington. Kan., and was elected .jndge 
■Ot that district which position he held for twelve years. He now lives at 
Emporia and is aeti\"el.y engaged in the practice of law. II. D- Dieksoti 
served one term as Representative of Woodson County, one term as 
■county attorney and now li\'es at Emporia, Kan. Since moving to that 
place he has .served one term as coun+y attorney of Lyon County, and was 
for several years attorney for Tlie A. i. & S. P. Ry Co. J. E. Pickett 
served five years as county attorney, and in 1888 he abandoned the 
"practice of law to enter the ministry, and is now pastor of the Christian 
■ehurch at Boulder. Colo. J. P. Shively is farming near Paola. M. V. Yoder 
went to "Washington Territory (now state), and the last known of him 
here he was proljate judge of one of the counties in that territory. J. W. 
Dickson served as postmaster at Neosho Palls during the Harrison admin- 
istration and went from there to Danville. 111., where for several years he 
■served as bookkeeper for a coal company at that place. In Pebruary, 1901 
he returned to Woodson County and is now bookkeeper for the Yates Center 
"Bank- G. R. Steplienson and W. E. Hogueland and J. H. Stieher are 
the only attorneys of this period who still reside in Woodson County, and 
are engaged in the practice of law. 

During the 80 's D. C. Zimmerman. iNI. C. Smith. C. X. Warner. C. C. 
•Clevenger, W. P. Gregorv, G. M. Martin, E. H. White, W. A. Reid, P. S. 
Ray. G. H. Lamb and P. M. Sutton became members of the Woodson 
County Bar. Mr. Zimmerman now lives in Indiana and has recently been 
a prominent candidate for member of congress from his district in that 
state. M. C. Smith is now a leading lawyer of Springfield. Mo. C . N. 
Warner is practicing law at Seattle. Wash. W. P. Gregory served one 
li'rm as county attorney of Woodson County and is now located at Trenton, 
IVlo.. and is practicing law at that place. C. C- Clevenger served f(mr 
years as Probate Judge of Woodson County and then entered the news- 
l)aper business. He is now editor and proprietor of the Osawatomie 
Granhic of Osawatomie. Kan., and is postmaster at that place. E. H. 
White is engaged in the mercantile business at Yates Center. F. M. 
"Sutton lives on a farm near Toronto. W. A. Reid is in the railway ser^nce 
in Texas, and the other gentlemen named are still residing at Yates Center 
nnd engaged in the active practice of law. 

During the past ten vears S-C. Holeomb. A. J. Jones. S. C. Holmes. 
J. S. Gijson. R. Sample. Jr.. E. 0- Stillwell. E. E. Kelley. J. E. Wiriek and 
A. Howard were enrolled as members of the legal fraternity of the county, 
E. E. Kelley is county superintendent of piiblic instruction of this county, 
and i.s fast winning fame as an author. All of the rest of these last named 



51.^ HISTORY OF ALLEN AN'D 

iToiitleiiu'ii still ivsido in Woodson t'onnty and are engaged iu tlie practice 
of law except J 8. Uilson who is dead. 

Tlie tirst case tliat appears on the docket of the district court of 
Woodson Coimty, as shown by the records, was filed September 9, 18li4. 
Tiie title of the case is: The State of Kansas, against D. H. ^liller, charged 
with breaking ,iail. This note appejirs on the trial docket: "Case con- 
tinued on accoiuit of the absence of the defendant." The defendant is 
still absent. 

In these early days when the lawyers were young, inexperienced and 
without books, questions were raised and discussed that would surprise aud 
startle the lawyers of to-day. Among many instances of this kind is the 
f/illowing: A man was arrested in the city of Neosho Falls for selling in- 
toxicating liquoi-s without a license. The defendant before the Police Judge 
pleaded "not guilty," and demanded a .iury. No provisions could be found 
by court or coun.sel authorizing such a proceeding. The constitutional pro- 
vision giving to every man a trial by .jury was paraded by counsel for the 
defendant and thereupon the City Attorney confessed the right of trial by 
.iury. and proposed to the Police Judge to inipannel one. which he proceed- 
ed to do. To this the defendant ob.iected. but the trial went on and the 
defendant was convicted, whereupon he appealed to the district court. 
In the district court the defendant moved to di.-iniss on the ground 
that the defendant had been convicted in a manner not provided for by 
the statutes: but the Judge held the api^eal good, and stated that the 
defendant was now voluntarily in a court where he could have the benefit 
of a constitutional .iury, and thereupon the trial proceeded. There being 
no jury room, the jury was left in the court i-oom to consider their verdict, 
and remained there all night. The defendant at the time of the trial was 
running a saloon in a room adjoining the court room. During the night 
he slipped through the thin i>ai-tition to the jury bottles of beer and other 
liquoi-s 

In the morning the jury weie called into the box and delivered to the 
court a verdict of not guilty. The l^ity Attorney insisted upon having the 
jury polled. During this e'^amiimtion of the jiu-y one of them said that 
he bad not agreed to the verdict, but that he had been compelled by other 
iurors to assent thereto; that he had been knocked down and with an 
ujilifted chair and violent threats forced to consent to the verdict: but he 
now claims protection of the court in repudiating it : but the jury were 
discharged, the defendant was not to be found, and he is still at large. 

The warmest feelings of friendship have always existed between the 
menibers of the "Woodson County Rar. and the different pei-sons who have 
presided as judge of the district. They liave nnitually aided each other iu 
arriving at the correct solution of the various questions that have arisen. 

Woodson County is purely an agricultural and stock raising county, 
and is not a fruitf\il field for litigation, yet its bar ranks among the first 
in the state. Several of her lawyers having a larare practice in the adjoiuine 



WOOUSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 593 

C'oiiiilies. Tlicy luivc UiUeii an adive pari in all movements for the uplifting 
of the county, all of them who have families, with possibly one exception, 
own their own homes, and they may truly be said to be part and parcel of 
(he Vfirious: eonjmunities where thev I'eside. 



HfSiuK^ L'h ALLh-N AST? 



Cbc ipul?lic Scbools 

vBi" JiR. E. E. KELLET, SVPERIXTEXDENT OF PCBUC INSTRUCTION.) 

The early history of the schools of Wooclson Countj" is very similar 
A) that of scores of counties in the Kastern half of Kansas. The pioneers; 
ivere men ami women who came to make homes. The great majority were- 
men and women of gootl education and. next to the making of homes 
they were inti.'rest*'d in the education of their children. 

In 1857 the common school system was in the first stage of its evolution 
even in the states east of the Mississippi. The Kansas pioneer tried to- 
begin the education of his children at the point where it was broken off 
when he moved from the East. 

Under the Territorial law there was an attempt at the organization of 
« public sdiool system. The free state legislature of 1858 took some steps 
in this direction and created the office of Territorial Superintendent of 
Schools, though the first incumbent of that office. James X. Xoteware. has 
left on record no report of the condition of the schools during his adminis- 
tration. His successor. S. W. Oreer, did much towards organizing the 
schools into a system, as did his successor, J. C. Douglas, the last of the 
ti rritorial superintendents. 

W. R. OriflBth was the first state superintendent and died soon after 
his election. His suceesor. S. M. Thorp, was killed in the sacking of 
1 awrence. Tien came Isaac T. Hoodnow. a man of great force of character 
and fine executive ability. To his recommendation the passage of many 
«n?e school laws of the earlier days is due. He organized the state schixil 
sys*em as it stood until the year 187fi. The school laws were re\-ised in 
that year, and the Hon. D. W. Finney, of this county, then a state senator, 
was chairman of the committee on revision. 

The first school taught in the county was taught at Neosho Falls. 
It was taught in the summer of 1S5S by Miss Emma Coidter. Early settlers 
say she was a vei-y pretty, stylish young lady and was well liked. < A 
standard, by the way. that seems to have been maintained throuehout the 
district's historj".'* Following the close of this term. Ebenezer H. Curtis 
opened a private school in the building which now stands south of Mrs. 
Tydeman's and back from the street in Xeasho Falls. Mr. Curtis was a 
li^an of good education and was a popular teacher. When the war broke 
out he entered the Fnion army and subsequently became the colonel of a 
colored regiment. "When last heard from, some eight years ago, he was 
li^•ing near Baxter Springs, Kan. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 595 

In the winter of 1860-61 George Waite taught a private school in the 
Viteto building jnst east of Highbargin's hotel. During the next ^^anter 
Mrs. Brengle taught a school in her home, the house now known as the 
John Br.yant house, and liad an enrollment of twenty-five pupils. 

In January, 1863, the new County Superintendent, E. J. Brown began 
the organization of the county into school districts. They were numbered 
consecutively in each township. Number One, Owl Creek township, was 
organized January 17th of that year. Number One, Neosho Falls township, 
was organized January 15th, as was Number One, Belmont township. Num- 
ber One, Liberty township, was created January 24th, and Number One, 
Toronto township, was organized April 25th of the same year. 

Thomas Holland taught the first public school in Neosho Falls- About 
this time lumber was obtained for a new school house, but I am told the 
greater portion of it was "jayhawked" by a wagon maker who had a 
sliop ia;ir 'y. Tlie law of lecompense was vmdicateJ, however, in a peculiar 
r.ay. At tiiat time there was a small building two lots north of Dulinsky's 
store that was used as a cooper shop. Early in the war the proprietor stole 
away and later the news came back that he had joined the Eebel army and 
was killed in battle. No relatives appeared to claim his property, and 
the cooper shop was appropriated and made use of as a school house. 

The first ""new" behool house was built in Neoslio Falls in 1869- A 
second room was added in 1871, and in 1872 the district purchased the 
old land office building just south at a cost of $1,000. This served as the 
li'gh school building until January, 1900, when it was abandoned for 
school purposes, sold, and the new school building, just then completed 
was occupied. The new building has six rooms, is built of brick and is of 
modern architecture. Among those who once taught in the Neosho Falls 
schools I find the names of A. F. Palmer, later a county superintendent ; 
J N. Shannon, now a prosperous merchant of Vernon ; J. J. McBride, a 
brilliant scholarly man who came to his death in a tragic manner at Toronto 
in 1886; J- N. Stoiit, ex-editor of the Post; A. J. Jones, later probate judge 
and county attorney: A. H. Newton, of the Humboldt schools, and J. W. D. 
Anderson, a man of brilliant attainments and literary aspirations, who died 
at Omaha, Nebraska. 

Operating under a new law, in 1865, Mr. W. B. Stines, then county 
superintendent, proceeded to number the school districts of the county 
in consecutive order. There was a rivalry among the various districts 
in the position of "Number One." Neosho Falls especially pushed her 
claims for that place. The coveted number was conferred on a Liberty 
township district near Mr. Stines' home. Neosho Falls was Numbered 
Eight, which number she still bears, but the district squared matters with 
^Jr. Stines at the next election by casting a heavy vote against him and 
seeu>'ing his defeat. 

The official records show thai a scbo.il was taught in Toronto in the 
summer of 1864 by R. W. Richardson, that forty-nine pupils were enrolled, 



596 HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

(it wliit-li ()iil.\- tweiity-tliree were residents ol" the district. The school cost 
$90 for the term of tliree months. E. KeUogg was the district clerk. The 
next year Mr. Rieliardson airain taught the school, receiving $20 per mouth. 
The clerk reports that the school house was built with money raised by 
levying a district t.M.\. The ho^^e so buili served its purpose until 18S'J. 
when a house of four rooms was erected and A. J. Jones was the first 
priiici])al. In \SW it was found necessary to build two nioi'e rooms to 
meet the growing needs of the school, (i. II. Lamb was principal for 
a number of years, as was !•/ K. Kelley. Mrs. l^lla Crockett served twelve 
years in the primary room. 

The first school house was built in the Yates Center district in 1876. It 
was a one room stone building. Two rooms were subsequently added to it, 
and in 1882 bonds were issued to build the stone house on the hill in the 
north part of the city. It was known as the high school building, and its 
graduates number about lal). In April, 1001. the district voted bonds in 
the amount of $12,500 foi' a new, modern, t(Mi I'oom struetuiv on the site 
of the north building. 

The first building at Vernon was erected about 1873. In 189.5 it gave 
p'ace to a new school house, and in 1900 an additional room was built and 
u graded school established with Miss Flora Sherman and ]\riss Maude Lamb 
as teachers. 

Among the old time teachers I fintl the names of many now dead, 
and all survivors are in othei' vocations: Edwin B. Dennison, Mary Brengle 
Helen S. Miller, who later became Mrs. Fred Arnold, Sarah H. Hawkins, 
who became Mrs. Judge Craves. Cornelia A. Woodruff. "Wm. B- Stines. Julia 
15. Thaver, Laura A. Dumond. Phedora Jones. M. E .Patterson, David 
I'hillips. L. A. Wolfe. R. F. Fades. J. M. Jewett, Mollie Brady, A. J. Moody, 
K V. AVharton and IT. S. Johnson. 

In lSfi7 the school population of the county was 571 white children and 
one colored. The average daily attendance in the county was IBfi. and 
"IfC average length of the school term was three and one-fourth months. 
There were six male and nine female teachei's employed, and the average 
wages of the males was $31.14. and of the female teachers $19. Now 
the total number of school age in the county is 3.521. with an average daily 
attendance of 2,300. The average length of school term is seven and one- 
lialf months, and the average wages per month for male teachers is $37.50. 
and for females $31.50. 

It seems a little strange to hear of log school hou.ses in Kansas. Yet, 
in the report of the county superintendent for 1867, it appears that there 
were thirteen school houses in the county, and that ten of them were log 
houses and three were frame buildings. At that time the following text 
books were in use: McGuffey's reader and speller, Spencerian penman- 
ship. Tfay's ai-ithme*ics. Cornell's jreogi-aphies. the Goodrich history 
iind Pinneo's grammars: in many respects distinctly superior to the state 
lexis of the present day. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 597 

It might l)e well to speak here of at least two ventures toward estab- 
lishing |)rivate schools. Especially I wish to speak of the work of jNIiss 
Hattie Chirk, now Mrs. W. W. P. McConnell. Miss Clark came to Neosho 
Falls during the war period with the purpose in view of founding a semi- 
nary foi' young ladies. She came in Januar.y. 1864. The hall over the 
(lotel was fitted with blackboards and seats, and the use of Mrs. Crane's 
organ was obtained. Miss Clark taught four terms of three months each. 
The tuition was .$2.50 per term. The first term she had sixteen pupils. 
Then to make the school more lucrative she admitted younger children 
and also some male i)U])ils. During the hist term the enrollment reached 
forty. 

In Perry township, almost due west of Humboldt, and on a high, bleak 
limestone hill, stands an old unpainted house, gloomy in appearance and 
showing the ravages of time. Here, soon after the war a man named 
Ouackenbos. a brother of the old time text book author of that name, 
essayed to start a boarding school for boys. An old >ettler tells me that 
the plan was to take for students the sons of Eastern men who desired 
tleir sons to see a bit of Western life and at the same time be far removed 
from the contaminating iniluences too often found in the East. The project 
began bravely enough, but the students had a predilection for running 
away to Humboldt for a good time, and after a year's trial the school was 
abandoned. The old building is a landmark and can be seen for many miles. 

The following i.s a complete list of the county superintendents of the 
countv : Peter s'^'evens, 1859-61 : .J. B. Pickering. 1861-62 : E. J. Brown 
1863-64: Dr. McCartney, 1864: W. B. Stines, 1865-67: S. J. Williams, 1867- 
70; W M. Fiiendlv, 1870-71. J. L. Gilbert, 1871-75; A. F. Palmer, 1875-81; 
J W. Richardson, 1881; Lizzie J. Stephenson, 1882-87; Kate Rhea. 1887-89; 
J. C. Culver, 1889-91; Kate Rhea, 1891-93; A. M. Kannard, 1893-97; Lucy 
Ellis. 1897-99; E. E. Kelley, 1899. 

The twenty-fifth annual session of the normal institute was held in 
the month of July, 1901. It is, in Kansas, the educational Chautauqua of 
the school teacher, and there is scarcely a county in the state but where 
the attendance runs above the hundred mark. The early history of the 
normal institute is interesting. In the legislature of 1864 some humorously 
inclined i^olon introduced and secured the passage of a bill designed to 
encourage the normal institute. It provided for the holding of an insti- 
tute in each senatorial district, "Provided, board shall be furnished free of 
charge to all teachers and members of the institute during its session, 
hy the place where the institute is held." 

It woidd be rather a wonder if any town would want the in.stitute under 
those circumstances, but a search of the records shows that Neosho Falls 
opened her homes and spread her tables for the members of the institute 
on at least two occasions. One transcription is: "The institute held at 
Neosho Falls on September. 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd was a decided 
'uccess. " Another entrv. a little later savs: "The institute at Neosho Falls 



598 HISTORY OF ALI.EN AND 

was a decided success. Teachers are becoming; iiioie ( tVicieiit in the school 
room and more active out of it. Forty-six new school houses have been 
built during; tl;e year. But one in.stance lias oecnrred in whicli a patri);i 
has attempted to interfere with the lawful authority of the teacher. That 
patron sulfered the e.\pense of a lawsuit, a fine of ei^rhty dollars and the 
righteous indignation of an outraged community." 

In 1867 the county received $8o7.o7 from the st.ate school fund. Last 
year it received the sum of .$8,040. In 18(57 the total amount paid for 
teachers' wages was .$1.31").. 50. and last year $21,080 was so paid. There are 
now eighty-eight teachers employed and si.xty-nine organized districts in 
the county. The alumni of the various high schools number 220. and 
there have been 288 graduates from the district schools. 



WOODSON COLTOTIES. KANSAS. 590 



IPoUtics an^ :£lection IRcturns 

(UY FRED L. STEPHENSON) 

At the time Wooa. 'U Couuty was organized and for a uuuiber of years 
afterward, locality and personal popularity seemed to have more to do 
with the selection of the county officials than party polities. The Repub- 
licans were so large!} 'n the majority that not until about 1880 or 1881 
did the Demo rats pla e a county ticket in the field. However the regular 
nominee on the Kepubl can ticket was hot always successful as almost every 
year there were some independent candidates, and occasionally a Democrat 
\.'0uld be elected by reason of his pei-sonal popularity or some local strife. 
From the beginning the Republicans have maintained their orgauizatiou 
and have been the dominant party in the county. 

Some of the active workers among the Republicans in the 60 's and 
70 's were: I. W. Dow, W. B. Hogueland, W. W. Sain, W. H. Jones, W. 
B. Stines, W. A. Atchison, D. W. Finney. T W. Wilson. W. H. Slavens, 
David Phillips, A. B. Mann, Joseph Bishop, W. S. Lockard, 0. S. Woodard, 
J. H. Bayer, William Stockebrand. J. W. Turner, Fred L- Arnold. Henry 
Gregory, J. W. Jewett, J. A. Freer, G. C. Snow. In the 70 's and 80 's the 
following came into honorable jtroniintnee : Seth Kellogg. J. B. Prut7man 
J. A. Gregory, F- M. Henlv, Geo. D. Carpenter, I. N. Holloway. I. S. Jones. 
Geo. E. Faler, J. B. Frv, H. S. Trueblood. R. A. Hurt. J. W.'Depew. J. E. 
Pickett. J. A- Hale, T. J. Eagle, W. P. Stephenson. S. E. Portei-. G. W. 
Davis, B. P. Baker, G. W. Rogers, W. E. Hogueland, G. R. Stephenson. J. 
B. Stockton, De.xter E. Clapp, A. C. Gordy, L. L- Bvington, W. C. Willie, 
B. F. Everett, T. L. Reid, Eli Jackson. Jno. 0. Dow, N. B. Buck, J. N. Stout. 
W- L. Parsons. Jas. Dutro. I. M. Jewett. R. M. Phillips. W. P. Diekerson. 
Chas. Starrett, A. Singleton, S. C. Guston, A. A. Keek, E. W. Naylor, Geo. 
W. Shepard, James Davidson, J. J. Layton, H. H. McCormick, R. P. Hamm, 
J. F. Bayless. J- J. Puckett, A. H. Schnell, D. T. Shotts, A. T. Woodruff. 
G. H. Lamb, J. L. Martin, J. W. Quick, Thad Parsons. S. G. Paris, 
D. M Ray. 

In 187.3 what was known as the Reform party was organized by 
Democrats and former Repviblicans. Among those prominent in the 
movement were G. W. Hutchinson. W. J. Houghawout, Hud Houghawout. 
Mike Reedy, Dan Fullmer and Frank Butler. This party nominated a 
ticket in 187-3 and succeeded in electing Frank Butler Representative. 

The Democratic party was the next to form a county organization and 
placed a ticket in the field, selecting their candidates in mass convention. 
In 1882, E. v. Wharton, their nominee for Representative was elected, he 



600 HISTORY OK Al.LKN A.S'IJ 

lioiug tlie only .successful eanilidate on their tic'k<?t that year. Among the 
U.adinj: Dcuioorats of the county were: Frank Butler, \V. J. Houghawout, 
A Hamilton. O. V. Houghawout. ]Mike Reedy, Mike Ileffren, Hud Hough- 
awout. (ieo. Yohon. Owen Di\inev. H. D. Dickson. Phillip Hefflenger. C. H. 
Coodrich. K. V. Wharton. A. F.' Palmer. Henry Ashley, C. C. Mills, R. R. 
Wells. M. ('. Smith, K- K. Kellenherger. T. \V. Phnnmer, H. H. Winter. C. 
\V. Highhargin, A. A. Xewnian, William Cooper, John Cannon. Ceo. Mc- 
CJill. Wni. Peedv, M. M Hunt. Wni. Wyse, James Drain, AY. D. Wingrave. 
M. L. Lynch, Fred Stewart, W. B- Woodside, H. C. Rollins. 

In 188(j the Pi-ohibition party l.eld their first county convention that 
nominated a full ticket. J. X. Shannon was the nominee for Representative, 
leceiving 288 vot(S. In 18S8 Pusey Craves was the Prohibition candidate 
foi- Representative and I'cceived 'M'-H votes, the largest vote ever east in the 
county for that ticket, and their last complete county ticket. Some if the 
prominent workers in this party were: J. N. Shannon, A. VanSlyke, W. 
S. Shippev. Pusev (Jraves. O. P. Houghawout. M V. B. Peansall. H. H. 
Petty, T. B. Nolaiid, J. W. Crimes. E. J. Troyer, John Taylor. John Young, 
At this time all of tl'e minority parties were more or less interested in the 
so-called Reform movement. 

In 1888 the Union Labor party, which had already been organized in 
I he county, nominated a complete couiity ticket wnth H- H. Petty for repre- 
.•sentative. Tie Knights of Labor were well organized at that time giving all 
the assistance they could to the Union Tjabor party. Some of the leaders 
in this new reform partv were. E. V. Wharton. H. H. Petty. J. G. Kellen 
i)erger. Frank Hall. AYni. Walker. J. Z. Dvsert. E. B. Moore. W. A. Bailev, 
J. H- Sturdivan. H. T. Chellis. S. C. (ieary. W. H. Talbot and Chas. Pol- 
lard. This i^arty oidy eontinuel their county organization for a year or 
two. when nearly all of them with some dissatisfied Democrats and Repub- 
licans formed the Alliance party, and in 1889 and '90 they effected their 
county organization. 

.Vlthou^li the- DernoeiMtic i)arty lost njany of its members they kept up 
their county organization. The organization of the Alliance was soon fol- 
lowed by fusion which was successfully eft'ected with the combined opposi- 
iion lo the Republicans in this county. 

In 1802 the Peoples' oi- Populist party as the result of fusion reached 
its zenith in this county and for several years succeeded in electing one or 
TV,-o county officers, by the assistance of some free silver and dissatisfied Re- 
publicans, but the Republicans have always been considered the strongest 
political orgiinization in the county. 

A few of the organizers and leaders of the Populist party in this 
county were. E. V. Wharton. IT. IT. Petty. J. C. Kellenherger. E. A. 
Macoubrie. Frank ]\IcCill. J. Z- Dysert. Sam Jones, J. H. Sturdivan. A. 
Hamelton. C. B. Coodale. H. T. Chellis. D. S. Park. Ceo. Mentzer. Fred Wil- 
iinson. .\lex. Bn.>;lev. Alec Liinler. S. C. (Jeary. Thomas Watson, Chas. 
Bauersfeld and C C. :\Iills. 



"Woodson counties, kansas. 

At a meeting of the supervisors of "Woodson comity, Jvaiisas territory, 
'held at 5seosho Falls. May 22, 1858. I. W. Dow was chairman and W. 
Phillips and G. J. Gavin constituted the boai-d with Chas, Camron their 
•clerk. Aiiionjr other business they made a call for an election of county of- 
ficers the first held in the county, at which time there were less than one 
luindred votes cast. At the g'eneral Xovember election in 1859, Marciis 
■ J. Parrott received a nra.jority of the votes cast for delegate to congress and 
X. S. Goss for member of the council of the 12th. Council district. P. G. D 
]\lorton was elected a Representative of the 24lh district, ovei' E. J 
Brown. The county officers elected were: Peter Stevens. Supt. Common 
Schools : Jonathan Keys. Probate Judge ; Hiram McConnell, Sheriff. Por 
Register of Deeds. Emerie Chase and H. Groesbeck each received 84: for 
County Clerk. J. M. Leech and M- Smith Austin received 81 votes each: A. 
^'ernani elected county attorney: G. J: Gavin, ti'casurer: David Reynolds 
i 'oronei' : John Woolman. Surveyor. 

At an election held under the Wyandotte constitution. December 6. 
1859. Charles Robinson received 60 vo*^es and Samuel Medary 37 votes in the 
'County for Governor. 97 being the total number of votes east in the county, 
that year. 

At a spt?cial election in March. 1860. T. D. Bodman was elected county 
rierk and H. Groesbeck register of deeds to fill vacancies, th'ere being no 
■choice for those offices at the pi'evious election. 

In November, 1860. the county officers elected were : James Crane, pro- 
bit te judge: A. W. Pickering, county clerk: Joel Moody, county attorney: 
(tsbone Ewing. county assessor, and AYilliam Phillips. E. Chase and Ijewis 
Thompson, counni.ssioners. 

At a special election in ]\Iarch. 1861, E. J. Brown was elected repre- 
>ientative. and John Staiisbury probate .judge to fill vacancies. 

At the general election in Xovember. 1861. George A. Crawford received 
ti majority of the votes in the county for governor. E. J. Brown was elected 
I'epresentative. David Reynolds, sheriff: Peter Yohon, county clerk; M. W. 
Alexander, treasurer: J. D. Coulter, register of deeds: J. S, Askren, county 
assessor: James Crane, probate judge: J. B. Pickering, superintendent 
public instruction : W. B. Stines. surveyor: Allen McCartney, district clerk- 
■Jackson Lewis. Owen Diviney and H. J. Gregory, county commissioners 

For static capital tire vote stood : Lawrence, 71 : Topeka, 5, and Em- 
poria. 1. 

NOVEMBER. 1862. 

Tliere were 101 votes east for governor of which Thos. Carne}"^ received 
fil and AY .R. Wagstaff received 50. 

A. McCartney was elected representative : J. B. Pickering, probate 
judge: A. L. Hathaway, clerk of district court ; Geo. L. Wait, county clerk ; 
A. Johnson, shei'iff: Michael Collins, coroner; J. M. Baldwin, treasurer; 
John Woolman. surveyor: Peter Yohn. register of deeds; Isaac McCon- 
nell, countj^ assessor, and E. J. Brown, superintendent public instruction 



^OI HIsrORY OF ALLKX ASm 

X(iVEMBER. 1S()3. 

A. \V. Piekeiiti<r was elected representative: J. P. Tucker, clerk distriel' 
cniirt : (J. L. \V;iit. connty clerk: D. TT. Miller, sheriff: TI. J. Gregory 
coroner: AVni. I'liilliiis. Thos Sirid and J. Foster, eonnnissioners: J. Baetie 
ireasurer; John AVooliiian, surveyor: J. D. Coulter, recrister of deeds and D 
Askien, cininty as.se.ssor. 

NOVEMBER, 1864. 

The tola! number of votes east for president was 102. Lincoln and 
.fv.lmsoM seciuinjj; 67 and McClelland and Pendleton 35 votes. Saml. J, 
Crawford carried tl e county for governor and John Nathan Foster elected 
repre eiita1ive:Thos. Arnold, county attorney; Pusey (iraves prol)a*e judge 
.\'. Keller, clerk district court: J. D. Coulter, treasurer; Enoch Fender, 
county assessor: W. B. Stines, superintendent public instruction and J. S. 
Fjf.boutrh. conuuissionei-- 

NOVEMBER, 1865. 

T. \V. Dnw was elected representative: Pusey Graves, clerk district 
court : (tco. L. Wait, county clerk : David TI. Faler, sheriff : Da\ad Reynolds, 
treasurer: W. B. Stines. county surveyor : Geo. L. Wait, register of deeds: O. 
P. TIauehowont, county assessor: J. D. Coutler. county attorney: Chas. 
Osternieier. coroner and Jno. S. Lobough, Michael Reedy and TI. J. Gi'egory, 
eonnnissioners. 

NOVEMBER. 1866. 

Again d'ov. Crawford carried the county foi- governor. M. J. Gregory. 
Republican, was elected representative: Jas. Crane, probate .iudge: Pusey 
Graves, clerk di.stiict ourt: S. J. Williams, superintendent public instruc- 
tion: A. K. Philon. triasurer: D. Reynolds, commissioner; O. P. Hougha- 
v.'out. democrat, county assessor and M. V. B. Pearsall for coroner. 

NOVEMBER, 1867. 

The Republicans wei'e successful and elected D. \V. Finni'V r<'(iresenta- 
tive. Thos. A. Blanehard, sheriff and treasurer: W. B. Stines. county at- 
torney and surveyoi': \V. W. Sain county clerk and n'gister of deeds: C. B 
("rave?, county assessor: A. Brush, coroner and J. Tj. Lobough. D. Reynolds 
•ind II. J. Grcirory, eonnnissioners. D. W. Finney. W. W. Sain and W. B. 
.Sliiies are still citizens of the county and have from that time been active 
i the political field. The vote on the constituti<nial amendment fo strike 
out the word white stood 149 against, and 88 for. 

NOVEMBER. 1868. 

Jas. M. Harvey carried the county for governor by 183 nia.iority over G. 
\V. Click: B. F. Johnson was elected representative; Pusey Graves, probale 
.indge: S. J. Williams. sui)erintendent pidilic instruction: W. F. Graves. 
I'ounty attorney and E. Fender, coroner. 

NOVEMBER. 1869. 

II. J. (Gregory was elected representative over C. B. Graves: I. W. Dow. 
treasurer: AV. W. Sain, count v clerk and register of deeds: D. Reynolds, 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 603 

sheriff; J. ^I. Leaeli, coroner; D. V. Dow, sm-veyor and J. W. Jmvitt. I'. W. 
Yohon and H. C. Leonard, commissioners. 

NOVEMBER, 1870. 

Again Gov. Harvey carried the county for governor. G. A. Bogart 
vas elected representative; W. E. Graves, county attorney; Pnsey Grave:-, 
])robate .jndge. and J. S. (Gilbert .superintendent public instruction. 

NOVEMBER, 1871. 

B. F. Everett, republican, was elected representative; J. A. Bur- 
dett. county clerk; W. J. Houghav.'out, democrat, county treasurer; Sanuiel 
Cook, register of deeds; D. V. Dow, surveyor; E. Fender, coroner and A. 
Hamilton, democrat, sheriff. 

NOVEMBER, 1872' 

Gen. U. S. (frant leceived 782 vo'es for president and Horace Greeley 
received 247 ; Wni. Peck republican, was elected representative ; I. !S. Jones 
pi-obate judge ; T. J. Petit, county attorney ; Dan Tollner, clerk district 
court and J. h. Gilbert, county superintendent. Although the Republicans 
seemed at this time to have a large majority, in November, 1873, so the story 
goes, an independent ticket was selected the night before election known 
as "the Midnight ticket" and was in a measure successful. Those elected 
were: Frank Butlei', democrat, representative; Wm. Cozine. sheriff; W. J. 
Honghawout, democrat, treasurer; I. N. Holloway, republican, county 
clerk; I. S. Jones, republican, register of deeds; J. W. Driscoll, coroner and 
K. Michner. W. P. Stephenson and L. G. Porter, connnissionei-s. 

NOVEMBER, 1874' 

J. C. Cusey, demoei-at, carried the county for governor; A. B. Mann, 
iR) was elected representative; I. S. Jones (R) probate jiidge ; G. I. Car- 
penter (R) clerk district court; W. H. Stares (R) county attorney ; A. F. 
Palmer (D) superintendent public instruction and U- M. Ray, county 
Kui'veyoi'. 

SEPTEMBER 12, 1875. 

Yates Center was selected as the county seat and for a number of 
yi'ars afterward the prejudice aroused during the county .seat contest was a 
factor in f\w county polities. 

NOVEMBER, 1875. 

H. D. Dickson, democrat, was elected representative ; I. N. Holloway. 
(R) county clerk; R. A. Hurt, (R) treasurer; I. S Jones, register of deeds 
and A. Smith, coroner. 

NOVEMBER, 1876. 

For president. R. H. Hays received 673 votes in the count}' and Saml 
J. Tilden 306; (ieo. T. .Anthony carried the county for governor; S. R. Kel- 
logg (R) was elected representative; J. E. Pickett, (R) county attorney; 
(Ieo D. Carpenter, cleik district court; I. S. Jones, (R) probate judge and 
A. F. Palmer, (D) snpei'intendent of instruction. 

NOVEMBER, 1877. 

Complete l.'eiiublieaii ticket elected. R. A. Hurt, treasurer: T. \. Hollo- 



6^4 HISTORV OF ALLEN' AND 

way. cdunty ck-rk ; I. S. Joiu's. le^iistir of deeds: A. Smith, shriff; Jos. 
Webb, surveyor: E. Fender, coiouer and S. Miclnier. T. J. Eagle and J. U. 
Bayer, eonnnissioners. 

.NOVEMBER, 1878. 

Jno. V. St. Jolin earriid the county for governor: Gen. D. E. Clapp. 
(R) elected representative: d'eo. D. Carpenter. (R) clerk district court; I. 
S. Jones. (R) i)iobate .I'udge: II D. Dickson, ( D) county attorney: A. F. 
Palmer, (D) superintendent public instruction and G. C. Snow, (R) com- 
missioner. 

NUVESIBEK. 1879. 

Full Republican ticket elected. J. AV. Depew, county treasurer; H. S. 
'ivutblood. county clerk: I. S. Jones, register of deeds: Geo. AV. Davis, 
sheriff: Jos Webb, surveyor: J. L. Jones, coroner and J. TT. Bayer, com- 
missioner. 

NOVEMBER. 1880. 

County gave a ma.iority for Jas. A. Garfield for president. John P. St. 
John for governor and D. W. Finney for lieutenant-governor. D. E. Clapp 
was elected representative : I. S. Jones, probate .iudge : W. E. Hogueland 
(R) clerk district court: J. W. Richardson, superintendent public instruc- 
tion and Levi Kobbins. conunissiouer. 

NOVEMBER, 1881. 

H. S. Trueblood (R) elected comity clerk and J. W. Depew (R) 
treasurer, with no oppositon : (i. W. Davis, sheriff: W. A. Bailey. Inde- 
pendent candidate elected register of deeds; Jos. Webb, surveyor an<l O. C. 
Snow, commi.ssioner. 

NOVEMBER, 1882 

Gov. St. John again carried the county for governor: E. V. Wharton 
(D) was elected representative: I. S. Jones. (R) probate judge: W. E. 
Hogueland. (R) clerk district court: J. E. Pickett. (R'l county attorney; 
Miss L. J. Stephenson. (R) superintendent public instruction and R. D. 
Webster. (R) commissioner 

NOVEMBER. 1883. 

Those elected were J. W. Turner. (Ind.) county treasurer: I. M 
Jewett, (R) county clerk; W. A. Bailey, register of deeds: D. M. Ray. (R) 
surveyor; G. H. Phillips. (R) coroner; Jas Cannady, (Ind.) sheriff and J. 
'". Puekett. commissioner. 

NOVEMBER, 1884, 

For president, Jas. G. Blaine, received 1.143 votes. Grover Cleveland, 
635 votes. Benj. F. Butler. 135 votes and Jno. P. St. John. 51 votes. For 
governor Jno. A. Martin carried the county by a large niajoritj'. W. H 
Slavens (R) was elected representative; I. S. Jones, (R) probate judge; 
W. E. Hogueland .(R"* clerk district court: G. R. Stephenson, (R) county 
attorney: Lizzie Stephenson, (R) superintendent public instruction and C. 
C. Mills and W. D. Windgrave. couuuissioners. making the board Demo- 
cratic. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 605 

NOVEMBER, 1885. 

I. i\I. Jewett (R) elected couDty clerk; Fi'ed Stewai't, (D) trciisurei- ; 
Jos. Cannady, (R) sheriff; P. H. How, (R) register of deeds; D M. Ray, 
(R) surveyor: C. R. Jones, (R) coroner and C. C. Mills, (D) county coni- 
iiiissionei'. 

NOVEMBER, 1886. 

(jov. John A. Martin again carried the county for governor; W. H. 
Slavens, (R) elected representative; C. C- Clevenger, (R) probate judge; 
W. E. Hogueland, (R) clerk of district court: O. R. Stephenson, (R) 
county attorney; Kate Rhea, (D) superintendent pul)lic instruction and 
A C. Gord.y, (R) commissioner. 

NOVEMBER, 1887. 

M. F. Stewart, (D) elected county treasure)'; R. M. Phillins, (R) 
county clerk; A. A- Keck, (R) sheriff; H. B. McHugh, (R) register of 
deeds; G. E. Carpenter, (R) surveyor; A. H. Mann, (R) coroner and J. W. 
Quick, eoniniifsioner. 

NOVEMBER, 1888. 

For piesident. Benj. Harrison received l.liS votes; firover Cleveland, 
.'.95 vo'es; A: J. Streetor, 363 votes and C. B. Fish, 1(14 .votes. L. TT. 
Humphrey carried the county for governor and J. H. Hale (R) was 
elected representative; C. C. Clevenger, (R) probate judge; J. H. Sticher, 
(R) county attorney; W. P. Dickerson, (R) clerk district court; J. C. Cul- 
ver, (R) superintendent public instruction and AVm. K. Rogers, fR) commis- 
sioner. 

NOVEMBER, 1889. 

W. C. Wille, (R) elected county treasurer; R. M. Phillips, (R) county 
ctcik; A. .\. Keck, (R) slieriff; Geo. E. Carpenter, (R) surveyor; A. H. 
]\lann, (R) coroner; H, A. Nichols, (R) commissioner and H B. Me- 
Hngh. (R) register of deeds. 

NOVEMBER, 1890. 

L. U. Humphrey again carried the county for governor ; J. H. Bayer, 
( R) elected representative; A. J. Jones, (R) probate judge; W. P. Gregory, 
(Peoples' party) county attorney: W. P. Dickerson, (R) clerk district 
court: Kate Rhea, (D) superintendent public instruction and Wm. ]\Ioore- 
head, (Peoples' party) commissioner. 

NOVEMBER, 1891. 

Officer elected were: H. H. McCormick, county clerk; W. C. Wille, 
treasurer; F. L. Stephenson, register of deeds: T. L. Reid, sheriff; 0. P. 
.'uigustine, coroner; Ai-thur Moffat, surveyor and Henry A.shley, commis- 
sioner' of 2d district, all Republicans but Henry Ashley. 

NOVEMBER. 1892. 

Tliis county gave Benj. Harrison a majority of 40 votes over Weaver 
for jiresident and A. W. Smith a majority of 49 over Lewelling for governor, 
('has. F. Scott leeeived a majority of 42 for state senator. J. H. Bayer 
was clecli'd repri'sentalive ; A. J. Jones, proliate jndtre and AVm. Reedy, 



6o6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

clerk (listiicl court; A. M. Kaimai'il. (R) superintendeut public iustrue- 
tion: <'. II. l>;iMil). (■(iiiiity aitoi'iiey: II. A. Nichols, coniniissioner of third 
district. All i!c])uiilican:, cxcci)t Win. Reeciy. 

NOVKMBKR. 1893. 

'I'liiisc elected wei'e K. L). Wchsler. treasurer; H. H. McCorraick, county 
cleik; T. \j. Heid. sheriff': F. L. Stephenson, register of deeds; O. P. 
Aiiuustine. coiouer: Arthur IMotl'at, surveyor, and Wm. Moorehead, com- 
missioner (il Isi district: all re])ublicaus except Wui. Moorehead. 
NOVKMBER. 1894. 

K(ir uovernor. E. N. Morrill reoeived a majority of 55 votes in the 
county. The suffrage amendment was defeated by 175 votes. Wm. 
Stockebrand was elected representative: James Dutro, probate judge; G. H. 
liMrnb. eo\nity attorney: A- M. Kannard. superintendent public instruction 
;nid AVui. K'cedy. clerk district court; all Republicans except Wm. Reedy 
and \V I'. Lytic who was elected commissioner of second district. 

NOVEMBER, 1895. 

There was only one vote against Judge Stillwell in the county for 

di.strict judge. R. D. Webster, elected treasiirer; J. L. Martin, register of 

deeds ; W. O. Eades. county clerk : M. E- Hunt, sheriff ; D. M. Ray, surveyor ; 

0. P. Augustine, coroner and Henry Peter, commissioner of 3d district; all 

• liepublicans except M. E. Hunt . 

NOVEMBER, 1896. 

For president. Wm. McKinley received 1,288 votes and W. J. Bryan, 
1,189 voles. E. N. Morrill carried the county by 13S majority. W. W. 
Finney was elected representative; James Dutro, probate judge; A. J. Huff, 
clerk district court : Lucy Ellis, superintendent public instruction. G. W. 
("ox. connuissioner 3d district and J. R. Vice, commissioner 1st district; all 
Republicans except Lucy Ellis and J. R. Vice. A. J. Jones elected county 
attorney. 

NOVEMBER, 1897- 

J. C. Culver, elected treasurer; W. 0. Eades, county clerk; M. E. Hunt, 
sheriff; J. L. Martin, register of deeds; L. N. Tallman, surveyor; Otis 
Orendorff, coroner^ and S. C. Gustin. commissioner 3d district. 

NOVEMBER, 1898- 

W. E. Stanley carried the county for governor by 123 votes. H. A. 
Nichols was elected representative; S. C. Holcomb, county attorney; W. L. 
Parsons, probate judge; E. E. Kelley, superintendent public instruction; 
A. J. Huff, clerk district court, and G. W. Cox, commissioner of 3d district; 
all Republicans except S. C. Holcomb. 

NOVEMBER, 1899. 

J. P. Kelley, elected county clerk ; J. C. Culver, treasurer ; Silas Nay- 
lor, register of .lei>ds; S. L| Patterson, sheriff; L. N. Tallman, surveyor; 
Otis Orendorff, coroner and J. W. Quick, commissioner of 1st district ; all 
Republicans except L. N. Tallman. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 607 

NOVEMBER, 1900. 

Poi- pivsideiit. Will. AIcKinley received 300 majority in the county. W. 
1v Stanley received a majority of 290 for governor and Chas. F. Scott's 
Uiajority in the county was 295 for congressman-at-large- H. A. Nichols 
was elected repi'esentative ; W. L. Pai'sons. probate judge: A. C. Woodrutif, 
vlerk district court ; S. C. Holcomli. county attorne.v : E. E. Kelley, superin- 
'(■ndent public instruction and S. (J. Paris, connnissioner 2d district; all 
Ki'IMibliciius except S. C Holcomb. 



!i 



6oS HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 



C^oronto 

BY MKS. Jl. M. Bl CK. 

Toronto is a thriving; and projrressive town of nearly 800 population, 
situated in the southwest eorner of Woodson county, on the Verdigris river. 
It was laid out in 18fi9 by the Toronto Town company. The town did not 
t^row much until the Missouri Pacific railroad entered its domain in 1882 
and a few years later the Santa Fe. 

Toronto's leadiuir enterprise is the roller mills which was erected in 
1894: t)y its present owner. "\Y. P. Diekerson, and is the best equipped flour 
mill in this section, havins: a cajiacity of 50 barrels per day and a grinding 
capacity of 400 sacks daily. The brands of flour turned out are the Gem 
Patent, Pride of Toronto and Wild Rose, aud all give general satisfaction. 
Mr. Diekerson is also an extensive stock feeder, and uses the surplus mill 
stuff to good advantage as some of the finest cattle ever shipped from 
this section were fed on the output of this mill. 

Another industry is the Broom factoi'y which has been in operation 
since 1880 and is owned and op(>rated by a practical broom maker, C. B. 
Stuart, and places a broom on the market which for neatness and durability 
cannot be improved on by any of the larger factories. 

The various business and professional lines are represented as follows- 
Two dry goods stores, four general merchandise stores, three hardware 
stores, one meat market, two furniture stoies. two grocery stores, two har- 
ness shops, three millinery stores. si.\ restaurants, two druggists, one .jew- 
eler; two hotels, four blacksmith shops, three painters and paper hangers, 
several carpenters, one undertaking establishment, four doctors, one news- 
paper, two lawyers, one dentist, two real estate agents, one bank, two bai-- 
bers, three livery barns and one lumber yard. A public school building was 
erected in the 80's, two stories high and containing four rooms. In 1899 
two additional rooms were built but only one of them was finished- It is 
expected the upper room will be finished this year. 1901. in time for 
the fall term, which will necessitate the hii-ing of another teacher making 
six in all. 

Toronto jjeople are alive to their sjiiritual needs aud requirements and 
have three church buildings. Methodist. Presbyterian and United Brethren. 
The ]\Iethodist made Toronto a station at the last annual conference held 
in Eureka. March. 1901. which gives them a pastor who preaches every 
Sunday, morning and night. Kev. W. Kmerson is the present pa.stor. They 
also have a siood parsonage of six rooms. 

The Pr.sbytcrians have not had a pa.stor for two year.s, but expect one 
this vear. 



•wooT)SO^' corxTiES. Kansas. ©oc; 

The Vnited Brethren is the newest of the thiee ehut'clies having been 
liiiilt in 189(1. Thtre is preacliint;' every Sunday night and alternate Sun- 
days in the morning. Also a good Sunday school is held every Sunday 
■morning. A parsonagv was bought in 1898 about two blocks from the 
fhurch. The present pastor. Rev. T A. Darling, is young, and active in 
the Waster's caiise. 

Toronto has ele%T.Mi secet societies, fraternal and henef.ciary, each hav- 
ing claims to the individual seeking protection for the home, or for social 
and plea; an* in'^ercours-ie with each other, and by that means, help relieve the 
'dreary vicissitudes of life in which so many of us come in contact. 

.Another great factor in Toronto's business circles is its bank, with a 
vapital of .$.5,000, organi:ed in 1892. The arrangement of the counting room 
is in accordance with *he ideas of metropolitan banks having fire and burglar 
proo<^ steel vault and safe with time jo'k. The funds and valuable docu- 
ments are further protected against loss by a polic.v in the Bankers' Mutual 
Insurance company. 

The I'rogressive business men and citizens formed a company in 1899 
for the pu!'pos-e of drilling for gas. Three wells have been simk at an ex- 
pense of about $1,000 for each well and the results are far from satisfactory. 
The first well was abandoned after going down 942 feet as the conditions 
would not justify them iu going to any greater expense, but gas and salt 
water is sMll running from tie pipes and is being drank by some of our 
I'heiima'ie citizens with beneficial results. Oas well No. 2 was sunk 792 feet 
and the conditions were almost similar to No. 1. The last well, or No. 3 
was sunk 1.000 feet with better results than the other two, and it was 
town. Pipes were accordingly laid, and most of the business men had it put 
claimed by some exptrts that we had enough gas iu that one well to run the 
in their stores, but tl e flow wa^' not what was expected as lamps had to be 
",.'ed in addition to the gas to make good lights- At present there is some 
1alk of raising funds to sink another well, and as the citizens have already 
sunk over $3,000 in the bowels of the earth it will take a good deal of argu- 
i:ient to get them to invest in another hole. 



6'0 HISTORY OF ALI.EN AND 



IHcosbo ifaUs 

(by miss FLORENCE I.. SNO\V.) 

AVlien strangers eome into the town of Neosho Falls, they notice first 
the broad, smooth graveled streets and the beautiful embrasure of the river, 
and then they invariably put the question, "Where are the falls?" The 
olianging flow of water over tlie mill dain is most disappointing and the 
explanation that the riffle above the town site is responsible for the name 
is always met with dissatisfaction. But this gradual fall in the deliberate 
stream, just nine feet in two miles, was the determining factor in the 
genesis of tlie place and because the men who founded it liad the sense of eu- 
phony, Neosho Falls is a matter of natural right as well as verbal beauty. 

It was in the spring of '57 that this riffle in the Neosho i-iver gladdened 
the eyes of these pioneers. They had come from Iowa in an open buggy, two 
young comrades, full of the life that belongs to new countries and fresh 
enterprises, and they were looking foi- a suitable place to build a saw mill, 
and U> push their fortunes. 

One of them was a practical mill wright, Isaac W. Dow, a native of 
Maine, of strong well-bred nniversalist stock, lithe and active, clear-sighted 
generous-hearted and ready for whatever might come. The other was N 
S. Ooss, Stickney (ioss, as many who knew him in the early days still affec- 
tionately call him. He was a little older than his friend, and had recently 
sustained the loss that shadowed all his life — the death of his beautiful 
young wife. The descendant of an old Puritan family, he had- passed his 
later boyhood in AViseonsin whither his father luul emigrated from Ivan- 
caster. New TTampshire. He made the best of scant educational advantages, 
cultivated a natural fondness for ail sorts of bird life, and began the busi« 
ness activities which had prepared him for the Kansas venture. Of nervous 
temperament and a rather delicate but elastic physique, he had a great ca- 
pacity for patient, persistent work, and with a kindly, genial spirit and 
various other qualities of leadeiship. he was especially well fitted to becoine 
the main stav of an infant town as well as the '"Father of the Neosho 
Valley." 

After carofully inspecting the banks of the river and calculating the 
water power, the friends decided that the mill .should be built, and Mr 
Dow remained in camp "with the Indians," as he him.'-elf puts it, on 
\vhat afterwards became the T\euben Slavers farm, while Mr. Goss went to 
St. Louis foi- the hnnber aiul machinery. 

There were only two settlei-s in the vicinity, John Woolman, three miles 
west of the chosen site, and John Chapiiiaii who had a cabin near Spring 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 6l I 

Cieek, though to these might be added the Indian agent who was located 
tlnxe and a half miles east— the Leonard Puqua who still lives near Kansas 
City. The east bank of the river was thickly wooded for a prairie country, 
hut to the west of it the level groxind stretched away without even the 
shadow of a rock to the low bluffs that mark the ancient boundary of the 
water. Yef it seemed a promising country, and it was highly probable that 
if would appeal to many of the families who were seeking new homes in the 
famous territory. The mill w;is built, the people came, and lumber was 
made for their cabins. 

The first of these rude dwellings belonged to Enoch Pender, and his 
wife, who has recently followed her husband to the undiscovered country, 
was the first white woman in the settlement- Then Stevens and Rugglesi 
put up a grocei'y store and the original Falls House. Mr. Ruggles was 
the son of one of the first nu'ssionaries to the Sandwich Islands; had been 
named for one of the native chiefs, and in his utter disregard of his parents' 
leaching, gave additional emphasis to a most original and interesting 
character. 

With this- beginning the two initial nestors secured the necessary land 
and laid out the proportions of the futiire town, and a postoffiee having 
been granted to the ambitious se'tlement, Mr. Goss was appointed post- 
master. He also carried on considerable business with the Indians, and a 
grist mill was added to the original industry. 

When the war came on the village contained some very strong effective 
factors. Robert Mowry had come from Lawrence to assist in the building 
of the mill, and the great water-wheel that he created was a nine day's 
\>-onder. An ardent abolitionist, he had been in the thickest of some of the 
Tjawrenee troubles, and an equally devoted Methodist, he began the religious 
service in the new home that resulted in course of time in the organization 
of the Methodist church. He was, to the last of his days, which were all 
spent in Neosho Falls, a .seer of visions and a dreamer of intense religioiis 
dreams, yet he always stood for practical righteousness, and strove with all 
his power to forward the common ambition of making a good, clean, enter- 
I)rising town. 

Another notable addition was James Crane and his family. He had 
been a pioneer in Wisconsin, and was accompanied by Dr. Whitney and his 
wife and their daughter, and son-in-law, Mv. and IMrs. Hurd. The party 
had taken adjacent claims near lola, but being dissatisfied, had moved intfj 
the Falls where Willis Hurd, the first child born to the eonnnunity made 
his advent early in '60- 

Mr. Crane had a tough moral fibre and indomitable energy, and his 
wife was made of the same sterling stuff. They subscribed to the Con- 
gregationalist creed, and for many years abounded in good works. During 
the hard times of 'GO he was sent to Wisconsin and Illinois to solicit aid for 
the settlei's who felt tliat they must have help or abandon the country. He 
succeeded in getting an ai)])ropriation from the Wisconsin legislature for a 



6l2 HISTOKV OF AI.I.RX AND 

i;uaiitity of wheat, and I'usey Gi'aves, who was one of the most interesting 
characters the town has ever known, assisted very hirgely in the work of 
systematic relief. 

B. F. Goss, wlio organized the company we sent to the war, had joined 
liis lirotiier and built the first frame dwellinfr house in the settlement, and 
l)i-. Allen McCartney who had a superior education and a great fuiid of dry 
humor had opened a drug' store and begun a successful practice. Dr. S. J. 
Williams, an equally entertaining humorist, had also entered upon a similar 
avocation, and his eldest daughter, who still resides here, was the first female 
child born within our limits. 

With such a tnicleus foi' greater things the matter of education could 
not be neglected, and in the summer of '58 the first seliool was organized by 
a Miss Enmia Ccniltei-. of whom no record I'emains but that she was "pretty 
and stylish and well liked." and slie was followed the next wintei- by Mr 
llbenezer Curtis who "had good advantages and attracted many ])npils 
trom the country." He went to the war and became a colonel, sharing in 
the pi'onmtion that was quite common among the men we supplied. The 
response to the call to arms had been so general that the little coninninity 
was left at one time with only four men. O. P. Hougliawout who carried the 
mail, Mr. Mowry. whose religious convictions kept him at home. Dr. MeCart- 
ripy whort' practice made a stronger claim, and Major Snow, who came to 
the place early in '(;2 to take charge of the Indians who made up the Neosho 
agency. The neighborhood of the Indians made a good market for all sorts 
of produce, but it also added to the apiirehension of the time and the temper 
v\ the women who held the homes remained firm and true. It was during this 
period that the Widow Brengle who had f-oi-ce and courage enough for a 
much larger sphere, made a memorable ride to Tola to carry a message in 
regard to a threatened raid. As soon as it appeared that no one else could 
undei-take the eri'and she saddled her fleet little jwny and hurried away 
over the wide lonely prairie, stayed all night with some friends and was back 
again next day as if nothing unusual had occurred. 

And so tlie life of the place went on. The men came back some times 
(ill leave— some new arrivals came in, divine services were held by Mr 
Mowry. Mr. Lynn, a Presbyterian minister and Mi-. Northrnp, an earnest 
Congregationalist, and the school was kejit up as teachers cou4d be obtained 
The year of 'fi4 was marked by the opening of a private school by i\Iis.< 
Harriet N Clark, a niece of the Goss brothers who had been most carefully 
educated in her Wisconsin home, and who had been very desirous of enter- 
ing the missionary field. She had given up this hope on account of insnffi- 
c'ent strength and her mother's objections, and undertook the arduous war 
time journey to the new country feeling that in sjiending a little lime wth 
her uncles and engaging in teaching she could still enter iipon a very nsefid 
career. 

Mrs. Crane, in her husband's absence, had moved with her four children 
into the half finished Falls House, and kept a home-like hostehn'. Lieu 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 613 

tenant Crane, from his station in Missouri, sent material to finish the large 
room to X'entral City, and Mrs. Crane, eager for the good work to go on' 
.*<tnt the two younger children, George and Ada across eountrj^ in the 
big wagon to get it. It was a large undertaking for people of twelve and 
fourteen, bi;t they made the trip in safety, though they were overtaken by 
;; storm, and in a short time Miss Clark began her work, using an organ 
which the music-loving father sent his daughter from Fort Leavenworth 
and which was the admiration and delight of the whole community. 

The influence of this refined and lovely young woman wa« a very foi'tu- 
uate thing for the rising generation, and though one period of her history 
has been spent in another state, she has always been identified, with all oui 
nobler interests. Her father and mother decided to settle here soon after 
she arrived, and .she married later on Captain W. W. P. McConnel, whose 
family has been e(|ually prominent in our de^'elopment. The Clarks, like 
the Cranes, were devotee] Congregationalists, and the firm of Clark and Mc- 
Connel for a long perioel represented our leading mercantile interests and 
entered into every worthy enterprise. 

AVhen the war was over we hael the conuuon season of rehabilitation, 
auel as our citizens took up the work of making homes agai]j, the town 
i}iade .steady advancement. Through the instrumen*ality of Mr. Goss, who 
liad served as colonel in the state militia, the M. K. & T. Railroad passed 
through the town, and with its rounel house anel lanel office brought a great 
accession of life and energy. It was an easy matter to vote bonds, and the 
tiiwnship built the old brielge above the elam. It was a single, graceful 
iion span 225 feet long anel enelureel an incalculable amount of stress 
anel strain luitil the summer of '98 when it was wrecked by an undue 
weight and had to be replaced. In '69 the first school house was erected, 
and in '70 and '71 the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, after being 
f>*eshly organized, were provided with the rectangular structures of the 
jierioci. The county seat advantages belonged to us by natural right, and 
ill 1870 we reacheel tlie elignity of corporation with a population of thirteen 
hunelred souls, 0. P. Houghawout being the first mayor. 

We also had a newspaper and the Washington press upon which it was 
|)rinted had a history that was characteristic of the times. It had been 
brought to Leavenworth for free state service, taken to Lawrence for a 
similar purpose anel thence to Burlington for the founding of the Patriot 
liy ]\Ir. Prouty. It was next purchased by Wm. Higgins, afterwards Secre- 
tary of State and some other citizens of Le Roy, anel in '69 it passed into 
our possession through I. W. Dow and Captain W. W. P- McConnel. Some 
iriTgularities in this transfer resulted in a suit before the Supreme Court, 
anel the j-ecords show the judgment in favor of the last purchasers. Like 
any other pioneer the old press was built on heroic lines, and it was used 
here continuously uiitil Mr. Stout's ofi:'ice was biarneel in '98 when it was 
destroyeel with all the other property. 

The paper, as founded by I. B. Boyle, was called Tlie Frontur Dcrno- 



6l4 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

cyat, and was eoiisidered a vi^y bright and breezy sheet. It was the first 
newspaper- in the county, and it has passed through many changes. With 
W. II. Shivens it became a year hiter Tin Xcosho Falls Advertiser, and 
in January of 'T-i it was purchased by W. W. Sain who clumged the name 
1o Th< Woudsoii County Post, and gave it a stronger Republican character. 
Mr. Sain had been in the county since '66 and had made a distinctive record 
as County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and it was during his exertions that 
the paper reached its highest tone and largest usefulness. It reflected the 
vigorous independence and decisive judgment that have always marked his 
jijace among us and only the very bes^t that he could do was worthy of his 
readers. But with the removal of the county seat other business seemed 
10 be more profitable, and Nathan Powell and H. D. Dickson bought out 
the enterprise and gave it a different sphere as The Xeosho Ftills Post. 

]\Ir. Powell had had a varied experience in other fields, and Mr. 
Dickson was a young man of rare promise. He had begun his life here 
as a typo on the Aehertiser and assisted Mr. Sain in the many ways 
paper in '78 but resumed control in '81, and after two or three other 
(iI«'T) szes it was sold to J. N. Stout who still serves the community in 
the editorial capacity. 

During the early seventies a comparatively large number of superior 
that are known to the clever foreman. He studied law as he worked, 
and became a leading figure in oiir political, as well as legal circles until 
his removal to Emporia where he still resides. He retired from the 
people controlled the life of the town. The land office had brought 
the Hon. E. T. Goodnow and a stall:' of enterprising assistants, and 
Mr. Goodnow "s scholary training and refuiement, his high religious tone 
and steadfast character were all intensified by similar gifts on the part 
of his wife and their accomplished niece, Miss Hattie Parkerson. Major 
Snow having concluded the business of his agency brought his family 
trom Baldwin and made a permanent home in our midst. The Good- 
riehs and Hamms brought various good gifts and influences, Joseph 
Bishop began the career among us which has been one of our strongest 
elements. The "Woodwards and the Ennesses gave us various fine factoi's. 
D. \V. Finney has been a continuous and persistent force in business, 
political and social circles. Colonel W. L. Parsons bought the mill of 
Covert and Cozine, put in new machinery and increased its capacity, 
married one of our noblest daughters and entered upon a continued 
period of usefulness. C. B. Graves, now Judge Graves, of Emporia 
W. A. Atchison and T. J. Petit kept our legal lights aflame, though they 
left H. D. Dickson alone in the field, later on, and Dr. J. L. Jones had 
for a long time the largest and most successful practice in five county 
Our schools had necessitated a larger building; the churches were in 
ci flourishing condition ; everybody had rosy visions, and altogether it 
was an era of happy work, pleasant intercourse and buoyant vitality 
After a long conflict the county seat was finally fixed at Yates Center^ 



"W'OODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 6 1'J 

'but wc (luiekly recovered from the loss and assured ourselves that \\« 
could get along very well M-ithout the county business. Fillings Brothers 
established a woolen mill in 73 on the town side of the river which for a 
time was very successful, and in its failure paved the way for the flouring 
business of Finnej^ & Son which now occupies the buildings. 

In '71, I. W. Dow instituted a prosperous banking business which 
however, had a short life on account of the panic of '73. Mr. Dow 
then engaged in the lumber trade in which he continued until he left for 
.Marceline, Mo., in '86. But after fourteen years be has retnrn(>d to us, 
and his presence is greatly appreciated. 

This period was also marked by the erection of a cheese factory by the 
Rev. John Creath who was also pastor of the Presbyterian church, and 
who became, when the business failed, the principal of the city schools. 
But the largest enterprise of the time was the Neosho Valley District Fair 
ivhich held its first meeting in the fall of '75. The district v.'as composed 
V? the four sympathetic counties. Allen and Anderson, Greenwood and 
Woodson, the association was ably otflcered, and the stock made good 
returns in the development of the territory and rich fellow-feeling, though' 
it absorbed some hard-earned cash. The convenient grounds were leased 
at first from Colonel Ooss, and afterwards purchased. Even with the 
little work that could be done at best, they soon gained the reputation of 
being the most beautiful tract of woodland in the whole s'ate, and they 
have always pos.sessed a certain indefinable charm that draws people to 
Iheni upon every possible occasion. 

The fair reached its zenith in 1879 when the officers pos.sessed suffi- 
cient influence to entertain for a day President and Mrs. Hayes, General 
Sherman and various state dignitaries. The decorations and music and 
speeches ; the wonderful dinner that was spread for the guests ; the beau- 
tiful buck-horn chair that was presented to the President ; the surpassing 
display of produce and live stock, to say nothing of the chariot race that 
might have delighted an old Roman emperor, and above all the crowds 
and crowds of enthusiastic people. All these elements made up a very 
memorable event. "The time when Ha.yes was here" has never again 
been equalled. 

The decadence of the fair through changing sentiment and circum- 
slances, resulted in the purchase of the grounds by the city which takes 
much pleasure, but not enough pride, in the Riverside Park it has acquired. 
The Old Settlers' meetings, however, instituted six years ago by the people 
of the same territory, bring old friends and neighbors together, keep 
alive the spirit of good-fellowship, and give the blessed old trees fresh 
appreciation and opportunity. 

It was not only in the work of the fair, but in various other channels 
that Colonel Goss remained our most distinguished citizen. As president 
<f the M. K. & T. Railroad Company and as attorney for the Santa Fe, he 
had a large sphere of activity outside of the town, yet he always had time 



6'l6 HISTOKY OF AI.LKN AXD 

and thought for every worthy home ambition. Through all the busy years 
lie had spent his scant leimre upon the ornithological work which he "loved 
more devotedly with the passage of time, and with financial success and 
partial retirement from business, the pas-sion for bird study gained the 
ascendency, lie spent much time in travel for the growth of his collee- 
lion, and fiiudly in '82 he accepted the invitation to occupy quarters in 
the State House where his exiiuisitely mounted specimens still remain as 
a most remarkable illustration of individnal attainment. In '8fi Colonel 
(ioss publi.'hed thi'ough t'rane & Company a lai'ge and beautiful work 
upon the Birds of Kansas, and he has an approj)riate place among leading 
American ornithologists. The most effective clauses in our Kansas bird 
laws aie due to his exertions, and the feathered tribes still retain their 
sympathetic friend though the mortal man has passed away. He died 
sudd'-nly in the spring of "91 as he must have wished, here in the town 
for which he was so largely responsible, and in fidl tide of his special 
j'.spirations, and the expression of his spirit still abides iti all our at- 
mosphere. 

The I'enuivai of the round liouse and eliange in the J\I. K. & T. division, 
followed by the loss of the land office in '76 depi'ived the growth of the 
town of a very potent fac'^or. but the office building was purcha.sed for 
school purposes, aud in 1878 Professor J. J. ^IcBride organized the first 
high school grades, and in his teaching transmitted the finest intellectual 
inspiration oui' educational system has ever known. He wa.s a graduate 
of Ann Arbor, aud had had many o'^her fine opportunities, which united 
with a sanguine temperament and tireless euei'gy gave him a remarkable 
power of wakening the best possibilities in every individual pupil. And so 
strong was his persoiud charm that even when he was overcome by the 
lamentable elements in his character many of his pupils clung most 
Icyalty to the better nature they had i-evered. To them his "faults are 
all shut up like dead flowei'ets." and hecaute of the iMidless impetus 
he gave them they look back and call him bles.sed. 

With all his imperfections he stood for the workl of beneficent cul- 
ture, and we owe to him. perhaps, more than to any other person, the 
reputation we have gained of being the "Athens of the county." The 
teachers who came after him fostered the tone that has made our schools 
the very best possible to the size of the place, and the spirit of our people 
lias been unusuall.v refined for so small a town. 

And this has been a continued chararteristic through changing per- 
sonality. In the last twenty years many of our best families have moved 
away to more enterprising jilaces, though we possess a subtle atti'acticm 
that often draws them back again. And while we have had during the 
greater part of this period many very slumberous seasons, we still en- 
joyed enough life to pass a very comfortable and plea.sant existence. 

Through fatal fires and the help of our building and loan com- 
panies iiiMiiy of our old business houses have been replaced by more com- 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. '617 

modious aud substantial structures. In '82 the private bank of Hougha- 
wout and Goodrich was established in a convenient oifice built espeeiallj' 
for it, and the enterprise has given us continued service, though the firm 
has been changed to Goodrich and Inge, and again to Inge and Stillwell. 
The Congregational church was erected in the same year, the permanent 
organization having been effected in 71 by Rev. T. W. Jones, of Arvonia, 
and the permanent home thus secured has given us one attractively modern 
place of worship. In '86 a large city hall was completed and furnished, 
having been made possible by an initial movement on the part of the ladies 
pf the place, and a growing pride in our homes has made all our environ- 
ment more and more inviting. 

In '85 a branch of the Santa Fe railroad was budt from Colony to 
Yates Center and with direct connection with Kansas City and larger ship- 
ping facilities, the farming districts have contributed more largely to our 
business. With the return of general prosperity we have felt the common 
impetus toward greater things, and in the last year we have made more 
improvements than during ten years before. In '98 bonds were voted for a 
new school house, and we have built a modern brick structure that will 
supply our needs for many years to come, and be a constant pride and' 
}>!easure. Former attempts having failed, a fresh effort is being made to 
discover the gas which has so abundantly blessed our neighbors, new people 
of the right stamp are coming in. and enteriirise and hopefulness per- 
meate the air. 



6tS 



HISTORY OF ALLRN AND' 



ilbc fiDct)ical profession 

JiV E. V. WliAKTON, M. D. 

The iiiuu who came to Kansas in the early fifties were home builders 
and commonwealth architects— early eaglets fluttering out of the parent 
nest, whose leaving of the home crag indicated strong wings, determina- 
tion and what is known in western parlance as grit. No weaklings, uo 
■ ■ doubting Thomas s. ' ' none of taint heart led the van of civilization then,, 
nor ever will. Possibly they were somewhat rough in character, or a 
bit indift'erent to the strict observation of social rules, as provideil by the 
(iilletante of the East; yet, withal possessing a sense of honor which 
would have cheered the heart of the early cavalier. Warm-heartwl and 
charitable as an Oglethorpe or an Austen, prompt and exacting as a 
.John Winthrop, came they to build and fashion after their own notion.s 
a new conniionwealth in the great American desert. 

They were not all farmers seeking tillable land upon which to build 
homes, to plant orchards and to lay oti' fields ; nor tradesmen seeking soft 
.••naps and corner lots in newly erected cities: nor lawyers short on briefs 
and long on lore; nor preachers seeking locations for mission schools and 
invalid souls to be saved; nor incompetent and unemployed mechanics; 
nor promoters selling hot air and cerulian blue ; but an army of men and 
women, and with them a few brave, big-hearted and zealous doctors, they 
came bearing the plans for a state to be, yet, the grandest and most pro- 
gressive in the sisterhood of states. 

The doctor of pioneer days was an unique character. Educated he 
was, and learned— a.s learning in the colleges of the days of short terms. 
1) eager curriculum and rapid process of making doctors meant learned. He 
knew little of bacteria, less of plas moedinm materia and asepsis in 
traumatism, but possibly as much of the "agcr," the necessity of cleanli- 
ness and the effect of quinine and corn whiskey on the human system 
."R do our britrht yonntr men turned loose at the besinning of the twentieth 
century, schooled in Pasteurism and modern bacteriology, and licensed to 
maim and kill. His library was in his hend, his stock of drugs in his 
capacious saddle-hass. his wardrobe on his back and his office wherever 
he vas found. He cared little for churches or church cei-emonials. 
dfthhled somewhat in politics, talked sketehily of scientific Tuatters. 
.schewed the aesthe+icism of the Eostonian school: but would wneer his 
sTiu'-s sMletto or six-shooter on hi"? ability to cure the "shakes." extract 



WOODSON' COUNTIES, KANSAS. 619 

a tootli, or relieve intestinal spasm. He had heard that a Boston chemist a 
decade ago had discovered the wonderful ether agent-chloroform, but he 
knew little of general anesthesia and nothing at all of local anesthesia, 
Ci;caine and the ether spray ; and the effects of the lighter ethers as local an- 
esthetics were unknown to him. The anticeptic qualities of phenol he 
had not yet been introduced to. Yet he did his work patiently and 
well in the light which he possessed and contributed much of value to the 
generation which followed him. The doctor of 18.58, dressed in homespun, 
bi-oad-brimmed hat, and with trousers encased to his knees in jack-boots, 
and spurred like a knight of old, mounted on a bucking bronco, and 
with saddle-bags like paniers to a pack mule, would make a strange com- 
parison with the well-dressed and well-barbered M. D. of the present eia, 
seated in an easy carriage and accompanied by his driver. The appearances, 
though seemingly widely different, reveal the march of civilization and 
the development of a race of people who move rapidlj' and possess, to 
a wonderful degree, constructive ability. 

The medics, in common with other professions have furnished men 
who could be trusted to place a hand upon the helm of state. Kansas' 
first governor was a pioneer doctor. Her fir.st body of law-makers was 
made up of a respectable number of doctors, and in the passing of the 
succeeding history-making years, the roster of her diplomats, state.smen, 
and law-givers shows the presence of a fair rei)resentation called from the 
field of her medical workers. 

The oldest settler is somewhat in doubt as to when and where and 
as to who was the first doctor to locate in Woodson county. The weight 
of testimony leans to-ward Drs. John and L. Dunn, brothers, who established 
themselves at Belmont in 18,57 or 1858. Hon. William Stockebrand. who 
was wounded by an Indian in December, 1857. was treated by the Dunn 
b'-o+hevs a few weeks later. The Dunns did not remain long at Belmont. 
One of them met sununarv vengeance at the hands of the "vigilantees" in 
southeast Kansas while the other removed to Texas, but resides now at 
some point in Oklahoma. Tn 1859 Dr. D. J. Williams located at Neosho 
Falls, remaining until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he returned to 
Illinois, enlisted in one of the regiments of that state, served as hospital 
s+eward during the entire .struggle and returned to Nosho Falls in 186fi. 
His daughter, now Mrs. Lucy Gorbett, was the first white child born at the 
Falls of the Neosho. The doctor was rather an opinionated character and 
believed in settling matters according to his own notion of things. He 
was kind-hearted, attentive to the suffering and delighted in relieving "the 
sting of the venomed fang" by extraction. He died of cancer late in the 
seventies. 

About 1862 Dr. Tjogwood located in Belmont as the successor of the 
Dunn brothers. To him was charged the mistake of inoculating the entire 



62.1 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXD 

vicinity willi smallpox vims instead of the milder form of vaccine. As a re- 
yiilt a lar'ie portion of the pioneers of that portion of the county died of 
smallpox. 

Dr. Allen McCartney came to Neosho Falls in 1858. about the time 
Dr. Williams located there. He remained there durinot the war, was 
Lincoln's first postmaster at "the Falls." left there in 1868 and estab- 
lished a tradiuiT post at the foot of the mound where "Little Bear" was 
buried, at the junction of the Neosho and Fall rivers. Later, he was in- 
terested in the founding: of the town of Neodesha and still later represented 
h.is county (Wilson) in the state lefrislature. And now. in the glorious 
Funset of life, he looks back over the past with the consciousness that 
there was in his career a something which bettered those who followed 
him. as well as those who came into iiersonal touch with him. 

Dr. D. W. Maxson came to Woodson county in 1858 also, and located 
at Coy's store, now C'oyville. For a more extended mention of his career 
see his biography elsewhere in this volume. He has seen much ser^nce in 
professional life, is a sound counsellor, a good clinician and a worthy 
member of tbe profession. 

In 1869 and in 1870, Dr. R. B. Camfield and Dr. S. J. Carpenter, 
came to the county. Dr. Camfield located upon a claim on Soiith Owl 
Creek and. for some years, looked after the health of that community. 
Later he removed to Buffalo. Kansas, where he died in 1889, from wounds 
received from a vicious horse. Dr. Carpenter located near Neosho Falls, 
(lid something of a general practice, but was inclined toward special work. 
He established sanitariums at Humboldt and at Eureka, where he sought 
to treat chronic disea.ses of the respiratory organs. Not meeting vrith the 
success he expected in such a field of labor he settled dowTi, late in life, to 
general work in one of our live Kansas to^\•ns. 

Dr. D. L. Rogers came to Toronto from Canada in 1871. He was a 
bright and earnest worker, became tired of Kansas life and returned to 
the Queen's Dominion where he died in 1891. The same year (1871) Dr. 
.\. H. ^lann came to Toronto. He was just from the regular army 
and only remained out of the service, and in the practice at Toronto, a few 
years. He returned to Toronto again in 1875 and remained many years. 
He performed the first amputation that was done in Woodson and was 
regarded as one of the able physicians and surgeons of his day and 
county. He resided in Illinois when the Spanish- American war broke out 
and was conunissioned a surgeon in one of the regiments raised in that 
state and did duty at Tampa. Florida. Doctor R. B. Marr, a bright 
young man from one of the St. Louis colleges, located in Toronto in 1875 
where he was an active and energetic man, wedded to his profession. He 
became inoculated with a loathsome disease while attending a patient and, 
as a price for his martyrdom, was incapacitated, for many years, for pro- 



WOODSON countie;;, kaxsas. 621 

fi'ssional work. He is now iu south Missouri a physical wreck Ijut a pi'o- 
fessional hero 

Dr. J. L. Jones came to Kalida. a town which now lives only in histcu'v, 
\'.\ 1872. The doctor was a Kentuekiau — iu that Kentuckian means hospi- 
table, jolly, and with an eye to business. He practiced there three year? 
and the fifteen years following in Neosho Falls. In 1890 he removed to 
Leroy and in 1892 became a resident of Yates Center. In all his perigrina- 
tions he never lost sight "o' the silver." He amassed quite a competency 
and now resides on the Atlantic coast. 

Dr. T. J. Means, another old-fa.shioned. "old school" Kentucky doctor, 
opened his practice in Neosho Falls in 1872. His office was afterward the 
(lining room of Judge H. D. Dickson's residence. He believed in heroic 
doses of calomel and jalap, bled his patients profusely, and was a typical 
representative of the medical rennaisfance. He could not endure Kan- 
sas Republicanism and. in 1874, removed to Texas. 

Amoxig the seventies probably Dr. J. W. Driseoll was a character the 
most unique. He dropped into Neosho Falls a.s though he had fallen from 
the planet Mars, and to strengthen the .supposition, some of the cliarae- 
tcristics of the fighting god are herewith attributed to him : He was stub- 
born, imyielding. imperious, yet withal tender, compassionate and char- 
itable, doing his duty as he saw it. Possibly the most learned of his com- 
peers, yet not ".stuck up." he looked upon matters with only the eye of a 
scientist. "If you are worthy and can do the woi-k"— for he was a worker 
— "you are one of us: otherwise you must learn," said he to the 
Keophyte as to "the elect," until he knew them. For some years he had 
tilled the chair of mathematics in an eastern academy, taught the young 
man his first lessons in quadratics, discussed geometry from a straight line 
all the way through to conic sections— not even forgetting the pons asin- 
omm. taught trigonometry and talked of the value of angles, spoke of 
s'nes, tangents, chords, secants, et omnia gens, in fact was an "all-round 
man" in mathematical science. When he located among us the good people 
recognized his worth and made him a member of our board of examiners 
ti pass upon the qualifications of the teachers of the county, and also 
made him county surveyor. Be it said to his memory, his records are 
the only ones in the county which show surveys made by "latitude and 
departure." His notes, like his work, to a class of .':tudents are as exact 
as the science he loved. More of a surveyor and engineer than a doctor, 
ho left Kansas after a few years sojourn, returned to Indiana and. in 1882, 
died in the harnes.s as a teacher. Excentric he might have been, but 
bi-ight. brainy and brilliant, he was one of the needed men of his time. 

Dr. Parker was one of the birds of passage who came in about 1870. 
He and his family aspired to be social leaders in a pioneer town but his 
experience pro\ed only a Inboi' of love and after a few months "he folded 



(>22 HIsrOKV OH AI.I.KN ANT) 

his tent and quietly stole away" to a more appreciative n.iiiiMinni.N . 

Di-. B. D. Williams was the first honieopathist to locate in the country. 
His learuintr professionally was not of the highest order, nor did he have 
must respect for the Enjilish language, as tauglit from Kirkham to the 
latest edition of granimer. It was he who. on July 4. 1874. when the 
fantastic paraders removed their masks, remarked, "they ought to have 
aone to some obscure place to do that." In 1875 he went west and was 
h-.st in the flood of ciiiigi-ation to the Rockies during the decade which 
followed. 

Dr. John T. Warner was probably the most active and en.ioyed the 
most exteiiF-ive practice of any of his colleagues at the Falls. He was a 
pleasant and agreeable gen'lenian. competent and well liked by the people, 
but was too timid for a good physician. He died in 1875 from opium 
poisoning. He suffered from some ailment and liad taken a large dose of 
opium. Not getting better he summoned another doctor who, without know- 
ing his patient had already taken the drug, administered another large 
dose, and with fatal results. 

Dr. Will E. Turner, who inarried a daughter of Ma.jor Snow, was a 
competent man in his profession, but paid jnore attention to holdinsr down a 
homestead, and other outside matters, than medicine. He moved to Mon- 
tana, made money there. ]>ut was accidentally drowned in the Missouri 
river about 1880." 

Dr. J. W. Turner came to the county in 1872 and located northeast of 
Yates Center on a homestead. The doctor was a true scion of the Blue 
Orass state: was a Kentuckian in all that "a son of Kentucky" means. 
He did in his day, probably, more surgical work than any of the profes.sion 
of the county. He was somewhat irascible in temper, slightly inclined 
to haughtiness, yet a gentleman of the old school, one of the tjqie which is 
too i-apidly disappearing in this age of rush and "every fellow for himself." 
The first laparotomy ever attempted in the county was conducted by him. 
lie had a bu.sy practice for some years, served a.s county treasurer one 
term, was a director in the First National Bank of Yates Center and died 
ii'om hemorrhage of the stomach in 1885. 

Dr. O. J. Skinner came to this county in 1872 and located on a claim 
ad.joining Dr. Turner's. Tie was a Vermonter by birth and a Kentuckian 
by adoption and instinct. Among all the workers of the profession none 
were or will be more studious and observing than he. He loved books 
and a late light; was possibly the best clinician of his fellows and the 
safest counsellor of all the coterie of workers of his time. None more 
patient and none more desirous of knowing all of a case than he. After 
years of hard work and kindly admonition to the younger brood of doctors 
he fell asleep, with his sack for a [lillow. Among the old fellows who 



^•OODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. '62'^ 

(fame here in early days few were his peer as a carefTii, painstakinjx 
watcher and observer at tlie bedside of the sick, and none his superior. 

About 1873 Dr. AV. F. (iirdener came to Kalida and, in conjunction 
with Dr. Jones. conipos:ed the medical staff of that village for a time. In 
1S77 he removed to Yates Centei- where he died a year or two following, 
a victim of tuberculosis. 

The writer. Dr. E. V. Wharton, came to Yates Center, August 20, 
1876, and was the first medical man to fan the breezes of the county sea^t 
V ith his .shingle. July 1901 finds him here still. In 1877 his other col- 
leagues in tlie practice were Doctors Skinner, Turner and Girdener, at the 
430unty seat. 

Dr. S. J. Bacon came to Ya1es Center in 1S8U and purchased the 
Wolfer drug store. He has been in the drug business continuously since. 
The doctor is not a Kentuckian nor does he endorse the theories of the 
total abstainers. He did much work in the professional lield, was a 
horse fancier for some years, a sport and an all round good fellow. 

Dr. H. W. W«st came to the county as a protege of Dr. Turn«r in 1880. 
He has had a lucrative practice, married a most estimable woman, reared a 
.splendid familj^ and is going down to a glorious sunset of old age.. He is 
one of the Board of Pension Examiners of the McKinley administration. 

In 1882 Dr. George H. Phillips emigrated from Jacksonville, Illinois, 
It; Yates Center, entered the practice of medicine, bought an interest in a 
drug store and assisted in conducting the Sunday school. He is a man 
of brilliant parts, a hard woiker and careful observer, and left Kansas to 
assume the position of physician to the Indian school at Chilocco. I. T. 
He is now a resident of Pawnee. Oklahoma, and has been appointed, re- 
cently, as teacher and medical advi.'cor at Chilocco. 

Dr. George Rutlege. a playmate and boy chum of Dr. Phillips, came 
to Yates Center in 1881. remained a few brief months and removed -to 
"Missouri. The politics of that state, his practice and the climate, were not 
congenial and he returned to Kansas for a short period and finally took up 
his residence in Illinois. 

Dr. G. W. Lee another of the good man from the "Old Sucker State" 
spawned on Kansas, came in 1889. and practiced a short time in Yates 
<'ei)ter. He then took up his residence in Toronto where he has an 
enviable business. 

Dr. T. A. Jones became a resident of Toronto about 1888. did an active 
practice, was generally loved by the public, dabbled somewhat in polities 
and .social studies and died in 1894 or 1895. His work was thorough and 
hove the ear-marks of a plodding, painstaking student. 

Dr. Otes Orendorff came to Yates Center in 1893 fresh from medical 
college, was associated some years with Dr. Kellenberger, moved then to 
southern Missouri where he did some work. Tiring of IMissouri practice 



624 HISTORY OF AI.LEN AND 

and Missouri hospitality he returned tohis first love, metaphorically speak- 
inj;, and re-entered the practice alone. He bears tlie impress of the seal 
ol' work which is the characteristic of a Kausan and in the years to come 
will materially aid in completing the structure planned by the early ar- 
gonauts. He is one of the Board of Pension Examiners of the McKinley 
administration. 

Dr. B. F. Browning, after trying several locations in Kansas, in 1893 
concluded that Yates Center would suit and he located here. He rushed 
into a lucrative practice and, notwithstanding his Virginian idiosyncrasies, 
has become completely westernized and does things according to the Kan- 
sas rule. Bright affable young and energetic he has the elements necessary 
to continue pushing the profession in Kansas to the front rank with the 
best of the other states. 

Dr. A. J. Lieurance came to Neosho Falls in 1886 and has done some 
practice but pays more attention to the legitimate drug trade. He has 
dabbled some in politics as a Democratic leader, is financially independent 
and takes the world easj^ 

Dr. 0. S. Spaulding who came to Toronto in the late eighties or 
early nineties is the only homeopathic in the county. He has the distinc- 
tion of enjoying the confidence of the people, was a member of the 
Board of Pension Examiners, is clos'cly intoueh with the more advanced 
thinkers of sociology, is a student and ail tliat a thinker in Kansas parlance 
means. 

During the years of developing the territory known as ^Yoodson 
county a number of doctors, like the wild duck, have come and gone. 
Their stay was too short and their work too ephemeral to notice as a part 
of the hive of workers. Some were adventurers, some simply "doing 
the country," and some of the "make-fat" variety. Probably this county 
has had, as the years go by to make decades, a cla.ss of medical men as 
bright, as worthy, and who, in their humble way, have contributed as 
nnieh toward commonwealth building as the average county of the state. 
AVhile peans of praise are sung to the memory of the child of 
polities and occasionally a tablet is reared to commemorate the work of 
some special scientific discoverer, the country and pioneer doctor patiently 
plods his weary way, doing his best to relieve suffering and to bring back 
the flush of health. Nowhere is there a hall of fame for the humble medical 
worker. 

"To cure their ills, to guard the people's health 
Brings little fame and scarcely more of wealth. 

'Tis rare indeed upon the roll of fame 
To find inscribed the busy doctor's name: 

Nor is it wrought in gold or carved in stone. 
Few poets have writ the things by doctors done. 



W'OOJiSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 625 



To wiirsliip heroes and to sing their praise, 
To tell of love in many different waj^. 

Of hnnian happiness and human grief, 
All this has lieen of poetry the chief ; 

And yet. methinks the greatest theme of all 
ILis been negleeted. or scarce snug at all." 



FTISTOKY OF ALLEN AXD 



DANIEL \V. MAXSON. 

£)AXIEL ^V. ilAXSON is the leading physician in his section ciF 
Woodson county. No other medical practitioner of the county has str 
lonir resided within its borders and none more hitrhly deserves success 
i;nd prominence than Dr. Maxson. lie was born in Alleghany county, N 'w 
York, in January. 1S36. and is a son of John Maxson. a farmer by oc- 
cupation . who was born in Massachusttts and married ^liss Ann Ruth 
I;an<nvorth.v. a native of Rhode Island. They died in the Empire state, 
leaving two children, but the doctor is now the only surviving representative 
of the faniil.v. 

The subject of this review spent the days of his boyhood and .vouth 
upon the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools. 
He afterward took up the study of medicine, which he pui-sued at intervals, 
in the meantime providing for his support by teaming and b.v other such 
work as he could get to do. In his early manhood he left for the west, 
going first to "Wisconsin, whence he afterward went to Missouri, and later 
came to Kansas, arriving in the year 18;if?. He first located at Fort Scott, 
which at that time was only a military garrison, and subsequently he 
v.ent to Mapleton. Bourbon county, where he was living when the Civil 
v,ar broke out. He enlisted in response to the call for men to serve for ninet>' 
days, and later enlisted for three .vears as a memebr of the Ninth Kansas 
cavalry, serving in the Western Department. The firet two years of that 
time were passed as a steward in the general hospital at Fort Smith. He 
was with his regiment on White river. Arkansas, when the war ended and 
was discharged at Fort Leavenworth in the year 1865. 

The war ended. Dr. Maxson returned to Mapleton. Kansas. In ihe 
meantime he had resumed the study of medicine and had prepared for 
its practice. He had read to some extent under the direction of Dr. Norman 
D. Winans at lola. Kansas, and for two years was associated with him 
in practice. He then took up his abode on the Verdigris river, where he 
has since remained, his home being now in Toronto. His practice comes 




-ri^M^r 



^=2-*-^' 



/lyfr. 








S^^(^JIU^ 



WOODSON COUNTIE:;, KANSAS. 627 

not only from this town but also from Coyville and Buffalo and is quite 
extensive. He is the oldest physician in years of continuous practice in 
Woodson county, and as time has pased he has easily maintained his rank 
iimonsr the foremost physicians of this section of the state. He has k-^pt 
abreast with the progress made by the medical fraternity, is a discriminat- 
ing student, most careful in diagnosing disease and correct in ])rescriiiiig 
the medicines which will be.st supplement nature in her efforts to restore 
a healthful and normal condition. Although he attended two courses of 
medical lectures, the last one in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. 
he did not consider his studies ended and constant reading has kept him 
in touch with the onward march of progress made in the medical science. 

Dr. Maxson .was married in Mapleton, in 1860, to Miss Louise E. 
^lyrick, whose father came to Kansas from Tennessee. Mrs. Maxson died 
ilarch 27, 1901. Unto them have been born the following children : W. 
E., who is superintendent of the terminals of the railroad and steamship 
lines at Galveston. Texas; Prank; Henrietta, wife of Charles Chambers, of 
Purcell. Indian Territory: Ralph, of Toronto, and Lillie A., of Toronto. 

Prom the date of the organization of the Republican party Dr. Max- 
son has been in hearty sympath.y with its principles and gives his support to 
its men and measures. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day 
and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success 
oi the party. He is chairman of the Pension Examining Board of Woodson 
county, and is a loyal and patriotic citizen, who believes in upholding the 
starry banner of the nation wherever the courage and loyalty of the Amer- 
ican soldier has planted it. The doctor has a very wide acquaintance 
throughout Woodson count}' where he has so long made his home and his 
niany sterling traits of character as well, as his splendid work in the line 
of his profession have gained for him the confidence, good will and 
high resards of all with whom he has been brought in contact. 



THOMAS L. REID. 

For twenty-five years connected with the business inlerests of Wood- 
son county and with its public affairs, Mr. Reid is regarded as one of the 
valued and representative citizens of Yates Center and this entire section 
of the state. He is ela.ssed among the men whose energy, determination 
and business ability are leaving an impress upon the rapidly-developing 
civilization of the west. To-day he is at head of the leading livery and 
transfer business of Woodson county, and for many years he was widely 
Iv-nown as the popular host of some of the best hotels of this portion of 
the state. 



628 HISTORY OF ALLEN AM) 

A native of the province? of Xova Scotia. Mr. Hcid was hoi-ii on !':c 
2d of Xoveniber. 1850. a son of l^zra and Tabitlia (Ells) Reid. whose 
family numbered five children. Theodore H.. of South Farniinprton. Massa- 
chusetts; Albert B., of IMaine: Thomas L.. and a son '\Ym. D.. and daucrh^er 
Mary S. Eaton, living in Nova Scotia, are the survivors of the family, the 
parents having: passed away. 

Mr. Reid of this review received very meager educational privil -ges 
in his youth, but reading, experience and observation in later years have 
made him a well informed man. In ]8(i8 he went to ;\Ia.ssachusetts and se- 
cured employment in a shoe shop and later in a grain store. Afterward he 
entered upon a elerfchip in a hotel, where he gradually worked his way 
upward, enjoying the un([iuilified confidence and regard of his employer, 
t'n the 3d of November, 1878. he returiu>d to Nova Scotia and was mar- 
ried at Bridgetown. Annapolis county, on that day to Bessie Willett. 
daughter of Captain John R. AVillett. 

At the time of the financial panic of 1878 Mr. Reid was chief clerk in 
the Marlborough Hotel. With the sudden and extensive reductions in 
working forces along all lines came his own forced retirement in the early 
part of 1875 and he left New England in search of work in other parts of 
the country. Believing that the west would afford him better opportun'- 
ties he came to Kansas. March, 1875, arriving in Neosho Palls with only 
thirty-five cents in his pocket, but he possessed a determined ^pirit and tui- 
faltering energy and these stood him instead of capital. He found ;i 
friend in the proprietor of the Falls House, a New England man who 
aided him until he could get woi-k. Here for the first time he engaged in 
farm work, entering the service of W. P. Sharp, an agriculturist, who 
gave him fifteen dollars a month in compensation for his services. "Within 
six months he had arranged to take charge of the hotel at Necsho Falls and 
then sent for his wife. Prom the fall of 1875 until 1882 he conducted 
that hostelry and thus gained some capital. He afterward spent a few 
months in the Leland Hotel, in Tola, but returned to the Falls House, which 
ho conducted until 1887 .when he transferred all his interests to Yates 
("■enter and became the proprietor of the Hotel Woodson, with which he 
was connected as proprietor at different times for twelve 3'ears. retiring 
from its management in September. 1899. For nearly twenty years he 
has been engaged in the livery and transfer business and is the leader in 
his line in Wooflson county. 

Mr. Reid has been called to a' number of positions of public trust by 
his fellow townsmen who recognize his worth and ability. He was ap- 
jiointed by Abe Smith to the position of deputy sheriff for Woodson 
county and was marshal of Neosho Falls from 1876 initil 1880. In 1801 
lit- was nominated and elected .sheriff of Woodson county, and re-elected 
in 1893, thereby holding the office the limit, a fact which indicates his 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 62g 

l)opularity in the I'aiiks of his party. In 1888 he was a strong competitor 
for the ofifice of United States marshal, and in 1896 he was a leading can- 
didate for the nomination for representative to tlie general assembly. In 
1901 he was elected mayor of Yates Center by a large ma.jority. In politics 
he has ever been a Kepublican, unswerving in support of the principles of 
the party. He cast his first presidential vote for Governor Tilden, but 
since 1876 has been a firm advocate of the Grand (31d Party. His record 
as an officer of the law cannot be successfully attacked and his reputation 
n:. a citizen grows brighter with the lap.>-e of years. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reid have been born the following named : Edith, 
wife of L. F. S'anuiels, of Coffeyville, Kansas; Maude, wife of C. W. 
Lockard, of Will Springs, Missouri ; Walter L. ; Harry H. ; Edwin C, and 
Mary E. The family occupies a leading position in social circles. Mr. 
Reid to-day stands among the most prominent men of his adopted county. 
He is public-spirited in an eminent degree, local advancement and na- 
tional progress both being subjects dear to his heart. He commands the 
un(iualified confidence and respect of his fellow men by reason of his 
sterling worth, his fidelity to duty and his unquestioned probit.y, and such a 
1 ecoi-d is well worthy of emulation. 



AUGUST LAUBER. 

AUGUST LAUBER is familiar with pioneer experiences and en- 
vironments in Kansas for he came to Woodson count.y forty-three years ago 
wben the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. He 
WHS born June 30, 1827. in Westphalia, Germany, a son of Otto and Amelia 
iMaier) Lauber. The father was a farmer whose people had resided in 
liuit locality for many generations and the mother's family were also 
farmers. By her marriage she had the following children : Henry ; Minnie, 
deceased wife of Frederick Mischer, of La Grange, Texas, and August. 

When our subject was young he worked upon the home farm and 
pursued his education in the common schools. Thinking to benefit his 
financial condition in the New World he bade adieu to friends and native 
land, and on the 12th. of September, 1853, took passage at Bremen on the 
sailing vessel, Jule. which on that voyage was six weeks in reaching New 
York. Having friends in Illinois, Mr. Lauber at once made his way to 
Stephenson county, in that state, where he engaged in farming, in teaming 
and in other labor that would yield to him an honest living. With capital 
);e acquired through his own efforts he purchased one hundred and twenty 
acres of land. The year 1857 witnessed his removal from Freeport, Illinois, 
to Kansas. He was in hearty sympathy with the free state movement and 



630 HISTORY OF ALLEN AN'I) 

frave his support to tlu' ertorts being made to keep slavery out of the terri- 
tory. He became identified with farming interests here, securing one 
hundred and sixty acres of land on fectionl, Yates Center township. It 
was then covered with wild prairie grass and native timber, but his 
liibors have wrought a great change in its appearance. It has continuously 
been his home for forty-three years and is now a very valuable property, 
improved with all modern aeeersories and conveniences. The boundaries of 
the place, however, have been greatly extended, and to-day iSIr. Laubcr is 
the owner of eleven hundred acres of the rich farming land of Kansas. At 
the time of the Civil war he served in the state militia and while in Ger- 
many he had served in the war in Schleswig. 

On the 23d of November, 1860, Mr. Lauber was united in marriage 
to Louisa Stockebrand, who came to the United States in 1859. Fhe was 
born July 5, 1830 and their marriage has been ble.^.sed widi six children: 
William, who married Augusta Harder and is now living in Yates Center: 
August: Herman: Henry; Matilda, wife of John Ropp, of Harper county, 
Kansas, and John E. Mr. Lauber and his family are all members of the 
German Evangelical Church and he and his sons are stalwart Republicans, 
his support having been given to the party since he cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. In a land where are no class 
conditions and opportunity is open to all Mr. Lauber has steadily worke<l 
his way iipward, winning a high measure of success, having a handsome 
competence for the evening of life. He is well known and is popular with 
his many friends and in the history of his adopted county he well de- 
M.rves representation. 



GEORGE W. COX. 

GEORGE W. COX, one of the leading and inllucntial citizens of AYood- 
scn county, is now serving as chairman of the board of county commis- 
sioners acquitting himself in a most creditable manner as the incumbent 
of that important position. He is a firm advocate of Republican principles, 
having always supported the party, and his opinions carry weight in its 
councils in this section of the state. He is likewise prominent as a repre- 
^ellt.ative of agricultural interests, having devoted most of his time to 
farming since coming to the county in November, 1885. He now owns a 
valuable tract of land of two hundred and forty acres in Eminence town- 
ship, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of the crops best 
adapted to the .soil and climate. 

Mr. Cox was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 4. 1855. 
and is a son of George W. Cox, and a grandson of Jost'i)h IT. Cox. the 



"VVOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. fej'l 

"iiitter a iiiillwriulit by ti-ade. His wife died yinniji' leaving a 
family of four sons and two daughters. One of the sons, William Cox. 
served his country in the war of 1812. George W. Cos. the father of oiir 
subject, was l)orn in the Keystone state, near Chambersburg, August 14, 
1812. and in 1815 his parents removed to western Pennsylvania, where he 
was reared. He married Elizabeth A. Cope, whose parents went from the 
vicinity of Philadelphia to the western part of the rtate. Mr. Cox followed 
farming in Fayette county through his active business career but he and his 
wife are now living retired in Green county, Pennsylvania, the former at 
the age of eighty-nine years, the latter seventy-seven years of age. Their 
children ai-e: James F., who died at the age of three months; Joreph H.. 
of Dickinson county, Kansas: Eli C. of Miami coimty, this state; Elma, 
wife of Pinley Woodward, of Payette county. Pennsylvania : Sarah J., who 
■cied at the age of twelve years; Mary E., wife of George Frost, of Green 
county. Pennsylvania, and George W. 

The opportunities which George W. Cox had in his youth were such 
as mos+ boys of the period enjoyed. He pursued his education in the cnm- 
n'onschools. and after nutting aside his text books he became familiar with 
the practice) work of the farm in all its departments, following that pu''- 
suit throucrhotit his residence in the state of his nativi+v. He first visited 
this s+ate in 1877. snendinor the .summer at Wellsville. and being well 
pleased with the country and the future prospects of the sta'^e he ultimately 
decided to locate here, coming to Woodson County in November. 1885. 
He made the journey direct from Fayette county, Pennsylvania and 
located upon section eighteen, township twenty-six, range sixteen, on a 
partially improved fann. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of 
valuable propert.v. The latest improved machinery facilitates the work 
of cultivation, and substantial "buildings add to the vahie and attrac'ive 
appearance of the place. In 1893 Mr. Cox began merchandising at Rose, 
where he carried on his store for six years and then sold out to Al Troyer, 
resuming his work upon the farm. 

On the 3d of October, 1878. Mr. Cox was united in marriage in Fayette 
<!Ounty, Pennsyh'ania, to Miss Agnes C. Leighty, a daughter of Stephen S. 
Jjeight}'. a farmer of Fayette county, where he was born in 1814. He mar- 
ried Eliza Hutson, and his death occurred A\igust 10, 1892, while his 
wife passed away in 1863, leaving the following children : William, of 
StatTord county, Kansas; Henry, of Macomb. Illinois; Kate, wife of Milton 
Blair, of Oklahoma ; Taylor, of Payette county, Pennsylvania : Rebecca, 
Avife of Joseph Pier.sol, of Ohio; Anna, wife of Robert Rankin, of Stafford 
county, Kansas; Stephen S., of Reno county, Kansas; Eliza, wife of Davis 
D. Woodward, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and Mi's. Cox. After the 
death of his first wife Mr. Leighty married Mary Hair, and their cliildreu 
were ; Emma, wife of Chester P. Gween, of Payette county, Pennsylvania ; 



'^^- rifs-roRV OF' ALtEJJ a;ct>- 

\>ortl:y of their rejraid. His bin iness eaiecr is tilike. five fiom taiiiisli as'- 
ht' IS always straitihtfonvard in his dealiii'_'. liviii^r in touch with the 
highest ethics of «niimoiv-ial lift-. 



FKKDKKICK SCHAEDE. 

Ph'KDERK'K SCHAEDK. who is engaged in farming on section 
six. Eniii:enee township. Woodson county, took up his abode here in 187:1,. 
and hax resided e^jiitinuonsly since upon the farm which is yet his home.' 
"» was born in Brandenburg, (Jcrniany. in tlie viUage of Friedeburg. Jan 
uary 28. 1842. and is a son of Henry and Willielmina i Weichinan) Sehaede, 
who were also natives of Brandenburg, the former a farmer by occupation' 
In the year 187:1 the parents and their diildren crossed the Atlantic to the 
.Vew World and. making their way westward to Kansas took up their 
abode upon the homestead now owned and occupied by our subject. There 
were five children: Frederick: Amelia, now the widoAv of John Yeager, 
i.f Woodson county : Ferdinand, of Owl Creek township. Woodson county, 
ai:d Frank and Gottlieb, who are residents of Everett township, this 
county. 

In the fatherland Frederick Schaede was reared, and in accordance 
vith its laws he acquired his education. The reports received concerning 
America and its opportunities and privileges decided the family to cross 
the ocean, and with the family Mr. Sehatde came to southeastern Kan- 
sas He first located on the northeast ((uarter of section six. township 
(J. S. (j., also of that county, and John of Wa-shiuglon county, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Mrs. Cox was born December 7, 1856, and by her marriage she has 
become the mother of six children, of whom three are living: Stephen L., 
George W. and Kenneth K. The family have a pleasant home in Eminence 
township and ilr. and Mrs. Cox are prominent citizens of their com- 
nuiuity. He is a stanch Kepublican in politics. The members of the Cox 
family were originally Whigs, and when the Kepublican party was formed 
joined its ranks. Our subject has therefore followed in the political foot- 
steps of his ancestors and has been quite prominent in the work of his 
jiarty in the township. He lia;* served as township treasurer and in 18915 
lit was nominated as the candidate to till out an unexpired term as county 
commissioner, to which position he was elected. In 1898 he was re-elected 
lor the full term of three years, so that his incumbency will cover live 
years, and at the pre.-ent time he is serving as chairman of the board. 
His course reflects credit upon his constituents and indicates his patriotic 
interest in his county, its welfare and its progress. He is a man who, 
without false ostentation or display, by his sterling worth commands the 
confidence, good will and respect of his fellow men, being in every way 



"XrODIISON tdX'XTTKS, K'AXSAS. (>,:;;, 

?t\ven1y-.'ix, raiigv sixteen, in Woodson county, and has continuously di-- 
.-Qted his energies to the cultivation of the farm. He has added many 
improvements in the shape of large, commodious and substantial buijd- 
i:igs, including the erection of a comfortable residence and good barns, 
and all modern equipments have been secured, making the place one of 
the most desirable country .feats in this portion of the county. He has also 
added to his landed possessions, purchasing a tract on section five, Eminence 
township, so that his prnpert>- interests now include four hundred acre>:. 
Tn addition to the cultivation of the fields he is also engaged in raising 
ciittle and sheep, fine grades of both being found in liis pastur«>. He 
lias found both branches of his bu.siness profitable and is now accounti'd 
one of the substantial agricnlturifts and stock raisere of tlie eomnranity. 

Ere leaving the fatherland Mr. Sebaede was united in marriage to 
Miss Bertha Kendt, tire wedding being celebrated on the 14th. of April, 1871 
The lady is a daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Gulicke'i Kendt, whose 
childi-en ^rere as follows: Florence, wife of William Moritz: Carl: Wil- 
liam: Henrietta, wife of William Kaushke : Augusta, wife of John Guse : 
Hnlda. wife of Herman Cuse. deceased, and Mrs. Sehaede. The marriage 
r," our subject and his wife has been blessed with seven children, namely: 
Fritz, who married Anna Schultz: Anna, wife of William S+ange. of 
Woodson county: Hulda : Amelia, who is engaged in teachino: in Woodso') 
county: Flora: Herbert, and Lillie. The family is one well known in the 
county where the parents have resided for twenty-eight years, and the 
nembers of the household occupy enviable positions in the social circh s in 
v.hieh they move. ^Ir. Sehaede gives his political support to the TJenubli- 
icfin part.v. having been one of its stalwart advocates since he cast his first 
i>i esidentinl vote for Kutherford B. Haves. 



OEORCE STOLT.. 

Thirty-one years covers the period of ^Ir. Stoll's residence in Kansas, 
the date of his arrival in the state being 1870. While the republic of 
Switzerland has furnished a comparatively small number of citizens to the 
jN'ew World they have been men of worth, diligent, enterprising and 
I'-ustworthy. Among the numbei' is Mr. Stoll. who was born in the land of 
the Alps, his birth having occurred in Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland, 
January 3, 1848. His father. Daniel Stoll. was a farmer of that country 
and there married Elizabeth Werner. In the j^ear 1853 they came to 
the United States, located in Clark county, Indiana, where they spent 
their remaining da.vs. They were the parents of five children, namely: 
John, now deceased: Magdalena, deceased wife of Conrad Bollinger; 
Daniel, of Clark county, Indiana : Barbara, wife of William Dietrich, also 
')f the same count\', and George, of this review. 



634 irisl'ORv of allkj^ akd 

The last named was a little lad of five years when bioiitrht by his: 
parents to the Ignited States and in Chirk county he was reared and edu- 
cated. eiijoyin<r the advajitage:; afforded by the eomnion schools. He left 
home at the ai;o of twenty-one years and at Louisville, Kentucky, en- 
listed in the retiuiar army as a member of the Second United States In- 
fantry, with which 1 e served for a few months, when he was discharged by 
order of the war department. 

Mv. Stoll came from Clark county, Indiana, to Kansas, locating tirst 
ill Ilumbi)ld1, where he resided foi' two years, being employed by tlie month 
On his arrival in Woodson county in 1872 he purchased a new and unim- 
proved farm near Buffalo creek and was engaged in its cultivation tor two 
years, moving thence to tlie northwest ([uarter of section twenty-six, town- 
ship twenty-six. i-ange sixteen, upon which lie has resided the greater 
part of the time since. His labors have wrought great changes in the ap- 
pearance of the place, transforming the raw tract into fields of grain, 
giving indication of coining bouutcous harvests; buildings of commodious 
size and substantial structure adorn the farm and everything indicates the 
careful supervision of a thrifty owner. Twice he has made trips to Colo- 
rado, looking over tl;e country, but each time has returned well satisfied 
with his Kansas home. lie had but limited financial resources at the time 
of his arrival here but lias found that foitune vouchsafes a sure and 
good return for lionoiable and I'oiitimious labcu', when directed by sound 
business judgment. 

Mr .Stoll was married in Humboldt in 1871. to Charlotte N. Thomas, 
a daughter of (ieorge Thomas, originally frcnn Indiana. Twelve children 
graced their union, but they lost the tirst born, (leorgie, who died at the 
age of .seventeen years. The others are: John, of Wilson county, Kansas; 
Albert, Clyde, (!uy, Daisy, Ia'o, Carl, Ray, Emil, Glenn and Beryl all yet 
under the parental roof. The family have a pleasant home upon the 
farm, which comiirises two hundred and forty acres of rich land aud 
yields to parents and children an income supplying them with all the neces- 
sities and many of the luxuries of life. In his jwlilical views Mr. Stoll is 
a Republican, being in hearty symi)athy with the policy and platform of 
ihe party. 



CHARLES F. M'GILL. 

'i'hroughout the years of his business career Charles Frank ^IcGill 
has been a resident of Woodson county, having located within its borders 
in 1876. He makes his home in Perry township, where he follows agricul- 
tural pursuits, finding therein a profit^ible source of income. He was born 
March 6, 1856, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Thomas Mc- 
Gill. who became a well known faiiiier and stock-raiser of Mar.shall county, 



WOODSON COUNTIE!!, KANSAS. 635 

Illinois, where he died iu October, 1899. He was born in Virginia in 1S17, 
but in early life went to Pennsylvania and was married iu Pittsburg, that 
state, to Martha Craig, who departed this life in ""iVoodsou county in 1899, 
at the advanced age of four score years. The original American an- 
cestors of the McGill family were of Ii'ish birth and came to this country at 
an early epoch in its development. In the years which followed his arrival 
at man's estate, the father of our subject was a boatman on the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers, running between Pittsburg, St. Louis. Missouri, and New 
Orleans. He was thus engaged for thirty-five years, being made a pilot 
ai the age of eighteen. At one time he was on a transport on the lower 
Mississippi when General Marniaduke's soldiers fired upon the boat. He 
was twice wounded and his injuries forced him to give up piloting. 

Upon leaving the water Mr. McGill turned his attention to farming and 
u-ds connected with agricultural interests in La Salle and Vermillion 
Jtiunlies. Illinois, finding this a profitable labor. He thus carried on busi- 
ness until the infirmities of age forced him to retire to private life. His 
children were as follows : John, of Woodson county ; Annie, wife of 
Charles (jriffin, of Winona, Illinois; George W.. of AVoodson county, and 
C. Prank, of this review. 

In taking up the {)ersonal history of our subject, we note that he 
spent the greater part of his yoiith in Illinois and is indebted to the public 
school system of that state for the educational privileges which he enjoyi d. 
He became familiar with the labors of field and meadow upon his father's 
I'arm and n niained in Vermillion county, Illinois, until 1876, when he came 
to Kansas, making the journey by rail to Humboldt. He then located upon 
section eleven, township twenty-six, range sixteen, and for many years he 
has now been cla.ssed among the leading agriculturists of Perry township. 
His diligence and perseverance are numbered among his salient character- 
islics and have been the leading elements in his success. His political sup- 
port is given the Demooracv, in harninnv with the political lielief of the 
McGill familv. 



BAXTER P. BAKER. 

BAXTER P. BAKER is a well known business man of Yates Centei', 
where he is engaged in dealing in lumber. He is also an extensive land 
owner and belongs to that class of representative citizens who owe their 
pi'osperity, not to a succession of advantageous circumstances, but to 
earnest, honest labor. He came to Woodson county in 1866 and has since 
been actively identified with its interests. 

INIr. Baker was born in Gentry county, Missouri, in the year 1845. 
Little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family save that its 
representatives were residents in eastern Kentucky and western Ten- 



636 HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

nessee and in the lattei' locality the parents of our subject were born. The 
father died in early life and the children were therefore bound out, our 
subject among the otliers. When fourteen years of age his parents by 
i:doption, being dead, he left his native comity and went to Iowa where he 
rtniaiued for a year. He managed to mal e his way to Illinois where his 
parents has resided previous to their removal to Missouri. About this time 
the country became involved in Civil war and with patriotic spirit Mr. 
Baker ottered his services to the government, enlisting in Company B. 
One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, under the command of 
Colonel Kenny, the regiment serving with the western department of the 
army. He participated in the Banks campaign up the I\*ed river and sub- 
sequently turned north to Misr-ouri to aid in the defeat of Price's army. 
With his regiment h.e then vi'ent south again and took part in the move- 
ments aromid Nashville which resulted in the destruction of Hood's army. 
from that point he went with his command to jMobile. Alabama, and 
participated in the charge on Fort Blakely which led to its idliniate cap- 
ture. Tie remained in that state until nmstered out of service in August. 
1865, his company being disbanded at Springfield, Illinois. After the war 
Mr. Baker spent six months near Springfield on a farm, and then deter 
mined to try his fortune in Kansas. In 1866 he started for this gieat 
l)rairie section of our country, making his way to lola, Allen county, from 
Ottawa aiul thence turning we.tward to Belmont township, AVoodsoii 
county. There he made arrangements with a settler for his claim, improved 
the property and has since made it his home. He turned his attention to 
farming and stock-raising. He prospered in the undertaking and his finan- 
cial resources increasing, he added to his property until he now ha.s nine 
hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, constituting one of the most 
(iesirable farms in this portion of the state. He came to Woodson 
county with a cash cai)ital of one hundred and forty-three dollars and ten 
cents, a second band wagon and a good team, and here he has resolutely 
worked his way iipward. the difficulties that he has encountered seeming but 
lO serve as an impetus for renewed effort. Som years ago he took up his 
residence in Yates Center and there he erected his home. He has since 
spent his time upon the farm and in his city residence, but since embarking 
in the lumber business in 1889, he has resided during the greater part of the 
rime in the county-seat. He is a prominent lumber merchant, carrying on 
an extensive business, while at the same time his income is materially in- 
(•rea.sed by the profits of his land and stock-raising interests. 

Mr. Baker was nuirried in Woodson county, on the 1st of September, 
1867, to Miss Sarah Brock, a daughter of Abram Broek, who became a 
resident of Kansas in 1866. She died in 1874, and Mr. Baker afterward 
niarried Amanda I. Brock. The one child of the first nu\ri-iage is Mi's. S. 
(t. Keck, of Yates Center. Bv th.e second marriage there are three chil- 
dren: Sadie I., now the wife" of D. W. Fisher; Viola, the wife of C. D. 
Young, of Yates Center, and Russell, a student in the Agricultural College 



WOODSON couxtie;;, kaxsas. 637 

of Kansas. 

JMany years ago i\Ir. Baker was a very active worker iu the ranks of the 
Kepiiblican part,y but he is now a staunch Prohibitionist. He labored 
earnestly toward securing the location of the county-seat at Yates Center, 
it having been formerly at Kalida and afterwards at Defiance. He is 
a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and as a citizen he 
v.'itliholds his support from no measure or movement calculated to prove of 
general good. 



ALBERT COE. 

ALBERT COE, who is extensively and successfully engaged in farm- 
ing in Liberty township, Woodson county, was born in Geauga county, 
Ohio, May 5, 184S, a son of John T. and Nancy (Wilkins) Coe, the former 
was born Feb. 20, 1811, a native of Ohio and the latter, Nancy W., of Ver- 
mont, was born Aug. 18, 1813. The father spent his entire life in the 
Buckeye state and followed the occupation of farming. When the dis- 
loyally at the south was followed by an attempt at .secession, he offered his 
services to the government in 1862, and with patriotic ardor joined the 
Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but his death occurred at Camp 
Chase, about eight months later, when he w'as fifty-one yeai"s of age. His 
wife survived him until 1874, passing away at the age of sixty-one years. 
They were the parents of five children, namely: Daniel T., born Feb. 10, 
1839, who is now in Iowa; Clara E., born Oct. 4, 1840, wife of A. V. 
Whitney, of Illinois : Lucy E.. born Feb. 5, 1842. wife of J. W. jMills, of 
Illinois; Albert, and Amy, wife of W. T. Clark, born April 3, 1851, also of 
the Prairie state. They also lost one son, Arthur B.. who was born in 
1847, July 18. and died at the age of three years. 

Albert Coe, the fourth child and second son, remained with his mother 
until l.er death, and with her removed to Livingston county, Illinois, in 
1864. He had been educated in the common schools and was reared to farm 
life, thus gaining that broad, practical experience which now enables him 
to successfully carry on agricultural pursuits on his own account. After 
arriving at years of maturity he won as a helpmate and companion upon 
the .journey of life Miss Parsina Clark, their marriage taking place on 
('hristmas day of 1870. The lady was born in Livingston county, Illinois, 
October 12. 1851. and is a daughter of E. S. Clark, who was born in Ohio, 
February 27, 1819, and married Mildred A. Jones, born Nov. 6. 1822, of 
Kentucky. They removed from Indiana to Bureau, Illinois in 1845, settling 
ii: Livingston county about 1850. Seven children were born unto them: 
Willam T.. born March 4, 1848; Farsina. now Mrs Coe: Annice, wife of W. 
B. Boatman, born March 3, 1854; Frank born January 8, 1856; Lycurgus, 
who was born December 22, 1857, and died Jan. 17, 1859 ; John E. who was 
born October 28, 1859, and died September 18, 1871, and Winfield S., who 



63S HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

was boru October 17. 18ti2. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are yet living at their 
old home in Illinois, and have attained an advanced age. Six children have 
graced the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coe: W. A., born December 28. 1871 : 
A. D., born May 6. 1873 : Nettie, who was born December 17. 1874, and 
died March 17, 1875 : H. M.. born March 22. 1876 : Maud M.. born Decem- 
ber 24. 1S77. and Clara A., born November 24. 1885. All are yet living 
with their parents or in the same locality in Liberty township, and all 
were born in Illinois, save the youngest daughter. 

Mr. Coe came with his family to" Kansas in 1881, locating in Woodson 
cdimty upon the farni which he now occupies. He purchased three hundred 
and twenty acres of land, jtlaced the fields under a high state of cultivation, 
erected a nice residence on an elevated portion of the grounds and sur- 
rounded his home with beautiful forest trees, which cast a grateful shade 
over the house and lawn in the summer season. lie also built one of the 
largest barns in Liberty township. He follows general farming and stock- 
raising and in company with his sons is extensively engaged in the raising 
and sale of hay. having two barns in which this product of the meadows 
is stored. In 1900 they put up and shipped seven hundred tons of hay. 
He has his farm well fenced and divided into fields, pastures and meadows 
of convenient si.ze, and one hundred and 80 acres of his land is under 
cultivation, being plante'd to corn and small grain. He also ha? -xV.- ' 
amount of stock his farm will support, feeding his products to his hogs and 
cattle. Mr. Coe is a man of resolute will and determined purpose and 
carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Thus 
in the business world he has advanced step by step to a foremost position 
among the leading agriculturist. His farm is the visible evidence of his 
labor, the proof of his prosperity and it represents years of honorable toil. 



STEPHEN E. PORTER. 

"The Gods give naught to sloth," said the sage Epicharnms many 
centuries ago, and the truth of this admonition has been verified through 
all the ages down to the present time. Certain laws of business are as 
immutable as are the principles of nature. Never can success be attained 
wi.hout continuous and earnest effort on the part of some one. and the 
only success of which man has reason to be proud is that which he himself 
iiv.ins. In this regard Mr. Porter has an enviable record. Starting out in 
lite on his own account he has put his dependence upon the substantial 
• lualities of enterprise, unflagging perseverance and indefatigable industry, 
and as a result he is now numbered among the prosperous and pi'omineut 
farmers of Woodson county, where he has made his home since 1867. 

A native of the Empire state. Mr. Porter was born in ^lonroc county, 
near Rochester, April 24, 1847. His father, Augustus Porter, was born 
in New York in 1815. and his brother. Gilbert Porter, is still living in that 



AVOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. '6';!,^ 

:!>1atL". Tlu' toriner iiiarrictl Cynthia llimliiiau, and unto tlieni were born 
throe ehiklren : Harriet, wife of Theodoiv Brown, of Morton county. Kan- 
sas: Henry. dee<'a'etl. and Stephen. The father was a stalwart Hepubiioan 
and was serving as trustee of Eminence township, Woodson county, at the 
time of lii.s death, which occuri'ed in December. 1873. His wife, long 
surviving him passed away in ISDO, at the venerable age of eighty years. 
They had gradnall.y moved westward, living in several states before taking 
u|) their abode in, Kansas, where they were soon recognized as people of 
sterling worth and of the highest re;peetability. 

In leaving the state of his nativity, Stephen E. I^orter accompanied 
his parents' on their removal to La Grangv county, Iniliana. and was after- 
ward a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, for fivt' years. He then went 
to Iowa with the family and from AVapnello county, that state came to 
Kansas. He had attended school iti the various eonnnunities in which he 
had resided and had bten trained to the practical work of the farm. On 
reaching Woodson county in 1867. he first located on section twenty-two. 
township twenty-six, range sixteen, from which place he came to his present 
home— tlie north half of the northeast qiuirter of section eighteen. This 
was a tract of land claimed by the railroad company, whose title he con- 
tested and von his case, but he afterward lost in an appeal to the general 
jj-nd office. Li early life he began dealing in stock and has considerable 
prominence as a stock dealer, his bu.siness in that line being quite extv'n- 
sive. 

In Douglas caunty. Kansas, November (i, 18."i8. Mr. Porter was united 
ii marriage to Miss Alma Fearer, a daughter of David and Sarah (C(.ff- 
nian) Fearer, the former born in Maryland, in 1829. while the latter was 
born near Hagerstown, in Washington county, that state, in 1881. Their 
marriage occurred in Ogle C(Hinty. Illinois, and their children were: 
Alma, who was born January 12. 1851: John, who died in childhood: 
IMary, who is living in Oklahoma, and is the widow of Tillman Elam and 
i\lartha. wife of Frank Van Trice, of Douglas county, Kansas. The 
father was killed by bushwaekers at Independence, Missouri, in 1862. and 
the mother afterward became the wife of F. H. Baker, who did in Sumner 
ccunt.y, Kansas, in 1892. Their children were: Charles, of Blackwdl, 
tjklahonui ; Era^-tus. of Wellington. Kansas, and James, who died at the 
age of twenty-one. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Porter has been blessed with three 
children: Bertha, wife of Arthur Evans, a resident of Victor, Colorado: 
Ollie, wife of James Clark, of Tulare. California, and Niel. who married 
(>ra Smith and is living in Rose. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have spent their 
entire married life in Woodson county and through the passing years the 
circle of their friends has been constantl.v enlarged. In his political views 
Mr. Porter is a Republican manifesting a deep a!id active interest in the 
success of the part.v. He has served as delegate to county and other eon- 
vention.s and aided in nominating the successful ticket of 1900. He has 



64!:) rf isTorV of allejJ' ANir 

scivt'il liis township as tieasurer, and to those who are aciiuaintetl with' 
his upright caivcr it is in- l'-'^^ to ■^i'v tliat his dutifs were most faithfully 
discharged. 



JA.MES DUTKO. 

Anumg the setleis of Woodsou county whose residence spans a period' 
lif thirty years within lier borders is the gentleman whose name introduces 
tliis personal sketch. April 1, 1871, l.e entered the county and the same 
spring took a claim in Liberty township. Of tiiis he made a farm 
and upoti it he residid till his removal to the county seat to enter upon 
the discliarge of his duties as a county otifieial. 

Februaiy 3, 1842. Judge Uutro was born in ^luskingum county, 
Ohio. His antecedents were of the first settlers of that county, his paternal 
grandfather having gone there at seven years of age. The latter, Ueorge 
Dutro, was born in the state of Pennsylvania in 1793, gi-ew up on the 
Muskingum river and passed his life a farmer. His family of seven sons 
\'ere; David, d'eorge. Samuel. John. lOlmer, Martin and James; the .second 
in the list being the father of our subject. 

George Dutro, who passed many of the active years of his upright 
life in Woodson county and was therefore Avell known, was born in the year 
1820. and died Februaiy 28. 189!). In 1845 he left his native heathand 
emigrated to Bureau county. Illinois. He had been reared to the pur- 
suits of agricTdtiue and to those he devoted himself in the new western 
state. AVhen the Civil war came on he enlisted in September 1802 in com- 
pany C. Sixty-six Illinois volunteers. His regiment formed a part of the 
Sixteenth corps, army of the Tennessee. His rervice covered the period 
from liis enlistment to the end of hostilities when he was mustered out and 
letnrned to civil pursuits. In 1869 he left Burei\u county. Illinois, came 
to Warrensburg. Jlissouri, and remained there till early in 1871 when he 
I'ansferred his interests to Woodson county and to a farm in Liberty 
township. 

rhe mother of Judge Dutro was Elizabeth Nefl' who died in Wood- 
son county in 187.'). Her other children are: Sarah, wife of W. F. 
i^larple; Fraid\. of Adair county. Iowa, and an ex-soldier of the Rebellion; 
Elmer, of Leadville, Colorado; Charles, of Canon City, Colorado; Susan, 
who married Enoch Neweomb. of Garden City, Kansas ; Mary P., of Amer- 
ican Falls. Idaho, and Elizabeth, widow of Thos. H. Lambnrn. of Wood- 
-son county. 

Judge James Dutro was reared and educated in Bureau county Illi- 
nois. His education was of the intermediate or common school sort. When 
the Rebellion broke out he entered company C, Sixty-six Illinois volunteer 
infantry. Col. Burge's "Western Sharpshooters." He served his full en- 
listment of three years and was at home on a recruiting expedition when 



-v\ 0()!.)SON CdONTlES, KANSAS. 6'4T 

-iiis time expired. From the date of his discharge till he left Illinois Mr. 
-l>utro's business iu the main was farming. He was elected tax collector in 
•Bureau county and served one year. In 1870 he left, started on his west- 
\'ard tri]) to Kansas. He |)aused on his journey in Missouri and entered 
Ihe county of Wood.'on the spring following as befoi'e related. 

Judge Dutro has been more or less mixed up with the politics of Wood- 
son county for many yeare. His sympathy and affection have always been 
wi*h the dominant or Republican party and bis counsels have had their 
weight and influence in determining the policy and management of local 
campaigns. In 1884 be was appointed a countj^ commissioner to fill a 
vacancy and Sheritf Keck made him his deputy in the office during his 
official term. In 1895 he was elec^"ed probate judge and in 1897 was re- 
elected to the position. In 1899 he was chosen a justice of the peace of 
Center township and in 1901 was again elected to the same office. In 
-'^.inuary, 1899 he was appointed by Gov. Stanley a member of the Board of 
Managers of the State Soldiers' Home and was reappointed to the same 
board in 1901. 

Jiidge Dutro was inai'ried Pebi-uai-y 14, 1864, in Bureau county. 
Illinois, to Phebe !~^. Brown, a daughter of Nathan Brown one of the 
iiioneers of that county. Four children have been borii to Mr. and Mrs. 
T)utro, viz: Otis W. ; Arthur L. ; Paidine D., wife of Carlos B. Randall, 
of Amei'ican Falls. Idaho, and IMary Fjdilh, who is Mrs. Jevse Cauiac. of 
\ates Centei'. 

•Judge Dutro is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Red Man and a 
Past Commander of Woodson Po.st 185, C. A. R. 



SAMUEL J. COPE. 

The life record of Mr. Cope demonstrates that Kansas has opportuni- 
ties for the man of energy and determination, for all that he possesses 
lias been gained through an active and honorable business career in tbis 
slate. He is now successfully farming in Woodson county, his home be- 
lt g in Noith township. He was born in Clarion county. Pennsylvania, 
lanuary 31, 1846, a son of Jeremiah and Anna (Graff) Cope, both 
imtives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Philadelphia and 
became a cabinet maker by trade, following that pursuit for many years 
in order to provide for his wife and children — thirteen in number. He died 
in Pennsylvania in 1896, when about seventy years of age, and his wife 
passed away in 1878, when she had completed half a century. 

Under the dii-cction of his father Sanniel J. Cope learned the eabinet- 
i:iaker's trade and later he also mastered the business of carpentering, fol- 
lowing his dual occupation for about twenty-five years. He spent several 
years in the building business in Oil Cit.v, Pennsylvania. In 1871 he was 
I'tiited in marriage to Miss Su.san Wilcox, a native of that state, and after 



642 HISTORY OF Ai.l.F.S Afn:> 

five years' rtsidenco theie they cDiu'liuU'it that in order to get a home 
of their own they would have to ito wliere land was eheaper. Therefore in 
1876 they eanie to Kan' as se'tling in Woodson eoiinty, where Mr. Cojje- 
lented a fai'ui for a year after which he purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of raw ])rairie about eijrht miles northwest of Yates Center. 
Here he now resides and to-day he has a beautiful place of two hundred 
and forty acres, all well improved although not a furrow had been turned 
or an improveuieni made when he took posse>siou. His cabin home has 
been replaced i)y a good residetu-o. a barn has been built and other modern 
accessories have been added. AVhen they first came to the county Mr. Cope 
could stand in the cai)in door im<l see tie deer cross bai-kwnrd and for- 
ward over his land. 

In 1879 Mr. Cope concluded to try the mining country and went to 
(\)lorado, sjiending nine years in the wilds and amontr the blood thirsty 
fndians of the divide of the Rocky juountains, devoting part of the time 
10 I'liniiig. while during the remain<ler of the jieriod he worked at ear- 
])cntering. Tie also spent five years in the operation of a sawmill which 
he had purchased, but not securing gold as readily as he had anticipated 
V hen he wi ut to the mountains he returned to his farm and began iis 
improvement, with the result that he now has one of tlw most desirable 
jnoperties in his township. Tie is a lover of fine horses and only keeps 
I lie best grades, which may also be said of his cattle and other stock. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cope has been blessed with eight children, 
yet living, namely: Anna, the wife of Asa Miller; Alice, wife of Ernest 
Harris; Jennie, who nmrried Charles Maclaskey; Foretta. wife of Charles 
Newman : Judge and Clint and Lottie at home with their parents. In his 
political affiliations Mr. Cope is a Populist and fraternally he is an Odd 
Fellow. On entering upon his business career he borrowed the money 
with which to luirchase liis tools. S\u-h a condition is in strong contrast to 
his financial standing to-day ami yet his i)i'esent enviable position is not 
the result of iiduM-itance or f(U-tunate envinmmeut but lins been won 
t'n-ongh earnest, honest persistent eifort. 



(iF,OK(iE \X. LEE. M. D. 

From no professional man do we expect or exact so many of the 
cardinal virtues as from the physician. If the clergyman is austere we 
imagine that his miiul is absorbed with the contemplation of things be- 
yond our ken: if «)ur lawyer is brusque and crabbed, it is the mark if 
gtnins: but in the physician we expect not only superior mentality atd 
comprehensive knowledge but sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. Lte 
ir large measure meets all of the: e requirements and is regarded by macy 
as an ideal physician. Tie is indeed the loved family doctor in many a 



WOObSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 643 

bmist'liold imil llic viiliu' (W his si'rviee to the coninmnity ciiiuiot be ovtr- 
l^'^timatp(l. 

The doctor was horn at Markham, Illinois, December 4, 1867, a son of 
Thomas and Martha (Hall) Lee, natives of Illinois and still residents of 
Markham. Tliey had nine children of whom our subject is the fifth in ord<H' 
nf })irt]i. He attended the district schools in his youth and was rcan d 
upon tlie home farm, working; in the iields from the time of early spring 
plowing until crops were garnered in the late auttimn. In the winter he 
pursued his education and when he was prepared to take up the higher 
branches of learning 'he entered the college at Jacksonville. When his 
literary course was completed he began the study of medicine under the 
direction of Dr. T. M. Cullimoro. of Jacksonville, and in 1892 he was 
giaduated in the Mai'ion Sims Medical College in St. Louis, Missouri. 
He afterward continued his studies in tlie College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, at Keokuk, Towa. and comjjleted a course in that school with the 
graduating class of 1894. 

In Meredosia, Illinois, Dr. Lee began practice but after a year came 
I0 Kansas, locating in Yates Center in 189.5. Soon, however, he came 
to Toronto, where he has since I'eniained. He is local surgeon for the A. 
T. & S. P. ]i. R. Co.. having served the company in that capacity for about 
'hree years. His knowledge of the science of medicine, combined with a 
pleasing personality inspii'es a feeling of confidence and his patients un- 
if'oi'mly praise his gentleness as well as his skill, which is the secret of the 
large patronage which he has secured since coming to Toronto. 

On the Ifith of September, 1897,, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. 
Lee and Miss Minnie Kaltenbach, a most estimable young lady of Toronto. 
'i'hey now have a wide acquaintance in the city where they reside and Ihe 
h' spitality of the best homes is cordially extended them. The doctor is yet 
n young man. ambitious and energetic, and a successful career the future 
Undoubtedly holds for him. 



JOHN A. SEATON. 

For a comparatively brief pei'iod -John A. Seaton has resided in Wood- 
son county, but already he has formed a wide acquaintance and won the 
regard of the best people of the connnunity. His life has been one of 
I'.arked activity in which he has faithfully performed public service and 
successfully carried on business enterprises. He is now extensively en- 
gaged in farming and is the ownei- of a large and valuable tract of land in 
Hverett township. 

Mr. Seaton was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 
1840, and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children, of 
whom six ai'c yet living. The father, James M. Seaton,. was also a native 
of (Irein county, and in eai-ly manhood married Miss Sarah Roberts, of 



644 HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND 

Washington county. Pennsylvania. He made fanning his life oeeiipation. 
;ind in 1849 eniigrated westward, first taking up his abode in Des Moines 
county Iowa. His death occurred in Newton, Jasper county. Iowa, when 
he was eigiity-five years of age. and his wife pasted away -some time prev- 
ifus. at tho age of seventy-three. 

When a lad of nine years John A. Seaton accompanied his parents on 
their removal to the Ilawkeye state and upon the home farm he was 
icareil, receiving practical training in the work of the fields and the care 
oi' the stock. In the connnon schools of the neighborhood he obtained 
his education and to his father he gave the benefit of his services until he 
attained his ma.iority. About the time he reached man's estate the Civil 
war was inaugiirated and the country was calling for aid to preserve the 
I iiion. lu October. IStU. he fulisted among the boys in blue of company B. 
Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry for a term of three yeai-s and was soon 
at the front, fighting the battles of the country. He participated in the 
ei.'gagements at Shiloh. Corinth. luka and the battles and skirmishes of the 
campaign of lSli"2. and at the battle of Kaymond. ^lissis-sippi. he lost his 
leg on the 12th of May. 1S68. and 12 days later he was capt^^red and re- 
maind in captivit.v for S weeks, although paroled on day of capture. 
His injury, however, was so great that he could not he moved. On the oth 
of October. ISfi-"!. on accoiuit of the loss of his limb, he was honorably ilis- 
cbarged and returned to his home. 

In the following spring Mr. Seaton was married and in the fall of that 
year he was nominated and elected to the ottice of county clerk by the Re- 
publican party. By re-election he was continued in the position for four 
yt-ai-s. and in the spring of 18ti4 he was given other otfieial duties, beins: 
appointed by the governor to enroll the county militia. On his retire- 
ment from office he purchased an interest in the Townsend harness bnsi- 
Tiescs and engaged in the harness business under the firm name of Town- 
send & Seaton. Six months later he sold his interest in the store and re- 
nioved to a farm near Newton on which he lived for three months— sold 
this and moved to Kellogg. Iowa, where he was engaged in the insurance 
and real estate and milling business for a number of years. He was ap- 
pionted special agent for the Americiin Fire Insurance Co. of Chicago, and 
was its traveling representative for 1:? years. On the expiration of that 
period he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising and also en- 
gaged in shijijiing stock. In 18St> he became the special agent >if thi- 
Northwestern Live Stock Insurance Co. of Des Moines. Iowa, for south- 
v.estern Iowa, and held that position nearly 8 years, doins a very large busi- 
ness for his company. In 1897 he engaged again in business with his old 
friend and former partner. Col N. Townsend in the town of Newton in real 
estate loans and insurance. In 1898 he disposed of his pos.session in Iowa 
and came to Woodson county. Kansas, arriving in the month of Ma.v. Here 
they purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land near Vernon and 
have developed one among the best farms of the county, have erected a 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 645 

large residence, built iu modern architectural style, and have also built a 
lav^e barn. Their residence is the most attractive home in the northern 
l)art of the county and stands as a monument to their business life. Since 
ccming to Kansas .Mr. Seaton has given his entire time and attention to 
larming- and stock-raising and intends to make a specialty of handling 
registered shorthorn cattle and registered Poland China hogs under the 
firm name of Jno. A. Seaton & Sons. They also put up and ship large 
■ luantities of ha.y each year. 

l)n the 14th of April. 1864. was celebrated the mari'iage of John A. 
s<'aton and Elma Bevan. for a number of yeai-s one of tlic leading teachers 
.)f Jasper county, Towa. She was a daughter of Stacy and Jane Bevan, 
\'ho came to Iowa in 1855. Mrs. Seaton is a most estimable lady and pie- 
.<ides with gracious and charming hospitality ovei- their home. They be- 
came the parents of te nehildren, but lost three in infancy. The living 
are: James E., at home: Elvin R.. an attorney at law in Hubbard; Iowa; 
( harles D., who is engaged in teaching school in Woodson county; Sarah, 
wife of R. W. Nesmith, of Neosho Palls; K. K., A. (i. and :\[ary E., all 
with their parents. 

Mr. Seaton has always been a staunch Republican, iu sympathy with 
the pai-ty that stands for the protection of American liberties, rights 
and industries aiul upholds the tlag wherever it is planted. With the 
savings of his army life he entered upon his business career and by 
judicious investment and capable management he has increased his capital 
as the years have gone by aintil his possessions now rank him among the 
men of affluence iu his adopted county, but the fact that he has won suc- 
cess is not all that gains him respect for his life has ever been upright and 
hiuiorable. his public duties faithfully performed and the obligations of 
])rivate life honorably met. 



FREDERICK H. BAYER. 

FREDEiUCK H. BAYER, a resident of Center township. Woodson 
cc.utlty, is a native of New York city, his birth having there occurred on 
the 21.st of April, 18t)8. His father. John H. Bayer, is one of the pros- 
perous men of Woodson county, having accumulated much real estate and 
other property, which indicates that his career has been a busy and use- 
ful one. 

Frederick II. Bayer is the eldest of four children, and has practically 
spent his entire life in Woodson county. He was educated in the country 
schools, and remained at home until twenty-five years of age. He worked 
in the fields under the hot summer sun and assisted in the improvement 
of the farm throughout the period of his minority. On the 19th of Octo- 
lier. 1887. IVIr. Bayer was Tinited in marriage to Miss Mary E. Seitz. a 
(laughter of Jacob Seitz. who came to the United States from Prussia and 



646 HISTORV OF ALLEN AND 

located in Wdodsoii county. Kansas, before the Civil war. When the 
countrv became involved in hostilities he joined the army and aided in uj)- 
l.oldinsr tl:e Fnion. He died in \STi. at the aire of forty years, leaving the 
i'ollowinit children: INIrs. Bayer. William. Annie and one now deceased. 
Mrs. Seitz afterward married Ferdinand 8chade and unto them were born 
four children: Ferdinand, Henry, August and John. Tlie niarriasre of 
Mr. and Mrs. Bayer has been blessed with six children, namely: Dora. 
John, Henry, Charles. Edgar and Clarence. 

Mr. Bayer purchased one hundred and si.xty acres of land in AVest 
Center township, a tract of unimproved prairie. He at once began its 
cultivation and has wrought a great transformation in its appearance. He 
has also added to his reall.v holdings nntil his landed possessions now 
aggregate si.\ hnudrtd and forty acres of land in addition to the first pur- 
chase. The raising of hay claims nmch of his time, and the sales of the 
prodnet materially increase his financial resources. Mr. Bayer votes with 
the Republican party, thus giving evidence of his political belief, and 
socially he is connected with Center Lodge, K. P.. being an exemplary 
member of the organization. 



SA]\nTEL H. WRIGHT. 

Although Sanuu'l H. Wright was a I'esident of Kansas but a bi'ief 
period, he was rich in the qualities which in every land and every clime 
conmiand respect and confidence and was, therefore, not long in winning 
the high regard of his fellow townsmen, so that his death came as a loss to 
the entire conununit.v. He was earnest and zealous in his .support of 
every measure which he believed would prove of public benefit, and his 
lile, ever honorable and upright, was an incentive for good to the young, 
an inspiration to his associates and people of mature years. 

Mr. Wright was a native of the state of New York, boru in Ontario 
county on the 9th of December, 1817. His father, Samuel AV right, sr., was 
born 17f)4 in Columbia count.v, N. Y., and was a descendant of the colonial 
Wrights who came to America to establish homes jn-ior to the war of the 
Revolution, and who, throughout the early history of our country took an 
active part in its develpment. In the county of his nativity the sub- 
ject of this review was reared, there remaining until 183G, when he went 
ti' LaGrange eo\inty, Indiana, where he made his home until 1855. This 
latter year he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where he maintained his 
residence till 1891, this year disposing of his property interests and com- 
ii;g to Kansas and settling in Woodson county. 

Throughout his entire business career Mr. Wright was identified 
with agricultural pursuits and while iu Iowa he was also connected with 
the Jasper County bank, at Colfax, and was interested in the creamery 
tliere. He was considered one of the best judges of horses and cattle in 



"%VOOlJ.SON COlfNTIKS, KANSAS. f>j, 

Vlic- «tak- hikI (li.l inuHi lo iin,)r(,ve the ixnide' of sud, stock in that state 
lov nuietwii vi'mis he wiis ii diivetor aiui th.- i)iesi(l,.|ii „J- the Ja.sne'r 
(omity AKnciilliiral Socitty and mad* it a payiiifz' instil n1 in,,. On cninin" 
to Woodson oounty he pui'e}ia.«ed a farm of four hiuidivd acres on the 
v.-est line of CVntcr townshij) to tlie supervision of whicl, he (hn-oted his ,v 
Riainmg ytars. 

ri;„ /•''"■ ^l\"^^ '?'•' ^";i^«' ™'"'"*^'^- ^^^' ^"'""^ '''""^'^"^'^ Elizabeth Tone, who 
died in 1844 and in 1858 fe married Sarah Newhou.se. a dau-hter of 

%" l'89« "'iT; " "'^'''' Y'''"i"''"'- ^f>-«- WriKht was horn September 
f^„'^-?■ '''"'^ "^ '"''■ P';''«>'« '^'■'1'1'vn two survive-Mrs. Marv Cohlren. 
4; '^opp^^a- Kansas, and Milton Newliouse, of Lake Charles. La. To Mr and 
Mrs \V right were born the following children, viz: Mary wife of s' W 
Rayless. of Lake Charles. Loui.^iana : S. Edward, of Jasper county, ^.wa ! 
Ella, of Lake ( harles La., who married Harry Fullington, and Sedg^vick 
M.. born T)eceml,er 8, 1868. The last named M'as married August 25 1890 
lo l^-hna B. Curl and has two children— Gordon C. and Beatrice M ' 

Tt vras on the 2M of July. 1890. that Samuel Vn^ight was called to 
us tinal res . He was then in his eighty second year. Death thus brought 
t. a e ose a long, useful and honorable career. His character was above re- 
proach and his word was as "good as his contract." In early life he 
Lecame a memlier of the Presbyterian church, and the principles of 
thn.stianity ever penniated his relations with his fellow men. He con 
tributed liberally to religious work, nor did he neglect his duties of citizen- 
ship but. loyally supported tho.^ie public measnn s which he lielieved would 
he: t promote the welfare of the nation. He kept well informed on political 
i.ssnes and was at one time a candidate on the Greenback ticket for con- 
gress, but later became a Republican. He thok a commendable pride in his 
home, desii'ing that everything around him should be in good order fie 
was an exemplary citizen, a reliable and progressive business man, a 
taithtui triend and a loving and considerate husband and father Such a 
record IS l)etter 1har, cMintless wealth. 



CHARLES TT. RATJERSPELD. 

t uvnll/:^''''' Av '"'i'"'"''''^ ^'"'"' "^^'"' ^^""^^'■'''' '•>"^' ^"^'^y ''"•'■'^^ in T-ielmont 
t.,unsl,ip \Aoodson county, ,s now the property of Mr Bauersfeld 

'omin"to%" -T'-'-l-tirely through his oL Jell -directed efforts snt^ 

i el).u.„> . Ih.H and is a son of a shepherd. F,-ederick Bauersfeld, who 
cr.me with his^son to Ihe TTnited States and died in 188L at the a-e of ;ixtv 
vZlT'-^- V' 'T ^"r, ""'"•'■i'^^1- '"■« fi-'st miion being witl, Hennah 
Rumpf, by whom be had four children: Wilhelmina. wife of Hermann 
Kemmerer. of Missouri; Johanna, wife of Frederick Becker, of Germany 
Ludowina, wife of Cliarles Lieberman. of Cass county, Mi.ssouri For his 



rfis'foRV Off vllkn aSTi 

sieoud wife the father chose Mina Molleuhour, a resident of Woodsoa 
e. unty. Their chiloren aro: Wilhelniina, wife of Charles Weide; 
Charles TI., of this review: (huither, of Wooilson county: Theresa wife of 
VYilliani V.'eitie, and Aujnist. who is iivinii in Yates Center. 

Cl'arle H. Bauersfeld was reaied and educated in his native land 
And there reniainid until twenty-four years of asie. He also learned the 
weaver's trade theie but did not follow it after his arrival in this country. 
In 1:81 l;e arrived in Womlson county and locateil in North township, 
where he resided for six years after which he spent nine years on an- 
other farm. On the expiration of tlat (leriod he wt-nt to Yates Center, 
where he engajied in tiie niillin>r business for a year and a half. In 1S97 
he took up his abode upon his present farm on section thirty-five, town- 
ship twenty-five, rauiie four'een. and is now devotinsr his energies to the 
operation of his farm of two hundred and forty acres, whicli is now well 
improved, beintr supplied with modern acccs ories. irood buildings and the- 
best ciiuipn-ents for makiiiii of farm work a success. 

Mr. Baiiersfehl was united in niarriaiic to Miss Kva l^wit7.er. who was 
born in 18('4. and is a dausrhter of TIenry Switzer. of Cot¥ey county. Kan- 
;as. but foruicrly a resident of Pennsylvania. Four children srrace the 
union of ^Ir. and Mrs. Bauersfeld : Minnie. Harry. Leonard and Ollie. 
The parents enjoy the warm resrard of many friends in this part of the 
ccun'y and are widely known. In the i-,arly days of his residence in this 
f( \nitry Mr. Baiiersfeld was a Keinihlican but afterward became a Popu- 
bst durinir the reform movement in Kan.'-as. In this country where o|>- 
portunity is not hampered by caste or class and where ability is recosrnized 
and labor brinirs reward, he has steadily advanced until he is now numbered 
anionsr the prosperous and projrressive asrrioulturlsts of his adopted eoTinty, 



M.VLK.X P.\RRISH. 

.M.\LI",.\ I'.VK'h'ISH. whv) i* cnsraiicd in farnnii;.: m Center township. 
Woodson county, has been a resident of this locality for a quarter of a 
century and his entire litV has been passed in the Mississippi valley, his 
birth iiavimr occurred in Scott county. Illinois, on the 7th of January. 
1840. His father. Henry Parrish removed to that state about 1830 from 
Tennis-see. his home havinar previously been near Nashville, where he was 
born about 1811. He carried on asricultnral pursuits throughout his 
business career and died in 184ti. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Arniinta Bennett, anil after the death of her first husband she became 
the wife of John Hedshaw. By her first union she had three children, but 
Henry and Nancy, the eldest and the yonnarest. died in Scott county. Illi- 
nois, leavinir (Hir subject the only survivor. The mother passed away in 
Woodson county in 189(i. at the asre of seventy-seven years, and her second 
iMisband died in the same comity in 1899. 



'\v'aoi:)S>aN coiDN'riEs, kansas. 649 

Tlie boyhood days of our sub.ji'i't weri' i'rauuht witli toil jierforiued 
viiiuler the direction of a ste])t'ather who was wry cxaetiiiii- in his re- 
mands, but aftiM- actiuiring a fair Knglish education in tlie public schools 
-and attaining his majority. ^Ir. Parrish left home and began the battle of 
life unaided. His possesrions consisted of a cow and a team of horses 
which he had borrowed and which he eontimied to use until he was able to 
purcluue a team of his own. He has always carried on aiiricnltural pur- 
suits and is an eiiei'iretic farmer. As a companion and helpmate on the 
.iourney of life he chose INliss Harriet Harden, a dausihter of Colby 
?darden. a Canadian, who settled in Illinois at an early day and married 
1 iicy Moore, a native of Vermont. The children of ilr. and ]\Irs. IMardeii 
were: Ann Cumbv. of Scott county, Illinois; Sarah, the wife of Geora;e 
{'unningham. of the same county: James, of Pope. Arkansas: Ct?orge. of 
Jacksonville. 111., and Mrs. Parish. The marriage of our subject and his 
■wife was celebrated on the 1st of January. 1862. and was bles.'-ed with fottr 
children: Mary E. Reed, of (Jimnison. Colorado, and Dora, wife of 
James Dawson, of Springdale. Washington: Harriet F.. wife of Frank 
Wagner, of lola. Kansas, and' L. B.. who is with his father. 

Ill health was the immediate occasion of Mr. Parrish becoming a resi- 
dent of Kansas. He visited the state on n prospecting tour, and being 
pleased with Woodson county and its prospects he located on section 
twenty, townshiji twenty-tive. range sixteen. He sold his property in 
Illinois, puiehased this tract and has since been identified with the farm- 
ing interests of Woodson county, carrying on his work in an energetic 
manner that finds its reward in the gratifying success which has crowned 
liis consecutive endeavors. For twent.v-five ,^^?ars he has been an exemplary 
Uicmber of the Masonic fraternity and his son has taken the Royal Arch 
degrees. Since castiiiir liis first pivsidentiiil vote for Abraliam Lincoln in 
1864 he has never failed to snpnort the leading candidates of the Republi- 
can party with the exception of the year 1884. He is a citizeii of worth, 
giving a loyal siipport to measures of public benefit and the integrity and 
lidelity of his olmac'er hav(> made him a man whom to know is to respect 
Tind honor. 



WENZEL SIEKA. 

A resident of Woodson county for twenty-one years. Wenzel Sieka 
^v'as for some time connected with its agi'icultural interests, but is now 
a factor in conuiiercial circlies in Pii|ua. where he is conducting a hard- 
ware business. He was born in Bohemia, near the city of Prague. October 6. 
18:i0. a son of Martin and Dorothy Sieka. The father was a farmer by 
■occupation and in the fall of 18.51 left his native land for the New World, 
sirrivinu' at New Orleans, on the oth of January, lSo2. Making his 
v.-ay u]i the Mississippi river, he located in St. Clair county Illinois, 



650 HTsl-ORY OJ' ALLliS' aSTD 

where \w made his luiiiie uuti) 1S65, wlit?n he went to Clinton countJv 
that state. After fifteen years there passed, he came to Kansas in 1880,. 
spendinsr his remaining days in the Sunflower state, his death occvirring" 
ill Fvciiia in 18'J4. when he had attained the advanced age of eighty-two 
years. His wife passed away in 1873. Their children were: Barbara, 
wife oi Samuel Just, of Clinton county, Illinois; Annie, wife of Henry 
Albes, of Illinois: ilrs. Mary (ioss. of Illinois, now deceased; Blazius, and 
\Venzel. 

The last named «as only a year old when brought by his parents to 
the iTnited States and in Illinois he was reared upon the home farm, early 
gaining a practical knowledge of the work of fields and meadows. His 
school privileges were those afforded bj' the ccnintry schools of the neigh- 
borhood. After putting aside his text books he gave his attention en- 
tirely to farm woik, following that pursuit in the Prairie state until 1880' 
i^hen I;e eanic to Woodson county. Kansas, locating upon a farm in Owl 
Creek township. He tilled the fields and improved the place for a num- 
ber of years and then came to Piipia. where he has .■^ince conducted a hard- 
ware store. He has a well appointed establishment and his business 
methods are such as to make those who once patronize him his con- 
stant customers. He is also still interested in farming lands in Woodson 
find Allen counties, and his property investments bring to him a good 
income. 

On the 20th of May. 1873, in Clinton county, Illinois, occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Sieka and ^li.'-s Slary E. Fahrmann. a native of Germany, 
and unto them have been born nine children, namely: John, who mar- 
ried Tracy Freschenmej'er and is now engaged in farming in Allen 
county. Kansas: Henry, of Woodson county: Elizabeth, wife of John Col- 
li ns. of Woodson county: Btn.i'amin. Frank. August. Kate, Frances and 
Teresa, who aie still under the parental roof. ^Ir. Sieka. like his father, 
is a supporter of Democratic principles, but has never been an active 
politician. His business affairs have claimed his attention, and earnest 
labor has been the key which has opened to him the portals of success. He 
i< a reliable and substantial citizen, and the e\idence of his industrious 
Vfa is seen iii his goixl business and his pleasant home. 



CHARLES F. PRIBBERKOW. 

Cil.VKLES F. PRIBBERNOW is a representative of a well known 
and prominent family of Southeastern Kansas and is actively identified 
with farming and stock raising interests in this portion of the state. He 
was born in Pru.ssia. February 13. 1853. a son of Christian and Sophia 
' Busz) Pribbernow, also natives of the same country, in whose family were 
seven children, namely: William: August, wife of William Stange; 
Charles F. : Helena, of Chetopa .Kansas, the wife of John Ritter; Amelia, 



WOODSON OOUNTlEl), KANSAS. 65 I 

V'ife of Fred Hnssmau, of Coffey covuity, Kansas; Bertha, wife of Wil- 
liam Lassman, of Humboldt, Kansas, and Hulda, wife of Martin Hen- 
vichs, of Hnniboldt, this state. 

Our subject spent the first fourteen years of his life in the fatherland 
and acquired his education in its public schools. In 18(57 his parents, 
with their children, came to the United States, sailing from Bremen to 
New York, where they landed in due time. Prom the east they made 
tl'.eir way to Lawrence, Kansas, and thence by wagon to Woodson county. 
They were following in the path of (.'otlieb Hartwig, who had formerly 
lived in the neighbor hood of the Pribbernows in Prussia and had preceded 
them on their emigration to the New World. On reaching their destina- 
ton the father purchased the farm upon which the family yet- reside and 
there he suceessfidly carried on agricultural pursuits until his life's labors 
were needed in death, in 1889, when he was seventy-six years of age. His 
wife preceded him for a few years passing away in 187G. Mr. Pribber- 
now of this review has always remained upon the old homestead, assisting 
in the work of the farm, and is a pi-actical. progressive agriculturist. The 
family own altogether fourteen hundred acres of valuable laud and i.n 
ihe pastures have hundreds of head of cattle, hor.ses and hogs. The 
Pribbernow farm is one of the best in the county, improved with all modern 
accessories, good building, well kept fences and machinery, while the 
fields yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed 
upon them. 

On the 5th of -June, 1884. Mr. Pribbernow was united in marriage to 
Mi.ss Mary, daughter of Charles Ostermeier, who was one of the pioneers 
of Wood.son county, where he located in 1859. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Catherine Stange and they had two children. The marriage of 
'Sir. and Mrs. Pribbernow has been blessed Avith five children: William, 
.Augusta, Henry, Charles and Louisa, and the family circle yet remains 
unbroken. Our sub.iect has always been a Republican in his political af- 
filiations, follow'ing in the footsteps of his honored father, who in early 
life was a Democrat, but at the inception of the Republican party joined 
its ranks. For fifteen years he has served as a member of the school 
board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He has been 
the nominee for township treasurer and for county commissioner and 
lacked only six votes of being elected to the latter office, although he was 
opposed by a fusion ticket. The large vote which he polled indicated his 
personal popularity among his friends and neighbors and the confidence 
they reposed in him. He belongs to a family prominent and honored and 
bears worthilv the untaiiiished name. 



HENRY S. TRUEBLOOD. 

HENRY S. TRUEBLOOD is certainly deserving of mention among 
the representative citizens of Woodson county, for he is recognized as one 



652 HISTORY OI" AI.r.EX AND 

oF the Ic.Hliiii;' iiicii in llu- Keimhliean party. lie has been identified 
v.itli the Ki-iranization since attainin": his majority, has been true to its 
priiH'iph's. has labored faithfully to promote its interests, and his election 
to offices of public trust have been but a fitting recognition of his 
sterling worth and high standing. A close student of the principles on 
which the pai-ty is founded, thoroiighly conversant with the questions and 
i.'-sues of the day. he gives his supjiort to Kepublieauism becau.se he be- 
lieves firmly that the adoption of its platform will be most conducive to 
I)ub]ic good. While he has been honored with office, fidelity to the princi- 
ples in which he believes has ever been with him before personal ag- 
giandizement. and his loyalty and patriotic spirit are widely recognized. 

The life record of Mr. Trutblood began on the 9th of December. 
1838. his birthplace being in (Jreene county, Indiana, but for many 
years lie was a resident of Daviess county, that state. His paternal grand- 
father. Mark True blood, was one of the old time substantial citizens, a 
thrifty pioneer farmer who aided in making habitable the wild districts 
of the IToosicr state. He there served as .justice of the peace in territorial 
days and at all times he commanded the respect and confidence of his fel- 
low men by his genuine worth of character. 

His son, Jesse Trueblood. the father of our subject, was born in In- 
diana, in 1814, when it was still under the territorial form of government, 
and there gave his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout a long, 
useful and active career. He was descended from the Quaker Whigs of 
North Carolina and possessed many of the sterling characteristics of that 
religious sect. He spent the greater part of his life in Lawrence and 
Daviess counties and died in the latter July. 1900. His wife, who 
hire the maiden name of Charlotte Scott was a daughter of Henry Scott. 
She was born in Lawrence eoutity. Indiana, and is still living in Daviess 
county, where several of her children also reside. Mr. and Mrs. True- 
blood always lived upon a farm aiul were progressive agriculturists. They 
reared their family to habits of industi-y and honesty, and their children 
do honor to an untarnished family luime. In order of birth they are as 
follows: Phebe, deceased wife of Nathaniel Chambers: Mark, of Da%ness 
county, Indiana: Henry, of this review; Richard, of Daviess county: 
iNlartha, the wife of Peter Kagle, of the same county: Almira, the wife of 
John E. Hayes: Jesse C. : James; Alice, wife of .\lbert Stuckey: Elizabeth, 
v. ife of Fred Shafer. and Sarah, now Mrs. Pritehard Smiley. All except- 
ing the subject of this sketch are residing in the vicinity of the old home- 
suad in Indiana. 

The educational advantages afforded Henry Trueblood were rather 
limited, for his mental training was received in the usual log schoolhouse 
conunon to the frontier, and therein he pursued his studies during tin- 
winter months, for his services were needed in the fields during the sum- 
mer season. In December. 1861, he was mari-ied, the lady of his choice be- 
ing Julia, the daughter of Sanford Oowau. a farmer. After his marriage 



Vv'OODSOK COUNTIES, KANSAS. 653 

I\Ir. Tnieblood followed fanning until January, 1865, when he enlisted 
ii the Union army as a member of company K, One llundred and Forty- 
third Indiana infantry under Colonel Grill, and saw ser\nce in Tennessee. 
The regiment did guard and patrol duty, and was mustered out in Nash- 
ville, October 17. 1865. 

Upon returning to his home Mr. Trueblood resumed the work of the 
i'arm and remained in his native s'ate until 1871, when he came to Wood- 
son county, arriving on the 18th of October. For some years he was 
identified with agricultural pur.'uits iu this locality, but subsequently put 
aside the labors of the farm in order to give his undivided attention to 
ihe discharge of the duties of public office entrusted to him. He served as 
tiustee of Liberty township for four years and was elected county clerk 
in the fall of 1879 for a two years' term, was re-elected in 1881 and in 
1884 he retired from office as he had entered it— with the confidence and 
good will of the entiie public. His is recognized as a master mind in poli- 
lical circles of Woodson county. He does all in his power to promote 
th.e growth and insure the .success of his party and his opinions carry 
weight in party councils and his influence is strongly felt. On resuming 
the duties of private life Mr. Trueblood became associated in business with 
A. F. Palmer aud the mercantile firm of Palmer & Trueblood now ranks 
innong the foremost in Yates Center. 

The home life of Mr. Trueblood has been very pleasant. His marriage 
ti- Miss Gowan resulted in the birth of seven children, namely: Richard 
H., who is tie editor of the Yates Center News; William H. ; Charles A.; 
Floia D. and Lillian E. : two died in infancy. The family is one of promi- 
nence in the community, numbered among the most valued citizens of 
^"ates Center. Mr. Trueblood has been a resident of Woodson county for 
tliirty years and throughout the period has been an active factor in 
))ublic affairs. His co-operation has promoted many measures of public 
woi'th and benefit and in all life's relations he has followed a course at 
(.Mi'i' honorable, oonnueudablp and worthv of emulation. 



F. W. NAYLOR. 

A farm of eight hundied acres, well improved and stocked with a 
high grade of horses and eatle, is an unmistakable evidence of a busy and 
active life. This property is in possession of E. W. Naylor. who came to 
Woodson county empty handed but with a resolute spirit that has enabled 
him to surmount difficulties, conquer obstacles and press steadily forward 
1a the goal of prosperity. He resides in North township aud his extensive 
agricultural and stock-raising interests have made him one of the leading 
farmers of the community. 

Mr. Naylor is numbered among the native sons of the Ke.ystone state, 
l:is birth having occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 12th 



654 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXP 

of April. 18r<l. His parents were George niid Barbara (Steviekl Xaylor. 
also natives of Pennsylvania, wlienee they removed to Indiana in ISiiS. lo- 
eatina: in Allen eonnty. where the father followed farming. Ilis wife died 
in that stare in 1S59, bnt the father retaineil his residence there nntil 1S91. 
V hen he came to Woodson eonnty. Kansjis. his death here wcurring in 
18!1J. when he had reached the ripe old age of seventy -six years. This 
worthy couj^le were the parents of fourteen childreii. eight of whoni aiv 
yet living: Mrs. Sarah Tiblun. Mrs. Anna Butler: George Z. : E. \V. : Mi-s. 
Lydia Hutching?: Mrs. Minerva Stewart: Mrs. Alice Muller and David. 

E. \V. Xaylor of this review was the tifth in order of birth. He ac- 
(inired a goixi education, completing his eoui>-e in a high school of his native 
county, and when a young man he engaged in teaching school in Indiana 
ior one year. In 1S73 he came to Kansas, settling in Wooilson county ten 
miles northwest of Yates Center. For four yeai-s following his arrival he 
\>as connected with the etincational interests of this locality as a teacher. 
During that time he was marritni and after his nuirriage he rented a farm 
snd tununl his attention to agricultural pui-snits. For three years ho 
ifutetl land and then with the capital which he had acquired thiMugh hi.v 
own exertions he purchased eighty acres of land, which served as the 
nucleus around which he has gatheretl his present extensive possessions. 
He to-day has eight huudreii acres constituting a valuable property, on 
which is an attractive residence, and one of the finest barns in the county, 
filleil with as line hoi-ses as can be found in the township. He handles 
ytarly about one hundretl head of cattle and an equal nun)ber of hogs and 
as he keeps only high grades of stock he is always sure of a ready and 
rennmcrative sal \ 

On the 1st of July. ISTo. Mr. Xaylor was uniteil in marriage to Miss 
M. Christina Miller, a native of Iiidiana. atul a daughter of Joseph and 
I'^lizabeth (Stines^ Miller, also of the Hoiisier state, whence they came to 
Kansas in IStiO. They settled on Turkey creek in W'oixison cotnit.v. where 
they spent their remaining days, the father passing away at the age of 
seventj'-nine years, while the mother died at the age of lifty-thre»\ He 
V as a na'ive of Darke county. Ohio, and his wife was born in Xew Jersey. 
Unto Mr. and Mi-s. Xaylor have bet>n born two childi-eu: Bessie May. a 
student in the Kansjis I'nivei-sity. and ^Yilbe^ \V.. a student in the high 
siluwl in Yatt^ Center. 

Mr. Xaylor and his family are widely and favorably known in Woixl- 
son county. His record is indeed creditable and thus he has won the 
[ulmiration and respect of his fellow towinuen. Beginning life here as a 
ttacher of a coinitry school receiving but a small sjilary, he has through 
the practice of industry, economy and capable management long since left 
the ranks of those who are daily struggling for a livelihood and stands 
among the men of affluence in the comnnniity. In his work he has been 
ably assisted by his wife, a most estimable lady whose judicious care of 
the household and the manasement of its affairs have contributed in no 



-v'OOUSON CDVjn^lfiS, KA^JSAS. 655 

?-rniall degree to his prosperity. As a citizen his worth and loyalty have 
•been manifest in several public offices. He I'as served as township 
tiustee for two terms, and at the presi^nt writing iji the spring of 1901 
hf is township tivasnrer and jnstice of the peace. Over the record of his 
[inblic career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion 
-of evil and to day he ranks among the leading, progressive and respected 
Mgricnltiirists of his adopted county 



JOHN SHEXCK. 

A reteraiT of tlie Civil war, an enterprising business man and a leading 
•citizen of Yates Ct?uter. John Shenk certainly merits representation in this 
volume among the men whose laboi-s have been of benefit to tlw county in 
the line of substantial improveiiRnit and progrers. He was born in Erie 
<'ounty, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1843, and is of German lineage. The 
Ancestors of the family came from the Fatherland to Ainerica probably in 
^colonial days. Michael Shenk. the father of our sidi.iect, was born in 
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and spent his entire life in that 
•-s'late and in Illinois. Locating on the shore of Lake Erie he cleared a tract 
-<>f land and developed a farm and throughout liis active business career he 
carried on agricultural pursuits. He married iMiss Sarah C. Carter, who 
.as born ntar London. Llngland, and is now a resident of AVill county, 
Illinois, whither the family removed in 1857. Her children are: John; 
William and Jerome, who are living in Will county: Elizabeth, t!ie wife 
>of Harvey Brown, of Oiicago Illinois: Delia, the wife of Napoleon Leslie, 
of Will county: Ida, wife of Calvin Whitson, of Pontiae Illinois, and Min- 
nie, wife of John Jilson, also of Will counts'. 

Mr. Shenck, who?e name begins this record, was a youtli of fonrtei n 
years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Pennsyl- 
vRuia to "Will county, Illinois-, where he was reared. The education 
vhich he had acquireu in the east was supplemented by study in the schools 
■of the Pi-airie state and in his youth l;e assisted in the work of his father's 
farm. He was only nineteen years of age when in 1802 he .ioined the boys 
In blue of com]iany I. One Hundredth Illinois infantry for service in the 
Civil war under Colonel Ba>-tleson. The regiment was attached to the 
Second Brigade of tbe Second T)ivisiou of the Fourth Army Corps and be- 
gr.n active service at Louisville. Kentucky, where it was equiiiped. Mr. 
Shenck participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, including 
the battles of Perryville, Stone river, Chickamanga, Missionary Ridge and 
the scige and capture of Atlanta. Ht ♦hen returned northward under the 
command of General Thomas and participated in the battles of Franklin 
»nd Xashville and in the second contest qt Perryville. During the last 
of the war his regiment was stationed in the vicinit.v of Nashville and 
when hostilities were over and the country ro longer needed the militarj' 



6-,6 nXsTOR^' o(r AlXti^ ASTD 

aid of its soldiers the One Hundredth Ulimiis \f'is mustered out at Chicage, 
Air. Shenek tl en re'ui'ned to Will county to resume the pursuits of 
oivil life and for fonr years was engaged in fi^'ming thci-e. He after- 
ward spent a few years in teaming in Braidwooo, that county, and also 
<tiaft in coal. On discoiilinuing his labors along those lines (jf activity he 
hpcame ennneeted with the hutehering business which he has since made his 
ource ()<■ livelihood. He remained a resident of Illinoii until 1884 when 
he came to Woodson county, settling in Vales Center and for more than 
sixteen years he has coiuhii'ted a meat market in this place. Tie enjoys a 
large profitable trade, easily retaining an extensive patronage by '-eason of 
his moderate prices, his earnest desire to please and his fair dealincr. 

In 1866. in W^ill coun*y, Illinois. Mr. Shenek was joined in wedlock tcr 
Miss Sarah Wright, a daughter of Cherrington Wright, a native of Eng- 
land, as was also his wife. They have had five children : Fred C. who is 
Mssocialed in business with his father: Ada and John, both deceased; Lester 
and Walter, at home. Since the organization of the jiarty the Sheneks 
have been Republicans and our subject is a stalwart advocate of the 
p;:rty. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and he also be- 
longs to Oeorge I). CariJcnter Post. O. A. R. He made for himself a 
creditable military record upon the tented fields of the south and is to-day 
as loyal to the best intei-ests of cili/enship as when he followed the Stars;: 
and Stripes through the ronfederaey. 



OEOROE MOEREK. 

The Hiiipstcnfatious routine of private life, although of vast importance' 
(o the welfai'e of the connntinity. has not figured to any great extent in 
the pages of history. But the names of men who have distinguished 
themselves by the possession of eharactei-isties that have enabled them to 
conquer an adverse fate and advance their individual prosperity and at 
tie same time conti-ibute to the public good should not be permitted to 
peri^•h. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than 
that of heroes, statesmen and writers for it is the few who enter sneh 
I'nes of life while the many are found in the great fields of agriculture and 
eommerce and desire to know of methods that will aid them in sucli 
branches of business. The history of George ?iIoerer should not fail to 
serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who would 
know of practical methods for he has depended npon industry and perse- 
verance to gain advaneement to a position among the wealthy and highly 
!espee<ed citizens of Woodson comity. 

.\ native of Prussia, he was born necember 3. 1835, a son of Christo- 
pliei- and Sophia (Struwe) ^loerer. who were also natives of Oermany. 
whence they came to America in 1853. landing at Galveston, Texas, on the 
26th of December. They remained for about n year in the Lone Star 



'\;vOuDSOX COfX^flES. KA^iSAS. 



357 



:-ira"te, and theu went to Piatt county, Missouri, but wishing to locate where 
'i\\ey could secure cheap land they removed to Xeniaha county, Nebraska. 
"The mother died in iVIissouri, but the father followed farming in Nebraslja 
until his death which occurred when he was seventy-seven wars of age. 
''i'hey had four chiMren, but only two are now living— Prantz and George, 
the elder now a resident of Nebraska. 

George Moerer spent the first eighteen years of his life in tire father- 
laud and then accompanied his parents to the New World. He soon com- 
menced work by the month on a farm and was thus employed until he had 
saved money enough with which to purchase four hundred and twenty 
acres of raw prairre land in Nebraska. There he made a good farm and 
-.completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage to Mlfs Sophia 
7,ahe\. For twenty-three years he resided upon his Nebraska farm, mak- 
ing many excellent improvements and transforming it into a valuable 
property. In October. 1885. he came to Kansas and located at his prefent 
home, pui'cliasing seven liundred and 1:wenty acres of land on Cherry 
jreek, in Everett townsbip, two miles north and five miles east of Yates 
Center. The place was well improved with large barns and other buildings 
and all modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating the farm 
Avork and rendering it profitable. His buildings stand on the east bank of 
Cherry creek, close to the timber which borders each side of the stream and 
furnishes him all the wood which he needs for use upon the farm. The 
place IS well stocked with cat+le and horses and he raises none but the 
best grades. His stocl\ gives every indication of good breeding and Mr. 
iMoerer finds no difficulty in making sales when he wishes to dispose of 
•eithei' horses or cattle. Tn addition to his present farm of seven hvmdred 
Tind twenty acres. Mr. Moerer was also the 6wner of one hundred and sixty 
•acres of land, which he divided equally between two of his sons. 

The marriage of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Moerer was blessed with ten children 
and with the exception of one who died in infancy all are yet living, 
namely: Prank, who resides near his father. Ida, who is acting as her 
father's housekeeper: Julius, a resident of Woodson county: Pmma, wife 
•of D. L. Gregory, who is living in Southport. Tennessee: Martha, wife of 
Kenry Kopper, of Woodson county: William, Henry, Albert ajid Lydia, 
"who are .still at home. 

l\lr. TMoerer exercises his right of franchise in support of the Demo- 
tiacy, but has never sought office, giving bis undivided attention to his 
businiess, wherebj' he has won success. The subject of this review has 
"through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked 
sistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and 
is one whose prosperity amply justifies the application of the somewhat 
liackneyed but most expressive title, "a self- made man." 



65S ntiifbll*' OK ALLEN .\:<v 

IIEXRY E. OLD. 

HKXKV H OLD is a prosperous biisiuess man of Liberty towuship', 
Wootlsoii i:oui)t)-. now Hngag*?d iu merchandising at Burt, a little village- 
?bout nine miles northwest of Va.es Center. For a number of years he 
vas CiUnnected with the educational interests of the county and thus became 
widely known, lie was born in Miami county, Indiana. Aujaist 8, 1869. a 
son of James H. and Phoebe A. (Kerschner) Old. also natives of the 
lloosier state. The father has devoted the greiiter part of his life to agri- 
'?ultural pursuits. He came to Woodson county. Kansas, in 1882, and is 
now liviu'T in Eureka, this state, at the age of lifty-eight yeare. His 
wife passed away in 1889, when forty-one years of age. They were the 
parents of nine cliildren and are yet living with the exception of the 
e!dest who was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun. near Burling- 
ton, Kans. 

Henry Old. the eldest of the living cl-ildren. came with his parents to 
Kansas in 188'J and attended the common school until ([ualified for teach- 
ing, when he became a representative of that profession which he fallowed 
for nine years in Wood.son county. He always attended the county in- 
stitutes afld thus kept in to\ieh with the progress continually being made in 
'hat line of work. He also served for two years on the examining board of 
tlie coun*y. It was at one time his intention to enter the medical fraternity, 
and with this end in view he studied medicine for three years under the 
direction of Dr. Kellenberger, of Yates Center, but this work did not 
prove as congenial as he had anticipated and accordingly he abandoned 
i' nd turned his attention to merchandising. 

With the money which he had saved from his wages as a teacher he 
purchased a stock of goods and as a member of the firm of Randall & Old 
he became connected with mercantile pursuits, opening a store in Burt in 
1899. Tieir store is the only one in that locality and tliey draw a trade 
tioin miles around. They cjirry a well selected general stock valued at twa 
thousand dollars and tlieir annual sales amount to ten thousand dollai-s. 
Their success has exceeded their expectations and is an indication gf their 
cimrteous treatment of their patrons, their straiglit- forward dealing and 
their earn^st desire to please. 

On tbe 2^ of May, l?t'0. Mr. Old led to the marriage altar MisK 
Ellen B. Randall, who was born in Cowley county. Kansas. The young 
couple have many warm friends in the conuuuuity and are held in high es- 
teem by all who know them. His force of character, strong individuality and 
steadfastness of purpose have already won for ^Ir. Old a desirable posi- 
tion in conunercial circles and will undoubtedly bring him still greater suc- 
ccea. 



REUBEN JONES. 
Athough one of the more recent arrivals among the farmers and 
stock raisei-s of Woodson county. Reuben Jones has the enterprising and 



WOODSON COUNTIEii. KANSAS. 659 

pi'O'Tiessive spirit of the west and lias been accorded a place among the 
ropreseutative agriculturists. He was IJorn near Jefferson City, ]\Iissonri, 
February 2, 1848. His father. Thomas Jones, was a native of Massachu- 
setts and as his father died when Thomas 'M'as only twelve years of age 
the latter had to make his own way in the world and finlly drifted to Ohio, 
v here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Jane E. Puller. In due course 
of time they were married, and in 18.^1 removed to Orundy count.v. Illinois. 
where they went to Li\-ingston county, that state. The year 1884 witnessed 
their arrival in Kansas, their home being near lola, in Allen county, where 
the mother of our subject passed away in 1888. the father surviving until 
1891, when he to departed this life. They were the parents of five children, 
three of whom are yet living: Reuben ; As-a. who makes his home in the city 
iii Oklahoma, and Mrs. da Miler, of La Harpe. Kas. 

Heuben Jones was reared to farm life in Illinois and there pursued a 
common school education. As is usual with young men starting oiit in busi- 
ness life he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey and was 
Xinited in marriage to Miss Anna Fisher, a native of New Jersey. They 
continued to reside in Illinois until 1892 when they came to the Sunflower 
state, .settling in Toronto towns-hip. AYoodson county, eight miles north of 
the town of Toronto, where Mr. Jones purchased two hundred and forty 
acres of land, but since that time he has extended the boundaries of his 
I'.lace until it now comprises four hundred acres, constituting some of the 
best farming land of the county, bordering the Brazle creek. Here he is 
engaged in the raising of crops and stock and now has about eighty head 
of cattle and one hundred hogs, producing about that number annually. 
He feeds all of his corn and hay and keeps his stock in excellent condition, 
markets it himself and therefore receives the highest prices paid. 

In his work Mr. Jones has had able assistance from his sons. Thomas 
E.. the eldest, is now in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad company, at 
Ouiney. Kans. : George F.. ojjerates a farm near the old homestead: and 
Asa is married and assists in the operation of the home farm. Mr. Jones 
is a nyemer of the Odd Fellows society, at Quincy, Kans. : and also belongs 
lo Woodson lodge No. 121. F. & A. M., at Toronto. Political preferment 
las had no attraction for him. yet he was elected and served for one term as 
iustice of the peace. Business cares engross his attention, the work of the 
farm being under his immediate snper\nsion and indicating the careful 
direction of an enterprising and progressive owner by its splendid returns. 
Fverything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, the improve- 
ments being in keeping with modern progress and advancement, and the 
position which the owner occupies in agricultural circles is commendable 
and enviable. 



COL. ^YILLIA:\I L. PARSONS. 

The office of probate judge in Woodson county is filled by William 



66o HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

L. Parsons, a man M'honi his fellow-townsmen recognize as worthj' of the 
public trust and confidence, for in all life's relations he is found true to 
duty, and his ability also well ([ualifies him for the position. He came 
I'l the county in December. IHvl. and therefore throuirh a period of thirty 
yeais has been connected with its interests, much of the time being a 
prominent representative of its industrial concerns. 

Mr. Parsons has had a somewhat eventful career but through the 
vicissitudes of life has persevered in a persistent purpose. He was born 
on Long Island. \ew York. Ai)ril :!(), 1838. a son of William Parsons, of 
East Hampton, a sea captain who died on Long Island, leaving two sons 
and two daughters. In the jilaee of his nativity our subject grew to man- 
hood, no event of special importance occurring to vary the usual routine 
(;f life for boys of that period. He was educated in the public schools and 
Clinton Academy and remained on Long Island until twenty-five years 
01 age, when he sought tiie liroader business opportunities of the new 
and growing west, removing to Hacine. Wisconsin, in 1858. There he 
was engaged in merchandising at the time of the outbreak of the Rebellion 
in the south, and, putting aside all personal considerations, with patriotic 
spirit he volunteered for service at the front, enlisting in Company F. 
fcceoiid AYisconsin infantry, with which he remained for three years and 
eight months. He was in the First Division of the First .\rmy Corps and 
participated in the battle of Bull Run and in many other engagements, his 
service ending with the Grant campaign. He was wounded at South 
Mountain, again at Gettysburg and a third time in the battle of the 
Yvildcrness. where he was left on the field for dead, but was afterward 
picked up by the Rebels and sent to Macon. Georgia. Later he was trans- 
ferred to Charleston and sub.«e(|uently to Columbia. South Cai'olina. His 
brigade was known as the Iron Brigade— a name which indicates the 
.character of the soldiers. who stood with almost unbending strength before 
the rain of shot and shell that came against them in many a battle. Mr. 
I'arsons was a brave and loyal soldier, always found at his post of duty, 
and from the ranks he was continually promoted, in recognition of his 
meritorious service, until he won the title of colonel but fought only as 
n^ajor. 

After returning from the army Colonel Parsons conducted an elevator 
for a railroad company at Savannah. Illinois, and was later connected with 
the internal revenue service as inspector. He went to Chicago, where he was 
later engaged in handling vessel supplies and dealing in groceries on South 
^Vater street. There he continued operation until the bis fire of Octobei-. 
1891, when he lost all that he had saved, his store being in the burned 
district. He then resolved to retrieve his lost possessions in the west and 
accordingly, in December, of that year .he arrived in Woodson county, 
where he has since made his home. Locating in Xeo>ho Falls in the spring 
of 1872 he purchased an interest in the milling business of the firm of 
Covert & Cdzine and finally became sole owner of the plant. He later 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 66 1 

oieeted a ni^\Y plant on the old site and sueeessfullj? cai'ried on the enter- 
prise under the name of the Neosho Falls Puoring Mills until 1898, when 
he retired from active business life. 

In Nfi^ho Falls, in 1877, Colonel Parsons was united in marriage to 
JNlifs Jennie E. Holloway, a sister of the late I. N. Holloway, of Yates 
Center. Two children were born to them, William Sherrill, wliose bright 
young life on earth ended in April 1900. The daughter Anna Esther^ is 
now the wife of Dr. 0. B. Trusler, of Yates Center. 

Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont the 
colonel has been a stalwart advocate of the Republican party and. like 
every true American citizen should do, keeps well informed on the issues 
of the day and is thus able to .support his position by intelligent argument. 
In 1898 he was elected probate judge and filled the position so acceptably 
for two years that he was re-elected in 1900 for a second term. Ere leav- 
ing Long Is:land he was made a Mason and is now a member of the chapter 
o' Yates Center. Various business interests have claimed his attention 
and at all times he has been found enterprising, energetic and notably 
reliable: his patriotism has been tested on the battlefields of the greatest 
V ar which the world has known : his friendship is ever found tried and 
true: and now in public office he is giving evidence of conscientious and 
faithful spi-ivee and tluTebv winning the commendation of all concerned. 



DAVID GAILEY. 
DAVID OAILEY, whose identification with the interests of Wood- 
son county dates from March, 1870. was born in Delaware county. Ohio, in 
September 1842. His father, James Gailey, was a native of Lawrence 
county, Pennsylvania, and was descended from Pennsylvania-German 
ancestry. In the place of his nativity he married Hannah Hunter, and 
prior to the Civil war removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he re- 
sided until 1867. He then continued his westward journey to Johnson 
C( unty, Missouri, which was his place of abode until 1870, when he came 
1o Woodson coTinty. He first resided at Chellis, Kansas, then at Kalida 
and afterward at Yates Center, where he died in the spring of 1890, at the 
age of eighty-five years. He was a venerable, honorable and respected 
citizen, who throughout his entire business career had followed the occu- 
pation of farming. He voted with the Repaiblican party but took no active 
part in polities. His wife died during their residence in Delaware county, 
Ohio. They had several children but our subject is the only one now liv- 
ing. John Gailey, the eldest son, who was a member of the Ffteenth 
United States regulars, served in the Civil war, was captured at Stone 
river and died eleven months later in Andersonville prison : ^Yilliam, who 
was a member of the Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry, died in Co- 
l,;mbus, Ohio; David is the next of the family: James was a resident of 



66j history of allex and 

AniliTsdii (^■imnty. Kniisa.s; Saiiiuel made his home iu Xnrth Dakoia: (leoiiio 
lived in Dehnvare i-ouiity. Ohio: Mary is the deceased wife of Austhi 
Oldan ; Eliza resides in the state of Washinorton: Angeline became the wfe 
f.f X. E. Cor. of ^lissouri. and Anna died in childhood. 

David Gailey was reared upon the home farm and received but meager 
educational pri\'ileges. He attended the district schools to some extent and 
for one year was a student in a select school in Berkshire. Delaware county. 
Ohio, but the greater part of his time was given to the labors of the 
folds. His work, however, was interrupted by his military service for 
when the south attempted the destruction of the Union he enli.sted under 
the Stars and Stripes, becoming a member of the Fifteenth L'nited States 
regulars, at Columbus. 1861. He was in the army of the Cumberland. 
V, ith the Fourteenth corps, and the first battle in which he participated was 
s<t Shiloh, He afterward took part in the engagements at Corinth. Perrj'- 
ville and Stone Kiver, and about that time was taken ill and was not 
again in active duty. He had enlisted for three years but on account 
ol disabilitj- received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. 
However, lie re-enlisted for six months service in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer 
Cavalry and afterward in the Eighty-eighth regiment of Ohio for one year. 
Serving with the latter command until the close of the war. He was a 
p] ivate and passed through all the hardships and rigors of war, but was 
ever found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the Old Flag. 

When the war was over Mr. Gailey returned to his home i!i Ohio and 
resumed farming. He accompanied his father on his various removals, re- 
maining with him until his death. After coming to "Woodson county he 
was here married, on Christmas day of 1871. to ^liss Lucinda Gephard. 
a daughter of Joseph Gephard. a native of Pennsylvania and farmer 
ly occupation. He married Sevilla Miller, also a native of the Keystone 
state, and unto them have been born the following named : Mrs. Gailey : 
Mary, wife of Thomas Wilson, of Eureka, California : Franklin, of Yates 
Center: Joseph and William, also of Yates Center: Samuel, of Eureka, 
California, and Emma, wife of Edward Gibbons, of Sioux City, Iowa. 

Tn his political affiliations Mr. Gailey has been a stalwart Republican 
since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. As 
a citizen he manifests a public-spirited interest in everything pertaining 
t(' the welfare of the eomnuinity in which he resides and is as true and loyal 
1o his country to-day as when his patriotism was manifest on .southern bat- 
tlefields. 



HTRAM E. BRADFORD. 

One of the well known and prosperous farmei"s of Perry townshiji. 
Woodson county is H. E. Bradford, who fii-st came to Kan.sas in 1866 and 
vho^e residence in this county covei-s a period of twenty-three years. He 



"vvOCiDSON COONTIES, KANS.vs. f,fi- 

-fyns boi'u in Switzerland county, Indiana. November 1"J, IS-t'i, and is a 
li presentative of an old New England family. His grand father. Tlosea 
Bradford, was a native of that portion of the country and was one of two 
brothers who soiiglit homes in the middle west, the other being Joel Brad- 
ford, who located in Switzerland county, Indiana. Rosea Bradford mar- 
ried Hannah Dnstin, a niece of the Mrs. Dustin, of New England, who 
was carried off by the Indians and afterwai'd killed eleven of her captors 
and made her escape. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford resided for a time in 
Canada and tlien removed to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where the grand- 
irdher of our subject followed farming. Lester Bradford, the father of our 
.subject was bom in Canada and was but a small boy when his parents be- 
came residents of Ohio. He w^s reared to farm life and throughout his 
• active business career carried on the work of tilling the soil. He was at 
■one time a resident of Switzerland eonnt\'. Indiana, but afterward re- 
turned to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and his last daj"^ were passed in "Wood- 
son coTinty, at the home of his son, Hiram E., where h-e died in August, 
1898. at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife bore tlw maiden n.ime 
of Elvira Thayer and died in 1848, leaving the following named: Elbert 
N.. now a resident of Douglas county, Oregon ; .Tulia, deceased wife of Dr. 
Norman Wright, of Cuyahoga county. Ohio: Lodicy, deceased wife of 
Aseph Sabiu. and Hiram Elliott. 

The last named spent his boyhood days at Olmstead, Ohio, and there 
Ijeeame familiar witli farm work. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 
X'nion army for service in the Civil war, as a member of company B. One 
Hundred and third Ohio infantry, and was nmstered in at Covington. 
Kentucky, where he remained until the summer of 1863, when his regi- 
ir.ent joined General Burnsides' army for an invasion of eastern Tennessee. 
He met the Rebels n tbe skirmish line near Covington befoi-e he was 
regularly mustered in, but tbe first regular engagement in which he partic- 
ipated was on the Atlanta campaign. The most serious Iofs which the regi- 
ment sustained was at Resaca. where about one third of the number was 
killed or Avounded. ]\Ir. Bradford was with the forward movement until 
the fall of Atlanta, when the One Hundred and Third turned back with 
Oeneral Schofield to Franklin. Tennessee, where one of the bloodiest battles 
•of the war was fought. This was followed by the battle of Nashville and 
of Clifton, and then, they proceeded in pursuit of General Hood. Later 
]\Ir. Bradford with his command was ordered to Fort Fi.sher, North Caro- 
Ina. and subsequently went across the state to Gold.sboro where they 
joined Shei'man and saw the last service of the war. The regiment 
v.as then sent to Newberne and took boat to Baltimore where they boarded 
^1 train for Cleveland, where he received an honorable discharge, after 
having served for two years and ten months. 

On the close of his military experience he went to Indiana but after 
51 brief period came to Kansas, here remaining until 1874 when he re- 
Turned to Cuyahoga county. Ohio. There he passed the succeeding four 



664 KrsfORV of ALLEN' .<.<C 

ycais and in ISTS looa'eLl peniianently iu tl'.is state. The followiiij: leai" 
lie took up his abode in Woodson connty and now makes his home on the 
r.fitiuvest quarter of section twenty, township twenty-six, range seventeen* 
uhere he is eanyinsi on farming operations, the well tilled fields srivinir 
promise of abundant harvests. 

On the 25th of February. 1S71. Mr. Bradford married Irena Bartlett. 
a daughter of Jame- and Xanev (Shannon) Bartlett. Tlieir marriase has 
been ble sed with three children: Walter L. : Elvira M.. a teacher in 
the public schools of Woodson county, and ElbertE. The sons assist their 
f.ither in the opi-ration of the home farm. Mr. Bradford is well known 
f(.r his Kepublican principles and the hear'y endoivement which he ?ives 
fo the men and measures of t! e party, lie has held the office of .justice of 
the peace and at the present writins is treasurer of Perry township, iir 
V l.ieh office he has discharscd his duties with promptness ami fidelity. 
He belonsrs to the I'nited Brethren church and is one of the reliable and 
Valued citizens of the commnnitv. 



CHRISTIAN ST.VN'iiE. 

I'H.KISTI.V.N STANOE has been a resident of Woodson county since 
he was eleven years of age. and he has now passed the fiftieth milestone on 
life's journey. He came thither with his father. Christian Stange. Sr.. an 
honored pionter who located in southeastern Kansas in 18.58. He made 
his way to the Suntlower state from Hanover. Oermany. where occurred 
the birth of his son Christian, on the 5th of September. 1847. The latter 
spent his first decade in his native country .and at the age of eleven came 
ivitii his parents to the New World. He was reared on the home farm 
on Cherry creek, in Everett township, Woodson county, and worked in 
the fields and meadows from early youth, gaining practical experience in 
the laboi-s of the farm so that he was well eipiipped to carry on farming: 
on his own account when he began business life for himself. 

In January. 1876. in Everett township, ^Ir. Stange was united iu 
marriage to Miss Louise Sieker. a daughter of William Sicker, who resided 
in Lippe-Detmold, Germany. One of her brothei-s, August Sieker. is a resi- 
dent of Woodson County. Mi-s. Stange came to Woodson County in 1875, 
so that she has been a resident of this portion of the state for more than 
two decades. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, 
namely: Mary. Annie. Lizzie and Martha, and the family circle yet re- 
mains unbroken. 

At the same time of his marriage Mr. Stange took up his abode upon 
a farm in Everett township, where he resided until 1884. when he pur- 
chased the southwe.st quarter of section thirty-three, township twenty-five, 
ranse seventeen. Here he has since carried on farming, meeting with 



"uOuDSON COUNTIES, KAiS'SAS. 665 

■-signal success in his undertakings for his fanning iiictliods arc progres- 
■ sive— calculated to produce the btst results. In their religious faith, IVlr. 
'jiiauge and his family are Lutherans, and in liis political views he is a 
Kepublicau. his ballot being cast for the men and measures of the Grand 
Old Party. 



JOHN H. WALTERS. 

JOHN H. WALTERS, who has been actively identified with the devel- 
opment of the west and who is familiar with all the experiences of the pio- 
neer on the plains, was born in the Province of Luebeck. Kingdom of Hano- 
ver. Germany in 1849 and with his parents came to America in 1853. set- 
tling in Cincinnati, 0. He is a son of John H. and Elizabeth Wilmer- 
ing Woltermann. They were the pai'ents of five children, of whom our 
sub.jeet was the fourth in order of birth. He I'emaiiied with his parents 
until thirteen years of age and then left liome to make his own way in. 
tile world. He has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, 
and certainly deserves great credit for what he lias accomplished. 

Mr. Walters i-emained in Cincinnati where he worlced at anything that 
1;e could get to do until be bad an opportunity of fearing a trade. When 
the chance came he began learning the business of manufacturing trunks 
i>!!d followed that pursuit until the latter part of the Civil war. In 1864, 
allhough only fifteen years of age be became connected with the army, .ioin- 
ir.g the Fourth ITnited States Cavalry as a clerk for the sutler of that 
I'tgiment with whom he remained until tbe close of the war. He then hired 
as a messenger to the quartermaster at Nashville. Tenn., acting in that 
opacity until affairs were all ad.im-ted in tliat locality. During the Wilson 
laid he took the place of soldier, carrying a musket and saw some arduous 
ser\nce. Oil the road between Earlton and ^Montgomery he was captured 
and held for days, on tbe expiration of which time he succeeded in making 
liis escape, working his way back to the regiment. 

When tbe war was over Mv. Walters returned to Ohio and four montbs 
later he accompanied some land dealers to Missouri where he engaged with 
"t")wen, Fisher & Company, proprietors of the stage line, working as a 
utility man, performing any service required by the company. He was 
frequently sent from place to place on various kinds of business. After 
■■rorking for a year for the stage company be went to Leavenworth, Kas., 
and herded the town cattle. In the fall of 1869 he volunteered to 
£0 West to fight the Indians under General Carr, as a teamster for the 
Seventh Ignited States Cavalry. He drove the mess wagon for Company S, 
and remained on that expedition for six montbs. after which he returned to 
T eavenworth and asain ensaged in herding cattle through the summer. In 
1870 he went to the southern state line and secured a claim in the new 
strip of land opened at that time for settlement. After eleven montbs. 



656 H'ISI'ORV of ALLE.V ANtr 

l.'owever. he sold that properly and came to Woodson County. whiM-e lit" 
purchased a claim upon which he resided for seventeen years with the' 
exception of two years at Fort Scott, making srood improvements upon 
the place. In 1S90 he disposed of that property and purchased his present 
fjum. comi)risiug one hundred and sixty acres. of good laud. The farm is 
situated a mile and three iiuartei-s northwest of Vernon, and he has a 
very pleasant home, surrounded with a nice grove of maples. All the 
modern eiiuipments and conveniences are found upon the place, and the 
mat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of a pro- 
giessive owner. He keeps on hand abont thirty head of cattle and raises 
g» od crops, feeding most of his corn to* his stock. 

On the 14th of October. 1877. Mr. Walters was united in marriage to 
>!!ss ^Margaret Jane Withers, a native of Illinois, a daughter of William 
rnd Eli/a (Rich^/ Withers, the former a native of Illinois and the latter 
of Ohio. They came to Kansas in 1S71. when Mrs. Walters was thirteen 
years of age. and the father died in IS94. at the age of sixty-three years 
while the mother is still li\-ing in Yates Center, at the age of sixty-one. Of 
their children six sons and six daughters yet survive. I'nto Mr: and 
Mi-s. Waltei-s have been born ten children, nine of whom are living: 
Frank, Fred, Ralph, Arthur, John, Jennie Edward, Ellen and Stanley. 
In his political views Mr. Walters is a Republican and has filled the officL= 
of .iustice of the peace in Everett township, btit has never been an aspirant 
for the honors and emohuuents of public office, preferring to devote his 
time to his agricidtnral interests for the benefit of his family. Starting^ 
out in life a pemrlless bo.v at the age of thirteen he now stands among the 
substantial agriculturists of Woodson County, the possessor of a comfort- 
able competence an«l ri<'h in the possession of the warm regard of many 
fii^nds. 



D. R. INGE. 

Work is the common lot of all and the mii.jority of men devote their 
energies to some line of acti\nty in biisiness, yet many are the records of 
f.iilnres. The secret of this is found in a few causes, a lack of energj', 
of resolution, of pei-sistent purpose and of practical common sense. Thase 
are the elements which contribute to prosperity and they are the salient 
featuies in the business c-an>er of D. R. Inge, making him one of the sub- 
stantial citizens of Woodson County. 

.\ native of Indiana, Sir, Inge was born in Parke coimty, that state, 
on the 21 St day of November, 18:^S. His father, Chesley L. Inge, was a 
native of Virginia and was married there to Miss Frances M. Lipscomb, 
also a native of the Old Dominion. They removed to Parke County, 
Indiana at an early day. and in the midst of the green woods the father 
entered lard from' the government and transformed it into a good farm 



WOODSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. 667 

aiul home for liis tiuuily. There he resided until 187:? when he came to 
Kansas, taking up his abode in Neosho Palls, where he died the following 
year, at the age of seventy-five. His wife survived him until 1878 and 
died at the age of seventy-four. They were parents of twelve children, 
four of whom are now living: AVilliam. a resident (if Parke County. 
Indiana: James, of Missouri; Chesley. of Kansas City. l\;is. ; and 1). ij.. 
of this review. 

j\[r. Inge, whose name begins this ai'tiele, was the ninth in order of 
b;i'th in his father's family. He was reared upon a im-m in his native 
county and received such educational advantages as were afforded by the 
connnon schools of those days. He remained under the parental roof 
liiitil twenty-one years of age and then started out in life on his own ac- 
C( unt. He was married in 18tU to ^liss i^usan Ships who has indeed been 
1 1 him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was a 
native of Pennsylvania, and in 1858 became a resident of Indiana, her 
parents having both died in the Keystone state. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Inge has been blessed with four daughters. Mary M., wife of Daniel 
Phillips, of the city of Oklalumia : T.enora. wife of Joseph Wilson, a lumber 
merchant of Neosho Falls : Luella, wife of E. A. Stillwell, cashier of the 
Xeosho Falls hank, and Cora, wife of William Shockey. assistant cashier of 
the Neosho Falls bank. 

After his mai-riage i\Ir. Inge operated his father's farm for three years 
and then removed to Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming 
for two years. Believing that 1 e would have better opportunities in the 
newer and less thickly settled West, he came to Kansas in 1866, locating 
in the northwest corner of Allen County, whei'e he and his brother George 
together purchased a section of land, going in debt for the greater part of 
ii. He turned his attention to the stock business, buynig, feeding and 
sl.'ipping stock on a small scale until he became established, and as the 
\ears passed he e.\!ended his operations, becoming one of the large cattle 
dealers in the county. By hard work and close attention to business he 
sron had his farm paid for and also extended the boundaries of his property 
by additional purchases. There is no man in Allen County that has 
handled more cattle than Mr. Inge. He continued to reside upon his farm 
until 18n.'5 when he took up his abode in Neosho Falls and turned his atten- 
tion to banking, establishing the Neosho Falls bank with a capital stock of 
five thousand dollai's. He was chosen president of the bank and also one 
or its directors, while E. S. Stillwell became the cashier. He yet remains 
ai the head of the institution which is regarded as one of the reliable and 
influential concerns of the county. He also handles some cattle, buying and 
shipping when he finds a favorable opportunity, but at the present time 
MO is largely retired from active business life save for the management of 
his real estate investments. He owns twelve hundred acres of land in 
Allen and "Woodson Counties and has six business buildings in Neosho 
Falls besides two r('sid(>nce properties, ^^^^en he was married his cash 



668 HISTORY OF AM.KN" ANTI 

capital did not consist of one hnndicil dollars, but by unabatina indnstry 
and determined purpose he has steadily added to his accnninlations until 
he is now one of the wealthiest citizens of Woodson County. He has 
figured t|uite prominently in local politics and is an influential member of 
the Kei)ubliean party, luiviu'r supported its principles throughout his entire 
life. He was elected to serve as county eoiiunissioner of Allen Comity and 
filled that position for one term with credit to himself and sati.-^faction 
lo his constituents. He was then re-elected for a second term but soon re- 
sisrned. in order to remove to Xeosho Falls. Socially he is connected with 
Neosho Falls lodge. K. of P. Thoroughness characterizes all of his efforts, 
and he has ever conducted his business with a strict regard to a high 
standard of commercial ethics. The success of his life is due to no inherited 
fortune or to any succession of advantageous circumstances, but to his 
own close application, tireless industry and sterling integrity. 



CEOKGF W. TROUT. 

GEOROJ". W. TKOUT. a wide-awake, enterprising and ]irosperous 
ijiriiier i»f Eve'vtt township. AVoodson County, was born in Lasalle Coaniy. 
Illinois. January 27. ISoO. his parents being John and Abbie Susan 
(Angel) Trout. The father was a native of Ohio and in the spring of 
1876 he came to Kansas, purchasing land south of Neosho Falls, where he 
has since carried on farming. 

Our sub.ieet is the eldest of three brothers. He came to Kansas with 
his father when twenty-six years of age and soon afterward rented the old 
Ma.ior Snow farm, which he operated for five years. He liad pre%nously 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land of the Missouri. Kansas &- 
Texas Railroad Company on the prairie, but as he did not have the money 
to improve the farm he had to cultivate rented land until he had acquired 
capital sufficient to enable him to begin the development of his own prop- 
erty. At the end of five years he took up his abode uponjiis own place, 
three miles south and two miles west of Neosho Falls, on the east line of 
Everett township, and has since developed a fine farm, on which he has 
erected a nice home, good barns and outbuildings and has planted a nice 
orchard and a grove, which surrounds his residence and protects it from the 
hot rays of the summer sun. He carries on general farming and stock 
raising and all that he has is the outcome of his close application to business, 
liis industry, capable management and honorable dealings. 

After he had been in Kansas for a year ^Ir. Trout returned to Illinois 
and was there united in marriage to Miss Eliza Skinner, a native of Douglas 
County, that state, the wedding being celebrated March 2fi. 1877. Her 
father. James Skinner, was killed by lightning in Andei-son County. Kas.. 
•n 1868. but her mother is still living in La Salle County. Illinois. Unto 
^Ir. and Mrs. Trout have been born ten children: Alice, the wife of 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KAXSAS. 669 

\Valtfi- Dfi-shaiii. who resides in this locality: Harvey. Clara, Wiley, John, 
May. (jleun, Edith and Urvin. It is rather remai'kable. and a fact for 
cmtrratulation. that in so large a family no deaths have occurred. 
\Vith the exception of the eldest daughter all the children are still with 
tlieir paren+s. In politics Mr. Trout is a Rep^ibliean and by his ballot 
supports the men and measures of the party, but has had neither time nor 
inclination to hold office himself, his attention being fully occupied with his 
business affairs, which have resulted prosperously so that he is now one 
of the substantial fai-mers of his adopted county. 



PETER SMITH. 

The horologe of time has marked off a long period since Peter Smith 
first came to Wood>on County, and thirty-six years have been added to the 
cycle of the centuries since he took Tip his abode uj^on his present farm on 
section twenty-two, township twenty-five, range sixteen. He has become 
a successful fanner and ftockman, and is to-day the owner of four hundred 
acres of the rich land of Southeastern Kansas. 

Mr. Smith was born in Prussia, near the little village of Drosam, 
]\larch 26. 1834, and is a son of Pe'^er Smith. Sr., a farmer, who spent his 
entire life in Germany. His widow married Peter Yogem, who brought 
the family to the United States in 1842, locating in Wisconsin near the 
town of Hartford, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. The 
children of her first marriage were Margaret, who became the wife of 
Henry Soras and died in Milwaukee, Wis., and Peter. By the second 
i>:arriage there ai'e alfo three children. Anna, who married Tom Shoe : 
Susie and Mary. 

Peter Smith of this review spent the first eight years of his life in 
the fatherland and then accompanied the family on the long voyage across 
the Atlantic to the new world. Reared in Wisconsin he there remained 
until nineteen years of age, after which he spent two years engaged in 
farm work in Putnam County, 111. He then came to Kansas, attracted to 
the state by the report that land could be obtained here at a nominal 
pi ice. One of the pioneers of Woodson County, he settled first in Everett 
township, where he secured a homestead, and in 1865 he came to his present 
I'arm which has been his place of abode continuously since. He has trans- 
formed the wild land into richly cultivated fields and the track of the 
shining plow has been followed by fields of grain that, ripening under the 
lot Slimmer sun. has yielded abundant harvests, bringing him a good profit 
for his labors. His four hundred acres of land now constitutes a valuable 
pioperty improved with all modern accessories and conveniences, sup- 
])lied with good machinery and substantial buildings and giving him a 
gi od return for his labors. 

Mr. Smith has been twice married. In AYoodson Countv in 1859 



670 HISTORY OK ALLEX AM) 

he weddwi iknrietta Steffeu, who died iu 1879, lejiving the foUowiiig 
children: Frank, of ^Vood^o^ County; Charlis, of Osage County. Kas. : 
Henry and John, both of Woodson County: Matilda, wife of Edward 
Kinniouth, of Kansas City. JIo. : Augusta, wife of Frani^ Fngh>bright. of 
Woodson County: Louise, wife of John Schocptlin. of Woodson County, 
Kas.. and Mary. For his second wife. ]\Ir. Smith chose Catherine Beer, 
whom he wedded in 1880. The ehiklien of this union are Annie, Peter. 
J\ebecca and Fannie. I'rior to the time when .she became the wife of our 
.subject Mi-s. Smith had married John Richard, now deceased, and they 
were the parents of six children. Fred, of Woodson County; Maggie, wife 
of George Smith, of lohi ; Samuel, of Vv'oodson Comity; Ko.sa. wife of 
Charles Smith; T^ydia. wife of Bert Wagner, of Rtiffalo. Kas., and Walter, 
',' ho is living in Woodson County. 

Mr. Smith's labois as an agriculturist have never been interrupted 
s'nce coming to Kansas save by his service in the Civil war. Wlien the 
destruction of the Union was threatened by the rebellion in the South hi' 
.joined the Second Regiment of Kansas (^avalry under Colonel Cloud, and 
became a member of Company C. connnanded hy Cap'ain Barker. This 
regiment served in Missouri. Arkansas. Tennessee and Kentucky, pai'ti- 
cipating in the battles of Praii'ie (!rove. the capture of Fort Smith, Flat 
Rock. Kentucky and Flat Rock. Ark. At the last named he was taken 
prisoner and sent to Tyler. Tex., where he was incarcerated for nine 
months or until the close of the war. when he returned to Kansas with an 
licnorable record as a defender of the Union. In the discharge of his 
(Uities of citizenship he has ahvays been as true and faithful as when he 
followed the starry banner upon the battle fields of the South. He gave 
his political support to the Republican party until 188—' when new issues 
having arisen he became a supporter of the tireenback part.y and is now 
allied with the People's party. He does all in his power for the normal 
gi'owth and progress of the county along substantial and beneficial lines, 
and his life is in harmony with his professions as a member of the Church 
ff Ood. A farm hand for several years after his arrival in Kansas, he 
now stands upon the plane of affluence and not only deserves recognition as 
a successful man. but as one whose success has been so worthily achieved 
that his business record is deserving of emulation. 



CHARLES F. HARDER. 

CHARLES F. HARDER, of Yates Center, was born in the village 
c' Jagzow. Kreis. Anklam. Germany, November 18. 1844. His father. 
Charles H. Harder, was also a native of the same country and in early 
life was a shepherd but afterward became proprietor of a hotel. He 
spent eight years in Kansas in the latter portion of his life and died in 
1883, at the aae of eiu:htv-four. In his familv were thirteen children, those 



"WD<Ji:)SON COfNTlES, KANSAS. ,,-, 

mow 111 the United Stutes IjL'ing Williain. of iMilton. Oresoii; Ferdinand a 
resident of Portland. Oregon; Albert, of lola. Kas. : Henrietta, the wife 'of 
August Meyer, of T.alw View, la., and Charl^?s F. 

The subject of this sketch acquired a good education in the schools 
of Germany, and at the age of twenty years he left home, starting out 
to make his own way in the world. Believing that .-.etter opportunities 
«ere afforded young men in America, he sailed for the United States in 
1S64. and located first in Livingston County. 111., where he remained until 
coining to ICan.stis in February. 18G9. Taking up his abode in Woodson 
County be was at fiist em])]o.yed by the month as a farm hand, but aftei'- 
ward secured a home: tea d of his oavu which h« owned until the time of 
his marriage, when he disponed of that j)roperty and removed to his A\'ife's 
farm. He has since engaged in the raising of stock and srain and in his 
pastiii-es are seen good grades of eattte, horses and hogs, while his fields give 
promise of bounteous harvests. 

In September. 1869, Mr. Hardei- was united in marriage to Mrs. 
Theresa .'-'tnelcebrand. a daughter of Marquis Broekmann. whose family 
numbered five children, only two of whom came to the United States. Her 
l>eople resided in the city of Kiel, in Schl^swig-Holstein, Germany. Mrs. 
Harder was first mai-ried to August Stoek-ebrand. a brother of William and 
lamest Stoekebi-and. and by her first union she had five children. Ausust, 
Mary, the wife of Louis Brodmanu; Henry: Annie, wife of John Domier- 
berg, and Emil. All are residents of Woodson County. Five children 
'-■race the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harder, namely: Augusta, the wife of 
William Lauber: Martha, wife of Henry Kruger; Pranz and Lizzie at 
home, and Pauline, wife of William Toedman. 

Since becoming an American citizen iNIr. Harder has supported the 
K'epnbliean party wl en questions of state and national importance have 
lieen involved. l)ut at local elections, where no issue is before the people 
.s< raetimes votes independently. He is a local preacher and a membei- of 
Ihe Evangelical a.ssociation with which his family are also connected For 
more than thirty years he has resided in Woodion County and is thor- 
oughly identified with his I'egion. its interests and upbuilding, ever lend- 
ing his aid to all measures for the public good. From the little Germai, 
1 ome he came to America, and in the land of the free he found the op- 
portunity he sought to work hLs way upward to a position of affluence. 

HENRY H. Mccormick. 

Am, ,11- tiioje who have been called to public service in Wood.son 
(onnty is Henry H. IMeCormick, who for two terms filled the office of 
county clerk, being one of the most capable officials that ever occupied the 
position. He is now a leading representative of commercial interests in 
iatcs Center, where he is engaged in the hardware business. Since 1868 



6/3 HlrsfORY of ALLK.n' AAiT 

h,- has been a nsideiit of lliis porlioii of the stHte, liaving come to Kausa*-. 
tioiii Morgan County, III., where he was born on the 29th of August. 1851. 
Mis grandfather, James McConniok, was born in Kentucky anu was a 
descendant of one of the okl fainilit-s of Virginia. He liad a brother 
k''ho' served in the ATexii-an war. 

'James Wiiiiani McCoriiiiek. the father i.f uiir sub.jeet, was boi-n in 
J81t, in KButue.ky, wh^re h» spent liis boyhood days. He afterward be- 
came a re ident of MaysviHe, O.. and removed thence to Morgan County, 
111., at an early period in its develo|)nient. He followed farming and the- 
milling business in that state. In 18(i8 he removed to Kansas and 
i-cttled on a homestead in Owl ('reek township, Woodson County, 
where he resided until a few years before his death. 

Mr. jMc-Corniiek entertained sympathy for the TTnion cause, and was 
Hu outspoken abolitionist but was too old and intirm to join the army. Al- 
though his educational advantages in youth wei-e limited, he was a man; 
of strong eon%-ictions and outspoken iii defense of everything in which he 
believed. He kept well informed on the issjies of the day and was thus 
enabled to support liis position by intelligent argument. His death oc- 
curred in lola. Kas.. in 1S95. when he had attained a ripe old age. His 
wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Ruth Kannels, and was a daughter 
of Mr. Kannels, of Paris, Kentucky. ITnto Mr. and Mrs. McCormick 
were born five children: James W. 0.. of Arkansas: Carrie, widow 
of Nathan Kinney, of Tola: Henry H. : Ralph L.. of Morgan Cotinty. 111.: 
and Sarah A., wife of H. E. Van Deman. of Farksley, Virginia. 

Henry H. McCoi'inick was seventeen years of age when he came with 
his parents to Kansas. He acquired his early education in the district 
.schools, afterward sttulied in the Ceneva academy, and completed his coursii 
ill the State Agricultural College of Kansas. He suljscqiieutly engaged in 
leaching school for four years, completing his educational labors at (Jeneva. 
He then engaged in farming and dealing in cattle, making a specialty of 
Short Horn cattle. His attention «as devoted to farm work until the fall 
of 1891 when he entered upon the duties of the position of county clerk to 
which he had been elected November of that year. He filled the position 
so accei>tably that he was le-elec^ed for a second term, and when the 
lime expired he retiied from office with a most creditable record. 

Mr. l\TeCormiek afterward engaged in the hardware business as the 
successor of W. A. Snover. He conducted the business in Yates Center 
three years and then removed to Chanute. Kas., where he carried cm 
businss in the same line for a year. He then disposed of his store and re- 
turned to Woodson County, erecting in Yates Center the McCormick block, 
in which he is now conducting a hardware store, enjoying a large and well 
merited patronage. 

On the 22d of February, 1881, Mv. McCormick was united in marriage 
to IMiss Jennie DeWitt, a daughter of Capt. 0. DeWitt. of .Mien County, 



TvoDDSON 'cOXTN'rre^, kaksas. 673 

•one of the early settlei's and prominent citizens of that portion of th« state. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs.jMcCorni5ek have been born the following named children : 
Florence A.. Lewis H.. John Knox, Nellie C, Myrtle M.. Ver^ Irene and 
Henrietta. The family is one widely and favorably known in the coni- 
niunity. Mr. MeCorniick has an extensive acquaintance and is recognized 
as a local leader in the ra~nks of the Republican party, doing all in his 
power to promote its growth and insure its success. His private life and 
his public career are alike f-oiimiendalile and mauv an' the friends of Henrv 
H. AleCormick. 



RICHARD KIMBELL. 

RICHARD KIMBELL, who is now engaged in the breeding and sale 
I'.f fine hoi-ses in Yates Center, was born in Oxfordshire. England, April 
19, 1848, and is a son of Richard and Emma Freeman Kimbell. both of 
whom spent their entire lives in England and are now deceased. The father 
was a farmer by oeex;pation. In their family were four children, our sub- 
ject being the only son. Two of the number remained in England but one 
sister. Mrs. AVilkes. is now living in Wildomar. Cal. After the death of his 
"first ^\^fe the father was again married, and by that union there were seven 
children, one of whom is in the United States— Mrs. (^larke, of Los 
Angeles. Cal. 

Upon the family homestead in England. Richard Kimbell. of this 
.sketch spent his youth. He aerpiired a good English education and at the 
age of twenty-five years he bade adieu to friends and native land prepara- 
tory to becoming a resident of America. Sailing from Liverpool on a west- 
ward bound vessel he landed at New York city and tbence made his way to 
Kane County. 111., where he engaged in farming. In 1877 he came on a 
prospecting tour to Kansas and being plea.sed with the country and its 
prospects he decided to locate in this state. Accordingly he an-ived in 
"\Vood>son Countv. in February. 1878, locating in Liberty township, where 
he rented land for thirteen years. He then purchased property and con- 
tinued farming and stock raising until 1900 when he sold his farm and 
came to Yates Center. Here he is engaged in handling fine horses, of which 
lie is an excellent .judge, so that he makes judicious purchases, and in 
consequence ready sales as he places his horees upon the market. His 
business methods will merit the elo.sest inspection, and his well known 
probity has been an important factor in his success. He has excellent 
accommodations in the way of stables for his horses in Yates Center, 
and the business which he has earrried on for some j'eare is proving 
profitable. 

Ere leaving England. Mr. Kimbell was united in marriage to Miss 
Harriet Louise Hartley, a daughter of Henry and Caroline Hartley, late 
ol"' Stratford on Avon "Warwickshire. Their children are: Edward R.. a 



f'74 rrr.s'f'OKY of allkk ajStd 

fanner ol' Woodson Coiinly, who inanicd Louisa B. Smith: Harry IT., of 
Yates Center; Caroline I-]., wife of Carl Reynolds, of Savonbnrg. Kas., and 
Fannie h. Air. Kinihell usually votes with the Democratic party but is not 
f.reatly inteiested in politics. He is now a Past :Master Mason." and is al.so 
a valued imnilier of Ihe Knifilils of Pythias fraternity, and the Order of 
M<?d 'SU'ii. The hope which led him to come to the United States has been 
'I'alized in his increased fortune and he has found here a pleasant home and 
friends of worth whom lie prizes, while at the same time his friendship is 

iirejitlv nrized by llieill. 



ALBERT SCHNELL, 

ALBERT SCll.M'-LL. deceased, was one of the substantial citizens and 
cnterprisinji: fai'mers of AVoodson County, and his death, which occurred 
in 1900, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for such citi- 
zens the connuunity can ill atl'ord to lose. His was an honorable and up- 
right citizen and thus his memoir merits a leading place in this vohime. 

Albert Sehnell was a native of L'erm'any. born JIarch 1-5, 1849. and a 
son of Henry Hclmell. who was Iw'ice married, his first wife being the 
mother of our object, and brother. John. The surviving members of that 
family are all residents of Du Bois county, Indiana. 

During his youth Albert Sehnell accompaiiied his parents to the new 
world and was reared in Du Bois County. Indiana. His education was 
;tc(|uired in his native tongue, and before attaining his majority he left 
home in order to earn his own living as a farm hand. He was employe<l 
in that way for a number of years, but after his marriage rented land and 
began farnn'ng on his own account. It was on the 27th day of Februaiy, 
1872. that he was joined in wedlock to j\liss Lucy Sawyers, a daughter of 
•lames Sawyers of Scott Coiuity, Illinois, but formerly of Tennessee. 
Her mother bore the maiden name of Rachel Davis, and by her 
marriage to .Mr. Sawyeis she h.ad two daughters and a son, the latter being 
Joseph Sawyers, of Scott County, while the sii^ter of Mrs, Sehnell is Ange- 
line Sawyers. There were, however, some half brothers and sisters, three 
of whom are yet living. 

Mr. and "Mrs. Sehnell began their (iosiicstic life at Oxvil.c Scot! 
County. Illinois, renting the Sawyers' farm for six years, after whi.'h 
they came to Kansas, settling in Center township, Woodson County, in Feb- 
ruary. 1878. Ilei-e I\Ir. Sehnell purchased eighty acres of land and began 
its cultivation and imi^rovement. His resources then were quite limite 1, 
but as the years pa.ssed his labors brought to him a good financial retv.-u, 
and he increased the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase 
of one hundrwl and sixty acres of land. He engaged in the raising of graiu 
and stock and placed his farm under a high state of cultivation. He also 
ma U- manv excellent improvements in the way of buildings, and '.vhiV at 



WOODSON COUNTIE;;, KANSAS. 675 

a nt ighbor's barn raising on the ISth of May, 1900, he was killcil by a 
falling beam, his death coming as a great shock, and an irreparable loss to 
hii-' family. 

Four children had been born unto 'Mv. and Mrs. Schnell, nnnu'ly: 
Tiaehel. the wife of Filuiore "Withers, of Yates Center, Kas, ; Mary, John 
and James, who are still with their mother, the family yet occupying the 
>>ld homestead left them by their father. Mr. Pehnell was well knowji as- a 
staunch Republican, attended many of the conventions of his party and did 
siP in his power to secure the adoption of its principles. In business he 
v.'as energetic, reliable and progressive, and in all dealings was the soul of 
hciior. His prosperity resulted from his persistency of purpose, his in- 
defatigable industry and his honesty, and the untarni.shed name which he 
left to his family is more desirable than the wealth of the millionaire. 



DAVID PHILLIPS. 

Through more than a third of a century David Phillips has resided in 
.'"Southeastern Kansas. When a young man he came to Woodson County, 
and as the county has grown, developed and improved he has given his aid 
and co-operation to the movements which have advanced the general wel- 
fare and promoted the public prosperity and progress. He has been identi- 
fied with its farming and industrial interests and in public office has mani- 
fested his loyalty to the public good bj^ the faithful manner in which he 
has di^■charged the duties devolving upon him. Such in general has been 
his life work, but it is a pleasure to enter into a more detailed account of his 
career, knowing that it will be received with interest by his many friends 
and acquaintances throughout this portion of the state. 

Mr. Phillips was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, March 2, 1846. 
ni>: grandfather. James Phillips, was probably born in the same state and 
was of English lineage. By occupation he was a farmer, and he died about 
1865, at a very advanced age. His son. Charles L. Phillips, the father of 
our subject, was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, in 1807, and there 
spent his entire life, dying in 1875. He married Anne Gillespie, who was 
of Scotch lineage, and died in 1900, at the age of eighty-three years. Her 
mother was a member of the Dunnings family, prominent in Revolutionary 
times. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of eleven childen. 
namely: Miranda, deceased, wife of -John M. Danolds : George W., who 
served as a soldier in the Civil war and is now postmaster at Branchville, 
New Jersey: David; Elmira and Henry, who are living in Sussex County, 
New Jersey ; Andrew, of Morristown, that state ; Louise, wife of Julius 
Clark, of Tjeonia, New Jersey; Jessie, who died in that state; Belle, wife of 
William DeWitt, of Sussex County; Carrie, wife of E. Hopkins, of New- 
ark. New Jersey, and Charles, of South Branch, New Jersey. 

David Phillips was reared to farm life and pursued his education in 
the schools of the neighborhood and in the Beemer high .schools, after 



U- Al.I.hN A.N! 



which lu- eoiitimu'd his studies in t'hivei-ick. New York, on the Hudson 
river, luul nt New Milforil. Pennsylvania. He was twenty-one years of 
aire -when in 18(>7 lie left his home in the F>ast in order to try his fortune 
beyond tlie Mississippi, and in April of that year he arrived in Woodson 
County, locating in Owl Creek township with his cousin. James AV. Phillips. 
He afterward purchased laud on the creek and there carried on aErricultural 
pursuits tuitil his removal to Neosho Falls to assume the duties of sheriff 
of Woodson County to which ofiice he was electeii in 18G;i. Previous to 
this time he had taught two terms of school, one in Neosho Falls, heinsr the 
last teacher to conduct the school alone. He was installed as sheriff and 
capably discharged the duties of the office for one term, after which he 
served as under sheriff for Wm. Cozine while the county seat was located at 
Defiance. T'non leaving the sherift"'s office he became a teacher and mer- 
chant in Defiance, and in 1887 he engaged in the dairy business, which he 
has since followed. In 18!1:^ he removed from his farm on the old town 
site of Defiance and took up his abode at Yates Center. 

On the :V1 of April. 1878. Mr. Phillips was married to Emma Austin, 
who came to "\Vootison County in 1877 from Cortland. N. Y. She was 
born there in 1846, and is a daughter of Alvah Austin. The only sur- 
viving child of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips is a son. Wendell, who was born 
December 5. 187r>. The family are Episcopalians in their religious faith, 
and in his political belief Mr. Phillips is a Republican. He wns formerly 
a recognized leader in the ranks of his party in Owl Creek towniship. served 
there as trustee, and has always kept well informed on the issues of the 
day. political and otherwise. He is now accounted one of the highly re- 
spected residents of Yates Center, a man whom to know is to respect. 



FRANK H. BERNDSEN. 

FR-\NK H. BERNDSEN. who for twenty years has followed farm- 
ins in Owl Creek township. Woodson County, was born in Holland. 
September 2t>. 1844. and is a son of Herman H. and Elizabeth (Sherman) 
Berndsen, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father died in 
18'i4. at the age of thirty-five years, and his wife passed away in 1853. when 
also thirty-five years of age. They were the parents of seven children, 
but only two are now living, the younger being Mrs. Mary Iming. of 
Illinois. 

Frank H. Berndsen was brought to America by his parents in 1S47. 
when only three years of age. the family locating in Illinois, where he 
was reared and educated. He learned to speak, read and write both the 
English and Oernuiny languages, and in early life became familiar with 
the work of the farm. In 18(io. when twenty-one yeai-s of age. he responded 
to the call of his adopted country for aid, enlisting as a member of Com- 
pany F. One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Infantiy with which he served 
until the close of the war. 



WOOnSOX COrNTIES. kaxsas. 677 

Attev receiving- ;ni hoiun-ahlo ilist_'li;irge he returned to his lumie and 
with tlie money he had saved in the army he began niereliaudisiug in 
bamiansville. 111., where lie earried on husiness for ten years. That gave 
liini l:is start in life and since then he has steadily advanced on the high 
road of prosperity. In 18S1 he came to Kansas and purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of raw prairie land upon which he now resides, the place 
being located a mile south and one mile west of Piipia, in Owl Creek town- 
ship. The land is rich and productive and everything upon the farm is iu 
iTOod condition. In addition to the raising of grain he engaged in stock 
raising, making a specialty of cattle, horses and hogs, and for these he 
f.nds a I'eady sale on the market. 

While in Illinois, Mr. Berndsen was joined in wedlock to ^liss Mary 
Stroad, a native of Germany, and after they had resided in Kansas for 
eight ycjirs she was called to her final rest, dying on the 5th of September, 
1886, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving to the care of the husband their 
six children, namely: Harman IT.. Henjamin II., John II.. Frank H., 
Fred J., and Anna E. On the I'^th of September. 1887. Mr. Herndsen was 
again married, his secoiul union being with (iesiua Heidothing. a native (!)f 
Oerniany, a widow with one daughter, Agnes Eixler. They are well 
known in the connnunity where they reside and are highlj' esteemed by 
their friends. Mr. Berndfen is a Democrat in his political views and is 
a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit association, in which he carries 
one thousand dollars iusuraiu'C, while two of his sons each carry a lil^e 
amotnit. Me has found Kansas not only a pleasant place of residence but 
a profitable lield of labor, giving a free return for unflagging industry 
when guided by sound business .iudgment.. 



T1U)MAS T. DAVIS, 

In business circles in Yates Center the name of Thomas T. Davis is a 
familiar one. for through fifteen years he has been proprietor of a meat 
marlvet here and is accounted one of the reliable merchants of the place. 
He was born in Wales. July 20, 18()'2, and when three years of age was 
brought to America by his fathei-, who with his family left Wales for the 
new world and took up his abode in Braidwood, Will County, 111., where 
he yet makes his home. He is a coal miner by occupation. He married 
.\nn (Iwynn, and unto them were born the following named: Thomas 
T. : Mary A.: Margaret, of Braidwood, 111., Mary A., wife of Thomas Huf- 
ford. of Holdridge, Nebraska ; Elizabeth and William, of braidwood. 

I\lr. Davis, of this sketch was leared in his parents' home in Braidwood 
and attended the public schools there. ac(|uiriug a good counnon school 
education that well fitted him for the practical duties of business life. 
When about fourteen years of age he began earning his own living as a 
farm hand, being thus employed until eighteen years of age when he 



(.-- HISTORV OK ALI.EN' AND 

began working iu a meat market in Braichvood. His first independent 
venture was the opening of his marlwt in Yates Center. He came here 
iii August. 188fi and p\irchased the meat market belonging to (i. W. Stewart 
and once the property of the firm of Taylor & Stewart. Since that time 
lu' has carried on business with ever increasing success. He at first had but 
limited capital, but his trade constantly giew and his earnest desire to 
l)U'ase. his courteous treatment, his reasonable ])rices and his honorable 
dealing have secured to him a continuance of the lihei'al patronage which 
was soon accorded him. 

Mr. Davis was married in Yates Centei', November 29,188!) to Miss 
Hester, daughter of Enoch MeB. Newcom, of Garden City, Kas.. but 
formerly of Tennessee. Mr. aiul Mrs. Davis now have two living childien. 
William T. and Leoti. Tn his political views he is a stalwart Republican, 
having been reared in that faith by his father, who warmly espoused the 
party. Mr. Davis has served as a member of the city council of Yates 
Center and made a commendable record as a city official. Socially he is 
identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is now past chancellor 
of Yates Center lodge. As a business man. citizen and public officer he 
takes liigh rank. He is a man of pleasing personality, sympathetic and 
helpful, and his friends are many and steadfast. 



LOGAN W. WRIGHT. 

LOGAN W. WHKiHT was born in Pettis County, ;Mo.. on the l!)tli 
of Januar}% 186:3. a son of Thomas J., born in Ky.. January 8, 1840. and 
Martha (wmbree) Wright, born March 4. 1839. They were married May 
18. 1856 in Cooper County ;\Iissouri. Mr. AVright died March 13, 1873. and 
his widow is now living in Los Angeles county, California. 

Of their six children, Logan \V. "Wright is the second in order of 
birth. On his father's farm he followed the plow, assisted in the planting 
and also aided in harvesting the crops when the sununer's sun had ripened 
the grain. The educaticmal privileges which he enjoyed were those afforded 
by the common schools. In 1882 he came to Woodson County, locating on 
a farm, and during the greater part of the time which has .since elapsed 
he has followed agricultural pursuits, although for a brief period he was 
connected with mercantile interests iu lola. 

On the 12th of September. 1880. ]\Ir. Wright w-as joined in wedlock 
If Miss Mary Purcell. who was born iu Benton County, Missoui-i. February 
4, 1865, and is the only daughter of J. M. and Lucinda Purcell. now of 
Piqua, Kas. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm 
uhere they resided until 1889. In that year they removed to lola, where 
Mr. Wright became interested in the grocery business as a member of the 
firm of Munger & ^Yright. After about four months he purchased his part- 
ner's interest and conducted the enterprise alone for a short time, when 



"WOODSON COL'N'ril-:s. KANSAS. 679 

i^ie S()lcl out to the finii of Piirc<^ll & Son. During this period Mrs. "Wright 

■•carried on a millinery business in lola, but after a year her health having 

failed she was coiniielled to sell her stock, and they return-ed to the farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. AVi'ight have one child. Lillie. an interesting young lady 

of eighteen years, who is now in .'■chool, and will soon complete her educa- 
tion. Their home is pleasantly situated two miles west of Piqua, where 

T\Ir. AVright is now engaged in farming and stock raising. He has eighty 
acres of well improved land, and to its- further development he is giving his 

•attention, th-e place yielding a good fompctence in return .for his labors. 



FRANK H. WRIGHT. 

One of the enterprising, practical and intelligent young farmers of 
Woodson County is the gentleman whose name begin;; this review. He 
vas born in Blanchester. Clinton Comity. 0.. on the 31st of May, 1866, a 
son of John M. and Elizabeth (McAdams) Wright, the former a native of 
the Buckeye state, while the latter was born in Indiana. The father's 
death occurred in Ohio, in 1876, when he had attained the age of sixty- 
three years, nine months and twenty-seven days, Init the mother is still liv- 
ing at the age of seventy-seven years, her home being in Morrowtown. 0. 

Their only child is Frank H. Wright. As his parents were in limited 
financial resources, he had to begin to earn his own livelihood when ten 
years of age and has since been dependent entirely upon his own efforts. 
Tie worked at whatever he could get to do until fifteen years of age when 
T.e entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the millwright's trade. He had 
lo furnish his own tools and carried the hod for a time in order to get the 
Dioney M'ith which to make the purchase. Possessing considerable natural 
mechanical ingenuity and applying himself closely to his work, he soon 
mastered the business, became an expert in that line and after two years 
was made foi-eman. Since that time he has had no difficulty in command- 
ing good positions and high wages in that line. He has constructed mills 
in about twenty different .'tates of the Union, including Indiana, Illinois, 
Iowa and Kansas. The last work of the kind which he did was in putting 
in the machinery of the lola Brick Plant. No. 2. 

Mr. Wright also learned the miller's trade and at one time was half 
<)\\'ner in a large flouring iiiill in Indiana. In 1890 he came to Kansas and 
|)urchased an interest in a mill owned by D. W. Finney, at Neosho Falls, 
but after a year he sold out and returned to Warsaw. Indiana, where he 
entered a drafting office. Again in 1893, however, he came to Neosho Falls 
and operated Colonel Parsons' mill. He became one of the best draughts- 
man in that service and commanded large wages, but becoming tired of 
that life he concluded to try farming, and in 1895 purchased one hundred 
jind thirty-five acr-es of heavy timber land, three miles above the Falls on 
jhe river bank. Not a tree had been cut or a furrow turned at the time 



6So irfSlt)RV Of-' Al.LE'M A'^nT 

fie eauii' into possession of the place, but by indefatigable energy and close 
attention to blIsincs^^ he has transformed the place into one of the best 
farms in the vall(>y. Already he has cleared one hundred and ten acres, 
rt'hich he has undei- cultivation. He has previously raised corn and po- 
tatoes, but now as the stump;- have been cleared from many of the fields 
he will utilize the land for wheat laising. lie has employed as many as 
seventy-live mm in a siiit;le day in cutting timber and preparing the land 
for the plow, giving careful direction and supervision to their labors. Many 
good po itions have been offered him in the line of architect work and 
.setting up maehinery, but all of these he has declined, having resolved in 
give his undivided attention to the work of the farm. 

Mr. Wright was mariicd in Marion County. Indiana in 1888. to Miss 
Eliza Winslow. a native of (Jraiit County. Indiana, and a most estimable 
lady. Tl:eir union has been blessed with one child. Hugh ^I.. born De- 
ci'iiibcr 2'-^. 1890. In his politic;il views Mr. Wri^^hl is a Ripublican. anti 
while he keeps well informed on the issues of the da.y he has never been an 
aspirant for otifice. His busine.s clai;ns his undivided attention, and his 
fine farm is a substantial monunieiit of his enterpi'ise and thrift. Few men 
starting in life at the tender age of fen years and receiving no assistance 
whatever as the decades have passed have achieved as creditable success ns 
Mr. Wri<rht has dnno. 



OKORGE .MKNTZER. 

the veteran soldier who risked his life in defense of the flag, all 
things ebe being etjual, takes high rank as a citizen. This may be partly 
because of the quality of the patriotism of the American public, but there 
is another reason for the pre-eniiiienee of the veteran. The man who has 
the form of character to win distinction as a ' faithful defender of his 
(:;ountry possesses the resourceful perseverance so necessary to success in 
Other fields, and this is abundantly verified in the life of George Mentzer, 
who loyally followed the starry baniicr during the Civil war and is now 
(iiie of the enter])rising and prosperous agriculturists of AVoodson county. 
i\here he has made his home since 1869. 

A native of St owe. Massachusetts, he was bcn-n June 12, 18:18, and is 
■i son of I'hillip A. and Orinda (l\liles) Mentzer. The father, a native 
of Germany., died in Massachusetts in 1844. ami his widow was buried by 
the side of her husband on the old home place in the Bay state. They had 
kii children, but only three are now living: Rufus, of Ft. Morgan, Colo- 
rado; Mrs. Sarah A. Green, of Boston. iMassaehusetts, and George of this 
review. 

The last named was reared in his native village until sixteen years 
of age. when he emigrated to Illinois and became a farm hand, being 
employt'tl '" t''«^ capacity for about two years. He then went to Chicago, 



"VOdDSdN COtrNTiKS, l-CA^MSAS. 68i 

-ivhere he secured a situation as clei-k in a grocery stoi-e, ako acting as as- 
sistant in a butchering establishment. U|)on leaving the city he returned to 
Massachusetts to visit his mother and while there he learned the trade of 
it comb maker, the combK being manufactured from the horns of cattle, 
lie also improved his literary education by attending school. He was still 
in his native state when the Civil war broke out and there he enlisted as a 
member of Company C. Twenty-fourth jMassachusetts infantry, which was 
sent to Annapolis and on to North Carolina and thence to South Carolina, 
being disehai'ged in front of Pe+ersl)urg, Virginia. Among the important 
engagements in which he participated were the battles of Roanoke Is- 
land, Newherne, White Hall Goldsboro, Kingston. Bermuda Hundred 
and Pe*^enburg. He did duty in front of the Rebel fort which was blown 
up by a Penn.sylvania regiment. In all of his three years' service he was 
jiever wounded, but was always found at his post of duty faithfully de- 
icnding the starry banner— the emblem of an undivided union. 

When the war was ended Mr. Mentzer I'eturned to Massachusetts and 
spent the STicceeding winter in Boston, after which he turned his attention 
to farming. He then again made his way to Illinois, where, prior to the 
war, he had aided in establishing the fii-st hotel in Kewaunee. He re- 
n.ained a resident of Henry county and was engaged in the butchering 
luisiness until 18fi9, when he came to Woodson county, Kansas, settling on 
section six. Center townshij). where he has nnce made his honre, his labors 
l)eing given to the improvement of his farm. He now has a rich tract of 
h'.nd. the alluvial soil yielding good harvests for the work bestowed upon 
it. 

In Henry county, Illinois, l\Ii'. IMent/er was united in marriage to Mi.'s 
Timeline IMinnick, a daughter of John Minnick, a Pennsylvania German, 
vlio had a family of tive daughters and one son. The wedding of Mr. and 
Mrs. Mentzer was celebrated on the 1st of January, 1867, and they are 
now the parents of eight children, as follows: Charles O.. who married 
Nettie Wells: John F.. who married Anna Wells: Susie May: Henry A.; 
Phillip E., who is now a student of the S+ate Agricultural College of Kan- 
sas: Ernest E. : Clara E. and Clarence A. Although the Mentzer family 
liave usually been Republicans, George Mentzer cast his first presidential 
vote for the Democratic nominee in 1860. and is now a Prohibitionist. He 
Ixlieves most firmly in the abolishment of the liquor traffic through acts 
nf legislation, and he is the type of citizens who support all measures to 
■advance the moral welfare of the communitv. 



GEORGE GROGMAN. 

The histoi-y of mankind is replete with illustrations of the fact that 
it is only under the pressure of advei'sity and the stimulus of opposition 
Ih.at the Iwst and sti'ongest in men is brought out and develo[)ed. Per- 



6.S2 insFoKV Of AULKN' .\i\Tj' 

haps tin- lii::toiy nf no jn-aple so forcibly impirsst^s one with this truth as- 
tlu' annals of our own lepublic. If anythinyr f«in inspire the youth of our 
country to persistent, honest and laudable endeavor it should be the lil>; 
record of siu-h men as he of whom we write. Thrown upon his own re- 
sourees at the early age of twelve years he has since depended entirely 
i:pou his individual labor fcu' whatever he has had or enjoyed in life, 
rtnd nov.- in return for his diligence and enterpri.se he is enjoying not only 
the nia'erial reward but also the esteem and confidence of those among 
vhoni he has lived and worked. As proprietor of a hardware establish- 
indit in Pi()ua aiul as postmaster of the tiAvn, he is well known to the 
eitizens of AVoodson county. 

'Sir. Orogman was born in Baden, (iermany, on the 14th of Xovomber, 
If^'iO. and is a son of Henry (irogman. who in 18;")2. started with his family 
for the TT^nited States . On the Atlantic the wife and mother died, leaving 
five children, three of whom are yet living— Ilenr.y. who is married and 
fives in Picpia : John W. and (Jeorge. also of the same place, f^aiuling at 
New York the father and his children continued their journey across the- 
eonntry until they ari-ived in Clinton county, Illinois, where Mr. Grog- 
man died a few years later. 

In Clinton county. Illinois and in St. Louis. Missouri, the subject of 
(his review spent the liays of his boyl ood and youth. Having no one t» 
assist him his advantages were necessarily limited, but he was ambitious 
t-i learn and while clerking in stores in St. Ijouis through the day, he de- 
voted his evenings to study in night schools. For thirteen years he held 
the position of foreman of the registry division in the St. Louis post- 
office and then resigned on aceount of ill health. He thus had in charge 
one of tlie most important divisions of the postal service, and his long con- 
tinuation in the po; ition proves conclusively his fidelity to duty and his 
'■ s t reme f a i t h f nl ness. 

In 1888 Mr. (irognuin came to l'i<iua. Kansas, ami purchased of John 
J. Hari-i.son a hardware and implement business, which lie has since con- 
ducted. He also buys grains and seeds and both branches of the enter- 
pi-ise are proving profitable. His business methods are such as to increase 
his patronage and his trade has steadily grown. Difficulties and ob.staeles 
in his path have seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort and 
his determined, resoliile will has stood him instead of capital. 

In St. liouis. iMissouri. on the 17th. of November, 1874, Mr. (irogman 
was united in marriage to Miss Carie Spoeri. and unto them have been born 
eight children: Helen, the wife of Joseph Spiegelhalter. of St. Louis; 
William E., of Humboldt. Kansas; Frank; Julia, who is living in St. 
Louis; Hora ; Lulu; Ollie and Florence. The family have a wide acciuaint- 
ance in Piqua and the members of the household occupy an enviable posi- 
tion ill social circles. In his political views Mr. (irogman has always 
been a stalwart Republican, attends county conventions and is active in 
the work of the party. For the past ten years he has continuously served 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 6S3 

as postmaster of Pi(iua. his experience in St. Loi;is well qualifying him for 
the position which he is now so acceptably filling. Trustworthy in public 
office and reliable in business he enjoys public confidnee in a high degree 
and the warm personal regard of many friends. 



EDWARD GRUBBS. 

A life of indefatigable industry has brought to Edward Grubbs the 
competence which now classes him among the substantial citizens of Wood- 
sou county. He was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on the lOlh of 
December, 1832, and represents one of the old families of that state. His 
father, John M. Gnibbs, was also born there, and the grandfather. Ec- 
ward Grubbs, Sr., was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to the 
Hoosier state during the period of its primitive development. There he 
rtared his family and after arriving at years of maturity, John M. Grubbs 
married Eliza Lunger, a native of New Jersey. In 18.54 he removed to 
Iowa, but after a year returnd to Indiana. While upon the trip he w^s 
taken ill and died soon after reaching his old home, passing away in 1856, 
at the age of fifty-five years. His wife died in 18.58. Eleven children, 
all sons, were born unto them, the subject of this review being the second 
in order of birth. 

Edward Grubbs was reared in Indiana and ac(iuired a common- 
.school education. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life 
he chose Mii^s Susan Brown, their marriage being celebrated September 10, 
1851. She is a native of North Carolina. Her parents died when she 
was very small, so she never learned anything of the family history. She 
was taken to Ohio by a family named Tuttle and afterward went to live 
with a family by the name of Bonham with whom .she remained until she 
a'tained to womanhood. 

After their marriage J\Ir. and Mrs. Grubbs secured employment on 
;\ farm, the former working in the fields, the latter performing the duties 
of the household. After a year thus passed they went to live with his 
grandfather, Edward Grubbs. with whom they remained a year, when our 
subject ren+ed a farm in Ohio, operating it for two years. In 1854 he re- 
moved to Iowa, and in 1859 went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, to engage in 
uiining, but not finding that a profitable ventiire he returned to Iowa in 
•July of the same year, continuing to make the Hawkeye state the place 
of his abode until 1860. In that year he again went to Indiana and for a 
year worked as a farm hand, after which he leased and operated a farm for 
five years, but believing he could improve his financial condition in the 
\vest where lands were cheaper, he went to Bates coimty, Missouri, in 1868, 
working there by the month for a year and a half. 

In the fall of 1869 Mr. Grubbs came to Woodson county and se- 
i-iu-cd a homestead of eighty acres on Cherry creek. For fourteen years 



6iH4 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXIi 

\\o eulliva'ed tlii' fields and improved the [)laee al^i .u-iiui-d in stoek- 
raisinir. lie then traded that farm for some timber land on the Neosho 
river, one mile noi-thwest of Xiosho Falls, wl^eie he now owns a valuable 
tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres. The rich, alluvial soil pro- 
duces excellent crops in return for his eidtivation, and his wheat and 
cornfields form a most atti'active feature in the landscape. He raises 
about thirty-five bushels of wheat to the acre. Upon the place is a good 
rtsidence. substantial barn and other modern improvements, and evei\v- 
thiivi' about th.e [)laee indicates thrift and progre^'s. At one time he was 
in debt two thousand dollars, but le raised corn, cleared olT the indebted- 
nrss throujrh the sale of tliat jiroduct and is now in very comfortable cir- 
cumstances. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Orubbs have been born .<even children, namely: 
Bailey G.. who is now living in Oklahoma territory: Eliza, wife of J. D. 
Newcoiiib. of Oklahoma : Ward Beeeher, who is living in Cherokee county: 
]\Ii's. Pearl Jones, who resides in Neosho Falls: Fmma fttovali. who died in 
Oklahoma, leaving five children : Tjisetta and Laura, who died in infancy. 
If the parents both survive until September. 1901, they will celebrate 
the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. They are people of genuine 
worth, of high moral character and are .iustly entitled to the esteem in 
which they are held. Years of earnest labor, eventually crowned with 
)>rosperity— such is the epitome of the life of Edward Orubbs. and in 
this respect his career is certainly worthy of enmlation. 



WILLIAM KEES. 

WILLI.XM KEES. a well known representative of the farming inter- 
ests of Woodson county, residing in Neosho Palls township, was born in 
Washing county. Pennsylvania, February 4. 183:^, and has the distinction 
of being descended from two Revolutionary heroes, both his paternal and 
niaternal grandfather having served in the war of independence. The 
f( rmer owned the land upon which the town of McKeesport. Pennsyl- 
vania, was built, aiul the place was named in his honor. David Kees. the 
father of oui- sub.icct, was also a native of the state and there resided 
until 1858, M'hen he removed to Iowa, where he spent the residue of his 
days. He was called to his final rest in 1895. when he had attained the 
very venerable age of ninety-two years. His wife had passed away in ISSS. 
when eighty-four years of age. They were the parents of six children, 
four of whoin are yet living: David Jr.. surgeon of the Civil war: Wil- 
bam; John, a drnggi.st in Creston, Ta.. and Catherine, of Agency. Ta. 

William Kees. the second in order of birth pursued his education in 
the schools of his native state and resided with his parents until they 
were called to the home beyond. He accompanied them to Towa in 18n8 
and cared for them throughout their declining years, rendering them filial 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 685 

Oevotion iu i-etuni i'or what they had done for him in youth. lie was 
li-ai-ried in 1871 to Miss Emily McKeown, a native of Bradley county, 
Teune.-.see. born in 1847. Her father, I. L. McKeown, was a native of 
North Carolina and married ]\Iatilda Reynolds, whose birth occurred in 
'iennessee. to which state lier husband had removed in early manhood. 
They had thi'ee children: Sarah A.; Mrs. Kees, and Livonia Watkins, 
who is now living in Agency, Iowa. The father, who was born in 1818, is 
still living in Agency at the age of eighty-two years, makijig his home 
Avith his daughter. His wife died in 1895, at the age of seventy-one 
years. They had been residents of Iowa since 1865 . Mr. McKeown served 
f(ir three years in the Union army with a Missoui'i regiment aud was on 
one occasion badly hurt by being thrown from his horse in battle. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kees continued to reside on the 
old homestead farm in Iowa until after the death of his parents. When 
tlie father passed away our subject inherited one of his farms. His own 
htalth having become impaired his physician advised him to seek a change 
oi' climate where he would not have to undergo the rigoi-ous winters of 
Iowa and accordingly he came to Kansas, settling upon the farm which 
i»: now his home. He sold his property in Iowa and purchased here two 
hundred and forty acres of land, pleasantly and conveniently situated 
about two and a half miles north of Piqua. His health has greatly im- 
proved and in his business affairs he has prospered, his time being given 
tr general farming aud stock-raising. The fields are well tilled and bring 
lO him a good financial return for his labors, and the pasture lands af- 
ford excellent grazing opportunities for stock. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kees has been blessed with three chil- 
dren: Lois, now the wife of Albei't Bailey, of Allen county; Arthur and 
Ethyl, who are at home with their parents. The son has charge of the 
farm thus relieving his father of much care and responsibility. The 
family have a wide acquaintance in the county and the parents and chil- 
li len enjoy the high esteem of many friends. Mr. Kees is a Democrat 
in his political affiliations aud the support which he gives to the party 
aiises from a belief in its principles and not from a hope of the rewards 
of office holding. 



MICHAEL REEDY. 

The late IMiehael Reedy, whom, as a citizen and gentleman, all Wood- 
si. n county was pleased to honor, was one of the historic characters of the 
ecunty which he helped to settle and where he spent nearly thirty-five 
years of his useful and honorable life. Although of humble origin and 
with discouragements and adversities surrounding him in early life he was 
born to surmount them and to lead in the march of progress and not only 
"to be but to do'' in the acts of men. 



6S6 HISTORY OF AI.I.EN AND 

It l:as Ix'i'ii siiiil that .Michael Keeily came to Woodson county shod 
with one boot and one shoe. If this is true he was even fortunate then, 
foi- he walked from Kansas (."ity to Woodson county in eonseciuenee of his 
trrcat poverty. It is indicative of his character to state that what he was 
seeking was the oppoi'tunity to build a home and win an honorable exist- 
ence for his family by the sweat of his face. It was in June, 1857, that he 
reached his destiiuition. tiled on his honitstead in section seventeen and 
thereby began lis civil connection with the affairs of Woodson county. 
He was dire<!ted by a cotintryman of his native land to the Owl Creek 
settlements, upon reaching Wyandotte with his family, and he left the 
latter at the mouth of the Kaw river while he should be absent on his 
long lonely and important journey. 

Michael Keedy was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1834. In 
1847 his father Michael Keedy, brought his family to America and stoi)ped 
for a time in Steuben County. New York. He worked at common l.ibor 
about Campbelltown for many years and late in life went with his children 
into Bureau county. Illinois, and" there died. His five sons and two 
daughters were : John, of Tiskilwa. 111. : ^lary. deceased, who married 
Michael O'Brien, an old citizen of Wood.son county; Michael, our sub- 
.ioct: Thomas, who died in Ottawa, 111.: Ellen, who became the wife of 
John Elmendorf and resides in Humboldt. Kansas; James, died in Tis- 
kilwa, 111., and William, died in same place. 

The marriage of Mr. Rtedy occurred, first, at Caiiii)bellfown. New 
York. His wife was IMary Whalen, born in County Limerick, Ireland. 
She shared her husbaiui's hardships and was an invaluable aid and sup- 
pcrrt in his pioneer years in Woodson coun*y. She bore him ten children 
and died in February. lS7fi. The children surviving are; Ella, widow 
o'' Michael Crahan : Elizabeth: Willam: James: Mary, wife of Thomas 
Landers; Kate, wife of John Smith and Michael. In April 1877 Mr. 
Iifeedy married Ella, a daughter of Thomas and Johaniui (Kissane) Col- 
lins. The parents were both born in Ireland, and their chldren were: 
Mike, Dan. Tim, Thomas. William, Mary, Kate. Maigaret, Johanna and 
Ella. By his second marriage Mr. Reedy was the father of three children, 
surviving: Thomas. John and Myrtle. 

When IMichael Keedy undeitook to establish hini.self as a settler in 
Woodson county none, perhaps, did so with greater financial enibarra.ss- 
n-ents that he. He possessed the provei'bial poor man's "ox team" and 
v.ith it and the most primitive accompaniments, he began the work of 
in. proving and developing a Kansas farm. His success was at first some- 
what varied but as nature became subdued the soil yieldinl abundantly to 
his industrious toiu'h and he made rapid strides toward financial inde- 
pendence. Periodically he annexed, by purchase, tract after tract of 
bind luitil his domain was nearer the area of an old English estate than 
a Kansas farm. He was ever and always a man of business. His industry 
was as marked when in the en.ioyment of affluence as when he was pushed 



"\VOODSON CorNTIES. KANSAS. GS'^ 

^along by the deniaiicU; of necessity. His success never "turned his head." 
"lie was the same common, approachable and sympathizing farmer in the 
height of his achievements as when a modest tiller of the soil in the early 
days of Kansas. He took an interest in things political as well as material, 
and was one of the eliiefs of Democracy in Woodson county for many years. 
Hewas named for county commissioner and was elected, as a Delnocrat, in 
18(i5. He served one term and acquitted himself with honor to the county 
:and with credit to himself. Tn 1871 he was one of three candidates for the 
legislature and was defeated by a tinall plui'ality. 

JMilce Reedy became a permanent settler in AYoodson county in 1858 
and from that da'e until his death. January 13, 1892, he was a loyal, 
devoted and God-fearing American. He loved Kansas, her institutions 
and her people. He reared his family well and tauglit them to practice 
industry and to love virtue and honor. His life was not full of years but 
was filled with good deeds, when il was ended, and none that knew him liut 
regretted his taking awav. 



LOUIS C. XEIMAXX 

LOniS C. N'lE'MAXX, who is engaged in general merchandising and 
'11 shipi)ing and dealing in grain at Piqua. Kansas, was born in St. Louis, 
IMissouri, Xovember 6, 18fil. His father, Frederick A. Xiemann. was a 
jiative of Pru.ssia and on coming to America engaged in merchandising in 
St. Louis in which city he passed his remaining years. His widow, nee 
•Johanna Lemke, is the wife of Benjamin Koetter resides in Clinton county, 
Illinois. Her children are: Julius: Louis C. : Lizzie, wife of Joseph 
Krcimer. Maggre, wife of (Jeorge Kulm ; Annie, wife of George Dulle, and 
"Teresa, widow of Christian Dummert. of Clinton county, Illinois. 

Louis C. Niemann spent the first fourteen years of his life with his 
mother and went then to live with an uncle, H. H. Heimann, at Aviston. 
III. He remained with that relative until he had attained his ma.jority after 
~^vhich he started out on an independent career. In 1884 he came to Wood- 
son countj'. Kansas, and located in Piqua. joined in forming the firm of 
jNlarkus and Niemann which was succeeded by the firm of Niemann and 
Grogman. At present Mr. Niemann is conducting his business alone and 
is enjoying a prosperous era. He makes extensive purchases and his ship- 
ments of grain and produce are large and contribute much toward his 
merited success. 

]\Iay 18. 1886. Mr. Niemann was married in Humboldt. Kansas, to 
IWaggie Santen. a daughter of Mrs. Annie Santen. and imto them have 
been born five children. Annie and Frances, alone .surviving. Mr. and 
IMrs. Niemann are well known in the Piqua community and their circle of 
friends is enlarging as the number of their acquaintances increase. 

Mr. Niemann srives his undivided attention to his business affairs. 



HTsrORV UV ALXltTff AJJTT 



Kiimvintr that persistent puipose and diligence form the ba^is of prosperity:, 
and by adherence to correct business principles, he is providing well for his' 
f.iinily and is gaining a comfortable competence which classes him among 
t.i.e well-to-do citij.ens of his adopted county. 



\V1LLIAM F: MAKPLE. 

WILLIAAI F. 5IARPLE, who follows fanning in Woodson county, 
owning and operaiing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center 
U.wnship. was boi n in Ohio county. West Virginia, on the "JGth. of June, 
1833. Ilis father. Uavid Mai'ple, was born in Frederick county Virginia, 
and was of English lineage, his ancestors, however, having resided in the 
Old Dominion through many generations. David Marple followed farm- 
ing as a life occiipation. He married Elizabeth Watkius, who is still living 
ai the age of eighty-eight years, her home being in Bureau county, Illinois. 
In their family were eight childien .five of whom are yet living, our snb- 
,jfCl being the elde. t. 

Upon a farm William F. Maij)k' was reartd, and through the sum- 
mer season he worked in the fields while in the winter months he pursued 
his education in the district schools. He was in California from 1853 until 
1856, ero:sing the plains from Omaha, Nebraska, but returning by the 
water route to New York. While on tlie Pacific coast he engaged in min- 
ing and had many interesting expeiienees but obtained little gold. In 
18()4 he went to Montana, wheie he engaged in prospecting, remaining 
fi:ere for eighteen months. With the exception of those two intervals 
pa.ssed in the west and northwest, he resided during the years of his man- 
hood in Bureau county, Illinois, until his removal to Woodson county in 
1872". He brought with him a team, wagon and a few eows, together with 
his household etfects. and locating on a tract of land he began farming. 
During ten years of his residence in the county he engaged in the hard- 
ware business, chiefly in Yatts Cenler. and in 1800 lie took up his abode on 
.section eight, township twenty-five, range fifteen, where he has since made 
his home. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is now 
Uiider a high state of cultivation. 

In 1859, in Bureau county. Illinois, Mr. Marple was married to Miss 
Sarah F. Dutro. a daughter of (leorge Dutro, and their children are: Eva, 
wife of E. iM. Kirkbridge. of Sedalia, Colorado; Annie, wife of Fred Shenk. 
of Yates Center; Ennna, wife of F. E. Wharton, also of Yates Center; 
Frank, who is living in the ^aine place: Joseph R.: Andrew G., and Edna, 
who are still with theii- parents. Mr. Marple has the home farm under a 
high state of cultivation. He is a very thrifty agriculturist, recognizing 
the fact that diligence is the foundation of all prosperity. In politics he 
has been a Ke]iublican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. 
Fremont and his faithful and capable manner of discharging his duties of 
c'tizenship lenders him one of the valued residents of the coinmnnity. 



TvOO'DSON COrNTIES. KANSAS. 6S9 

JA.MES M. PURCELL. 

JAIMES i\I. I'UKCELL, whow' beautiful home iu Piqua stands as a 
.'•monunient to the enterpi-ise. industry and business ability of the owner, is 
now actively eonnte'ed with commercial interests of the city as a dealer in 
hay and grain. He is also a representative of its real estate interests, and 
through the promotion of his own industries he has also advanced the 
general M-elfare. for the prosperity of every town and city depends upon 
its commereial activity. An honored man and a leading and influential 
^citizen, he well deserves mention among the i-epresentative residents of 
Woodson county. 

For nineteen years lie has made his home in this section of Kansas, 
•eoming hither from Missouri. He was born in Marion county, Illinois. 

on the 26th of October. 1842. His grandfather Pureell, was of 

Irish lineage and some of his sons served in the battle of Tippecanoe and 
i. the Indian warfare for they were early settlers of the Missis'^-ippi val- 
ley when the red men still held partial dominion in the middle portion 
cf the country. Andrew Pureell, the father of our subject, was boi-n in 
Indiana, near Vincennes, and became a farmer by occupation. He spent 
the greater part of his life in Indiana and Illinois, biit died near Perry, 
Oklahoma, on the 15th. of November, 1900. at the ag'e of eighty-nine 
j'tai-s. "Wliile in central Missouri, he served for s(mie time as a mail con- 
ti actor. In ante bellum days he was a staunch Wliig, and when the Re- 
publican party was organized he became one of its most loyal siipporters, 
continuing to advocate its pi'incinles until his demise. He wedded ]\Iary 
Kay, whose father was from Kentucky. l\Irs. Pureell died in Piqua. Kan- 
-sas. July '^. 1890, at the age of seventy-five vears. Her children were: 
Angeline. deceased wife of Marion Rives; Janies M. : Sarah, vrife of W. M. 
Robinson, of Oklahoma : Mary A., wife of Andrew Johnson, of Oklahoma : 
■Oeorge. of Sedalia. IMisfouri. 

James M. Pureell spent the first eight years of his life in the state 
o ' his nativity and then aceoinpanied his father on his removal from Illi- 
nois to Fort i\Iadison. Iowa. In 1853 the family went to Benton county, 
iMifsouri. and subsequently Mr. Pureell was a resident of Pettis county, 
that state. His educational privileges were somewhat limited, but in the 
l)roader school of experience he has learned many important lessons of 
great practical value in the business world. Entering upon an inde- 
■pendent career he began farming on a small scale, but gradually extended 
the field of his operatioTis. In 1882 he came 1o Woodson county, locating 
two miles west of Piqua. He purchased almost a section of land here, 
and throughout the entire period of his residence in Kansas has engaged 
in the stock business, the enterprise bringing to him a high degree of sue- 
cfss. Af his financial resources have increased he has added to his origi- 
Tal purchase until he now owns eleven hundred and eighty-seven acres, 
about half of M'hich is devoted to the raising of hay. For six years hie 
lias been extensively engaged in shipping and dealing in hay. and was the 



'H)u H"lS'fbkY Uh AI.LEX AS'O 

f)i <:ani2i'r di' the PiuccU Hay & (irain company, <if Piqiia. doing a larj^e 
Imsiniass in handlinK that product. He also owns much property in Piqua,. 
inclndinji imth inip'oved and unimproved proi)erly and deals in real estate, 
luakiuiT .judicious investments and pi-ufitable sales. His business policy has 
ever been Mich that purchasers in any line of his business become constant 
|jair<ius. 

On ihe 'JDili. of Januaiy, 186:^, Mr. Pureell was united in marriage tc 
Miss Lncindn J. Pcriruson, a daughter of Isaac S. Ferguson, who was a 
Kentucky farmer and married a Pennsylvania lady— Maria Wolf. They 
became the parents of four children, of whom two are now' living: Mrs. 
l^ircell and John, the latter now a resident of Benton county, Missouri, 
('•nlo Mr. and Jlrs. Pureell have hem born the following named: Mary, 
now tlie wife of Ijogan Wright: Shel'\v. who niarrieci and resides 
in Hannibal, Missouri; George, who wedded ^[arv Long; James, of Piqua, 
and J. B. 

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Purcell's ])atriotism prompted his en- 
listment in the Union army, and in February, 1862. he joined coiupany 
K, of the Seventh Missouri State Militia. He aided in recruiting tlie 
company and af'er serving for six months was honorably discharged on 
account of physical disability. After recovering his health he re-enlisted 
a? a member of company I. Forty-fifth Missouri infantry, under Colonel 
Weir, of Boonville. The regiment operated against Price in Missouri and 
later went to Nashville. Tennessee, where Mr. Pureell was engaged in 
guard duty. At Jefferson. Missouri, he very narrowly escaped being 
v.ounded or killed, having a boot heel and a button from his coat shot 
away. He continued at the front until the war was over. when, the country 
no longer needing his services, he returned to bis home. He now belongs 
t(» the Orand Army Post, at Neosho Falls, also to the Fraternal Aid 
.\ssociation and to the IMethodist Protestant cliurch. being class leader of 
the congregation. As a citizen he is loyal to every measure which he be- 
lieves will prove of general good and does everything in his power to 
benefit his city. In business he is most straightforward and reliable, fol- 
ii.wing upright principles not because he b°''pves that honesty is the 
best policy, but because he believes in doing right for I'ight's sake. H(> 
is certainly a man of firm jnirpose and nothing can deter him from follow- 
iiig what he thinks is the correct course. Among his friends and family he 
•s considerate, social and kindly and his home is not only one of the finest 
in Piciua, but also one of the most hospitable. 



WILLIAM REEDV 

AVILLIAM REEDY, of the firm of Lauber and Reedy, general mei-- 
chants in Yates Center. Kansas, is a son of the late Hon. Michael Reedy 
and was born in Woodson county December 8, 1860. He represents one of 



wooDsox countie;;, Kansas. 6.;i 

tlie prouiiuent and pioueer families of the county for his father made the 
preliminaiy arrangements for his permanent settlement here in June. 1857. 
(See history of jMichael Keedy.) The days of his youth and early man- 
hood were passed amid rural surroundings and in the free and healthful 
atmosphere of the farm. His education was contined to attendance upon 
the country school with one term at the Boys' h'chool in St. Paul, Kan- 
sas. HiK initial efforts were put forth, on taking up the responsibilities 
of real and serious life toward the promotion of the affairs of his father's 
large estate and a decade measured the time passed in rural pursuits after 
attaining his ma.jority. July 22, 18S2, he was nominated by the Demo- 
ciats and Peoples' party of his county for clerk of the district court and 
at the November elec.tion was chosen by the people by a majority of six 
votes. In 1894 he was renominated and was re-elected this time inci-easing 
his ma.jority one vote. He carried his home township by eighty ma.jority 
each election and his candidacy was sniificiently strong throughout the 
county to overcome the Republican ma.jority which was well known to 
the county in those days. The four years he served as a public officer 
nmrked .Mr. Reedy as a faithful and competent official. He gained an ex- 
I)erience and an acquaintance which has served him in good .stead as a 
jn-ivate citizen. 

Mr. Reedy engaged in the cattle business with Wm. H. Lauber on re- 
turning to civil life and their brief experience in this venture netted 
them a profit reasonable and commensurate with an earnest and honorable 
effort. In 1898 the same firm engaged in mercantile pursuits in the 
county fca*^ and in 1901 it dissolved partnership, Mr. Reedy retiring. 

-Tune 22. 1892. Mr. Reedy was married to Julia E. Feeney, a daughter 
of Martin and B.ridget (Connell) Feeney, well known farmers of M^ood- 
son county. The issue of this union is a son, John Martin Reedy, born 
November 3. 1893. 

As a business man and as a citizen Mr. Reedy is regarded highly in 
Woodson county. He has spent every year of his life within the borders 
o;' his native county and it is with pride that the old citizens have watched 
h'>i onward and upward business and social trend. His business methods 
are honorable, his views on moral questions are liberal and in his political 
affiliations and adherence he is as Democratic as modern Democracy can 
make one. 



THEODORE M. SLACK. 

.\ .^elf-made man who has been the architect of his own fortunes and 
h:is buiided wisely and well is Theodore Slack, who follows farming one 
mile north of Piqua. in Neosho Palls township. Woodson county. A native 
of Oliio. he was born in Henry county, that state, March 1. 1847. a son 
oT PiijI']) and Catherine (AVoolet) Slack, the former a native of New York 



6q2 mSTOKV f)F ALLKX AM) 

iiiid \hf latter of Maiyljiiid. Wlion a yoiiny; niati the fathor went to Ohio. 
He «i;s ;• mason by trade but in the Bnekeye state lie turned his attention 
In raiiiiiuii-. t'olh)\vin5; his ti-ade only after work of the farm was over for 
the season. In 18f)6 he removed to Illinois, and in 1884 came to Kansas, 
settling: in Woodson coiuity on a farm noi'th of Pi(|ua, where his death oc- 
cnii"d in 18fU. when he was seventy-five years of as.'e. His wife still sur- 
vives, n'ui at the ajre of eijrlity-four years. They were the parents of two 
sons, the brother of our subject bein^ James Slack. 

Theodore M. Shick. of this review, came to Illinois with his father in 
18f)6 and remained with him until twenty-four years of ao;e, when he 
started out upon an independent business career. For ten years he en- 
fiaged in the operation of rented hind, came to Ottawa. Kansas, in 1880. 
and to Woodson county in 188:?. and then made his first purchase, be- 
coming owner of a tract of eighty acres. As the years have passed he has 
added to this and his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and 
twenty acres. He began with a tract of raw prairie, which he has culti- 
vated and improved until it is oije of the most productive farms of this 
Iiortion of the state. He has a good residence on the place and has erected 
i. very large barn in which he can store a large amount of hay and which 
afTords ample shelter for his stock. lie handles horses, mules and cattle 
and realizes a good jirotit from his sales of stock, tlis corn and wheat 
crops also bring to him good returns and a bearing orchai'd keeps his table 
well supplied with fruits in season. 

In Illinois Mr. Slack was united in marriage to Miss xVmanda Beeler. a 
native of Illinois, and a daughter of Vinton R. and Mary (Ross) Beeler. 
Tier father was born in Maryland but when a young man went to Illinois 
where he met and married ]\[iss Ross, a native of that state. Unto our sub- 
icct and his wife have been born six children: IMary C. wife of Benjamin 
Draper, a resident of Woodson: Elmer, at home: John, who married Mary 
Heath and resides in Allen county: Charles, George and Arthur, who are 
also under the parental roof. In his political affiliations Mr. Slack is a Re- 
publican and is a wide-awake and progessive citizen, interested in all that 
effects the progress and prosperity of his township, county, state and 
nation. He is a very energetic farmer, reliable in all business transactions. 
With the exception of a small amount of money which his wife inherited 
from her father he has made through his own efl'orts all that he now pos- 
sesses. Instead of being content with conditions as they are. he is always 
seeking to improve his farm and his progressive methods and untiring labor 
have made his ]>lace one of the most attractive and desirable in the 
countrv. 



HARVEY W. FERREE. 

The qualities of character which command respect and esteem were 
strong within Harvev W. Ferree and therefore his death was the occa- 



WOODSON COUNTIKJi, KANSAS. 6y3 

sion of dei^j) regict in the eouDiiimity in wliich he lived. He became a resi- 
dent of Woodson county in 1879, localiug first on a farm six miles east of 
Yates Center but after six months he took up his abode in the .same town- 
ship, southeast of the county seat, on section three, township twenty-six, 
range sixteen. lie came fo Kansas for the purpose of securing cheap land 
and thus more readilj' obtaining a good home, making his way to this state 
from Adams county, Illinois. 

Mr. Feerree was born in Richfield township, that county, December 7, 
1854, and was a son of the Rev. Sanuiel G. Ferree who in early life was a 
farmer but afterward became a niini.ster. He went to Illinois at an early 
day and spent his acMve life in Adams and Pike counties. For three 
years he was in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion as captain 
and chaplain in a regiment of Missouri volunteers. He died in 1898, at 
the age of sixty-nine years. He was descended from an old Pennsylvania 
family of French lineage. The mother of our subject, prior to her mar- 
riage, was Almira Cleveland and was a representative of a New York 
family. Her children were Harvey W. and Wesley Lincoln, the latter a 
resident of Bureau county, Illinoi.«. 

In taking up the personal history of our subject we note that he 
spent his early life upon the home farm and pursued his education in the 
common schools with later opportunities for preparing for business life as 
a student in the Ceni City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois. After 
leaving that institution he entered the serivce of the Wabash Railroad 
Company as relief man and afterward secured a position with the firm of 
•Janren & Company, of Quincy, Illinois, with whom he remained for a 
year. He was afterward in a pai'tnership for a brief period, and in 1879 
he came to Kansas, devoting his attention to agi'icultural pursuits until 
1884, when he took up his abode in Humboldt and became bookkeeper 
for Harry Bragg, the well known hardware merchant, with whom he re- 
mained in that important capacity until his death. 

On the 28th. of February, 1876, Mr. Ferree was united in marriage, 
in Quincy. Illinois, to Miss Josie Hughes, a daughter of Colonel David W. 
Hughes, a native of Ohio, now residing in Vandalia, Missouri. He wedded 
Mary E. Easterday and ]\Trs. Ferree is their only child, i^'he was born 
December 23, 1850. and by her marriage became the mother of the fol- 
lowing children: Marvin E., born December 31. 1877; George W., who 
was born January 31, 1880, and wedded Mary Beckett; Margaret, born 
•June 15, 1882; Mary A., born October 30. 1884; Leon J., born September 
29, 1887; Rav and May, born May 1, 1890, and David H., born August -5, 
1892. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Ferree was a Republican but took no 
part in political woik, aside from voting for the candidates of his choice, 
iiis time being fully occupied with his business affairs. His reliability, and 
his fathfulness in every walk of public and private life won him the friend- 
ship of many, the regard of all. and his death, which occurred November 
28, 1895, was deeply and widely mourned. 



694 HISTOKV OF AI.r.F.N AM) 

JOHN LIGHT. 

JOHN LItiHT, who is minibered among the early settlers of AVoodsou 
c(.unt.v and is one of the honorable patriots of the Civil war, was born 
iii (Jernuiny, June 5, 1832. His father. John Light, was also a native of 
that country and there married Lizzie Meidendal, who died in Germany 
in 1861 at the age of seventy-four years. The father crossed the Atlantic 
in 1862. locating first in Chicago wl.ere he died at the age of eighty-two 
years. He has two sons and one daughter living: Fredei'ika, who makes 
her home in Cook county. Wilhelm and John, of this review. 

The last named resided in the fatherland until twenty years of age, and 
acquired his education in accordance with the laws of his country. Be- 
lieving that the New World would furnis-h better oj)f)ortunities to a young 
man impatient for advancement, he then crossed the briny cieep in the fall 
of 1855, locating in Chicago. Soon afterward he secured a situation as a 
larm hand and was thus employed in Illinois for two years. In 1857 he 
came with (iodfrey Weide to Kansas and through the succeeding year re- 
sided near Leroy, in Coffey county. In 1858 he came to Woodson county 
with ten dollars and ])urchased two hundred and forty acres of land on 
Turkey creek. Here he has made his home continuously for forty-two 
years, and in connection with farming, is engaged extensively in the rais- 
ing of sheep and cattle. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put 
aside all personal considerations to aid his country in the struggle to 
preserve the luiion, joining company G, of the Fifth Kansas volunteer cav- 
alry. He renudned at the front as a loyal soldier foi' three years and two 
months, and jrartieipated in the battles of Helena. Pine Blui^ and Little 
Kock. together with many other engagements of lesser importance. He 
then received an honorable di: charge at Leavenworth in 186-1 and returned 
t( his home in Woodson county. 

Mr. Tiight kept bachelor's hall till 1871, at which time he was married 
l(. Miss Minnie Miller, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1867 
ai;d resided in Iowa until 1870, when she came to Woodson county. Her 
death occurred in 1877, aiul a husband and three children were left to 
mourn her loss; the latter being, Ed, Bertha and Willie Light. For seven 
years subKCcpiently to his wife's death, Mr. Light remained unmarried, but 
ii 1884 was .ioined in wedlock to Elizabeth Klinkiuburg, a native of Ger- 
many, who came to America in 1882 and has since been a resident of Kan- 
sas. They now have two children, namely: Emil and t^'rederiek. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Light is a Republican and has filled 
the office of treasurer of his township. He is deeply interested in the suc- 
cess of the party, but has never aspired to official honors and emoluments, 
content to devote his time and energies to his business affairs in which he 
has met with signal success. He is familiar with the history of Kansas 
fiom its territorial days: has lived through the periods of hard times 
— the drouth of I860: the period of the Civil war, and through the grass- 
hopper scourge from 1868 until 187:1. but with marked perreverence he 



"ft'OODSON CbUN'f-iHS. KANSAS. 695 

n'.as e()iitim;ed his hibors and snoecss has erowned his efforts. As one of the 
honorable pioneers and ieadinii' fai'uiers of Woodson county, he certainly 
■Je:erves mention in this volume. 



FKED H. COXGEK. 

Nature ha.s provided bountifully in all seetif)ns of the et)untry op 
portunities for the a^quiiHjment of wealth by men who have the det<>r- 
miuation and •energ.y to labor with determined purpose. Kansas is pre- 
-ominently an agricultural state: its broad prairies afford excellent oppor- 
tunity, tlie rich land f-erving as fields and meadows while the verdant pas- 
tures make stock-raising a protitalile industry. It is along the lattei' line 
particularly that Mr. Conger has won his prosperity. He is one of the 
U fading stock-raisers in southeastern Kansas and his herd of .shorthorn cat- 
tle is unsurpassed. 

Mr. Conger was born in Calesburg. Kiiox county. Illinois, on tlie Ist 
:oi' April,' 1859, a son of Laurili C. and Amanda (Hasbrook) Conger, both 
natives of New York. The father was a farmer and stock raiser and 
luaidled large herds o^ cattle. In an early day he removed to Galesburg. 
Illinois, becoming one of its early settlers, and he witnes.sed its development 
from a mere hamlet to a thriving and prosperous city of large dimensions. 
In the spring of 1875 he went to Carroll county. Mis.souri. and was engaged 
ii' the stock bufiness in that state until his death, which occurred in 1893, 
vhen he was seventy- three years of age. His wife passed away in 1889, at 
tne age of sixty-five. They left two sons, one of whom is Seth B. Conger, 
now of Galesburg. Illinois. 

- Fred H. Conger pursued bis education in the common schools and 
ci mple'ed it by his graduation in Avalon College, in Livingston County, 
IMissouri. He was reared to farm life and assisted in the labors of field and 
nieadow on his father's farm until his marriage, in 1882. In the fall 
of 1883 he removed to Chillicothe. Mo., where he engaged in the dry goods 
business as a member of the firm of Stevens. Conger & Butts, the connection 
being maintained for ten years — an era of prosperity in his business career. 
"Wishing, however, to seek a new location and enjoy the sunny clime of 
the Pacific slope he sold his interest in the store and removed to Los 
Angeles. Cal.. where he conducted a fruit farm and carried on business 
as a dealer in buggies. He was there located for two and a half years, on 
the expiration of which period he disposed of bis property and being con- 
vinced of the superioiity of Kansas over many other portions of the 
country he came to Woodson County in 1895, settling in Yates Center, 
v.here he has one of the most delightfid residences in the city. It is well 
located in the central portion of the town and is a very attractive home. 
Mr. Conger has also purchased a large ranch of eleven hundred and sixty 
acres, four miles northwest of Yates Center, on Owl Creek, where he 



6g6 rrrsTbKV U1-' ALLH^i Ai^u 

li.mdles ii lai-y;e miniler of cattle annually, only .shipping such stock as he- 
has himself led. Me also has a very valuablo herd of registered Sliorl 
Horn cattle, equal to any to be found in th<? Sunllovxer state. lie has greatly 
improved his ranch by the ereelion of large and substantial buildings and 
now has one of the best eipiipped ranches in Jie county. Ai;er his mar- 
riage, when he embarked in the dry goods business he had only a limited 
capital, but in eonnnereial lines he laid the foundation for his present pros- 
perity, which has come to him with the passing years as the reward of his 
enterprise, unflagging industry and straight-forward business methods, 
ile now has extensive realty possessions in ^Vood^on v^'ounty and is ranked 
among the inen of atlluenec in this part of the state. 

On the 20th of December, 1882, Mr. Conger was united in marriage 
K Miss Anna d'unby. of Chillicothe, ^lo.. a daughter of W. E. and Susan' 
'v. Gunby, of tha! city. They have but two children. Marguerite and 
Lauren, both of whom are students in the schools of Yates Center. The 
( onger household is noted for its pleasing social functions, and our sub- 
icct and his wife occupy a very enviable position in social circles. In- 
politics he is a Republican. 



t;K()i!(;i-: ir. xoteman. 

Among the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Everett township^ 
VVoodson County is numbered, C'eorge II. Noteman, who has been the ar- 
chitect of his own fortunes and has builded a substantial structure. 
Thrown upon his own le.oin-ces at an early age, resolution, perseverance 
and above all eai'uesf lab(n' •Jiave eiuiblcd him to conquer fate and advance 
si( adily to the plane of att'luence. Born in Otsego County, New York, on. 
tlie 2Tth of June. 1830, he is a son of George and Mary (Adams) Noteman. 
both of wh(Jin were also natives of the Empire state. The'father died at 
the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother passed away when eighty- 
eight years of age. They had tlu.ee children, of whom two are now living: 
Thomas C. a resident of Illinois and G'corge II. 

The latter lemained in New York until twelve years of age and then 
entered the emjiloy of a man with whom he went to Illinois and who was to- 
pay him ton dollars per month in compensation for his services. After ten 
months, however, his employer turned him off and would not pay him a 
cent, cheating him out of the entire aniount. On foot he then started back 
to New York. He was arrayed in a pair of trousers, a shirt, sealskin cap and 
a heavy pair of boo*s, and the time was the month of August, ISof). On 
the way he was tJiken ill with chills, but he pressed on though foot-sore 
a.d weary, walking the entire distance hack to his old home. 

Mr. Noteman then continued in the east until 1860. when he went 
Ir. ^Yisconsin. and the following year he was united in marriage to Miss 
E L. Burdick. a native of New York. He lived in the Badger state for 



"rfUODSO'N COUNTIES. KANSAS. 697 

^iwo years and about that time entered the service of his counti-y. Feeling 
t\ his duty to support the ITnion eause, he enlisted in Company I, of tlie 
Twenty-third Illinois Infantry and remained at the front for two years, 
displaying his bravery on a number of the fields of carmipe. On leaving 
hii-; Wisconsin home he went to Iowa, where he purchased forty acres of 
land, which he ojjerated for five years. wh«n he became a resident of Illinois. 
The year 1874 witne^sed his arrival in Kansas. He fir.st settled in Ottawa, 
but after five years he ivturm-d tn Illinois, remaining upon his father'.s 
farm for fifteen yeare. 

Again Mr. Noleman came to Kansas in 1893. and this time he located 
in Woodson Counts', purchasing two hundred and forty acres of rich farm- 
ing land which he at once began to operate. In connection with the raising 
oi cereals he has also followed stock raising, his place being well adapted 
for this. He began with some good grades of Herefords, Short Horn and 
Durham cattle and now has as fine a herd as can be found in Southeastern 
Kansas. His stock is always in good condition, fat and read.y for the 
inarket and always commands good prices. There is a small creek running 
through his place on the north and west of his barn and feed lots, and a 
-grove also affords shelter for his stock. The farm is pleasantly located two 
ir.iles we;t of Neosho Falls on the east line of F.verett to\vnship, and 
thi-ough the labors and improvements of ]\Ir. Xoteman has become a very 
valuable property . 

Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, of whom 
three sons are now living: Cliarles F., who resides upon a farm near his 
father, owns farm of 160. acres : George C. who is connected with the 
Tiusiness of manufacturing and handling steel wire in Cleveland. 0. : and 
"Norman L.. who is now located in Detroit, TMicbigan. Tn his political views 
l\fr. Noteman is a TJepubliean. He keeps well inforiiied on the issues of the 
vhi.v. but has never been an aspirant for political office, as his attention is 
fully occupied by his business affairs, whereby be has demonstrated th.e 
power of integrity and industry in acquiring prosperity. 



GEORGT-. HILL. 

Wealth does not always command respect for its possessor for the 
American people are very ayjt to take into consideration the manner in 
Avhich the fortune has been won and to pass jiidgment upon the business 
methods which have been followed in the acquirement of success. The 
i-ecord of George Hill, however, is one which will bear the closest inves- 
tigation, and in Southeastern Kansas no imm is more worthy of eon- 
:fidence and esteem than the gentleman whose name introduces this re- 
Tiew as his career has ever been in harmony with the strictest ethics 
111' industrial and commercial life. He came to this portion of the state 
hi 1869, from Dane County, Wisconsin, where he had resided for ten 



C^i)^ irrsroRv or allhn antt 

years. He went to tlie Bad^'er slate with his father, John Tlill. from? 
Norfolk, Eno;land, where he was bory May 19, 1843. The father died 
ill Dane Connty, in 1899. at the age of eighty-three year.s. His wife, who 
l)ore tl:e niaidm name of Sarah Cooper, passed away many years previous, 
leaving three children, of whom two are yet livinp:— G. and Annie, the 
\atior the wife of John Baiber, of Denver, Col. 

(leoi^'e Hill was a lit:le lad at the time the ocean voyage was made 
that broiifiht the family to the new world. This was in 1854, and from 
tl at time until the inanfjruration of the Civil war he remained in Dane 
('(unty. Aioused by the attempt of the South to overthrow the Union. 
Ill' ofl'ered his; services to the government and enli^ted as a member of 
( ompany C, Second Wisconsin Volnnteei' Infantry as a private. His 
rv-giment formed part of (he famous " Ii'on Brigade." composed of a 
.Michigan and an Indiana Regiment, in addition to the Second and Third 
Wisconsin regimen's. Mr. Hill participated in the first battle of Bull 
Run. July 21, 1861. and was there wounded, his injuries necessitating his 
retirement from active service for a short time. He was not again with 
his regiment until the spring of 1862, when McClellan began his advance 
.auainst Richmond. Mr. Hill was also wounded in the second battle of 
P-iill Run and later was wounded in tie first day of the engagement at 
Cettysburg. He was in some of the preliminary fightintj leading up to 
the battle of Chancellorsville. and then after three years of faithful 
service, was- mustered out with his regiment in 18G4. 

Hpon returning to the North Mr. Hill began work at the carpenter's 
tirde. In 1867 he went to To])eka, Kas.. and in 1869 came South to 
Woodson County. He soon afterward secured a claim in Woodson 
County, upon which hi' resided some years, when he located upon sec- 
licii twenty-nine. Belmont township, where he has since made his home. 
His landed po.ssessions now aggregate twelve hundred acres of land. 
When he came to this portion of the state his ea.sh capital was only seven 
dollars and a half, but with characteristic energy he began the work of 
f.irming and also extended the field of his labors by raising and dealing 
iii stock. In both branches of his bufiness he has prospered, and his 
Inisiness methods have ever been most sti'aight-forward and honorable. 
His stock dealings have been very extensive, and he is now numbered 
among the leading stockmen and agriculturists in this jiart of the Sun- 
fiiiwer state. 

On the 9th of June. 1872. in Wilson County. ;\!r. Hill was joined in 
v.edloek to Miss Lieu Rhodes, a daughter of Samuel Tfhodes, who came 
to Kansas from Illinois. Their marriage has been blessed with the fol- 
lowing children: Sadie, now the wife of Stanford Eagle: John, who 
ii.arried Eflfie Rowten : Betsie, wife of Silas Lance: Ina and George, who 
are yet at home. In his political views Mr. Hill is a Republican and has 
served as trustee of Belmont township, but official hoiiois have had little 
;i1traetl.in ti. liiiii bi< linn- ln'itiu' lar'j'< Iv oeeupied with his business in- 



WOODSOX COUNTIES, KAXSAS. 699 

ttrests. in which capable management and persistency of purpose have 
played an important part, enabling him to advance steadily upward until 
he stands on a commanding position on the heights of affluence. 



OLIVER EASLEY. 

ilore than a third of a century has passed since Oliver Easley came 
10 Vv^oodson County, entering a tract of land from the government in Owl 
Creek townshp. He now resides in Belmont township and as the result 
of his long j'ears of identification with the agricultural interests of this 
part of the state he is the possessor of a valuable and highly improved 
tract of land. 

Mr. Easley has always resided in the Mississippi valley, and the 
enterprising spirit which has promoted the rapid growth and develop- 
ment of this section of the country has been manifest in his business 
career. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, April 15, 1839, and is 
a son of Isaac Easley. a millwright by trade, who settled in Illinois 
many years before the birth of our subject, having gone to that state from 
Freeport, 0. His birth occurred, however, in Virginia. Becoming a 
pioneer settler of Illinois, he there spent his remaining days, his death 
occurring in B ulton County about 1860, when he was fifty-five years of 
age. He was one of four brothers, the others being John, Thomas and 
Siephen, and all resided in Fulton County, at Ipava, a place which was 
formerly known as Easlej^town. Isaac- Easley was joined in wedlock to 
Miss Mary Norris, who died at a comparatively early age. In the 
family were ten children, and those who reached mature years and 
reared families of their own were : Albert ; Oscar, now deceased ; Eliza, 
who married William Knock: Edith, deceased wife of Isaac McCartj': 
?.Irs. Mary A. Dougherty, and Frank, of "Woodson County. 

The home farm was the scene of the labors and joys of Oliver 
I'jasley in his youth. His educational privileges were somewhat limited, 
hut his training in the woi'k of the fields was not meager. After reach- 
ing man's estate he jnarried Miss Emma E. Stafford, the wedding being 
celebrated on the 20th of September. ISfiO. The lady is a daughter of 
Thomas Stafford, who removed to Illinois, from Providence, Rhode 
Island, and had four children : Eliza, deceased wife of Samuel Larkin ; 
Ceorge. a resident of Quiney, Illinois : William, who is living in Ver- 
mont, Illinois, and Mrs. Easley. 

Our subject and his wife continued to reside in the Prairie state 
until 1865, when the.v came to Kansas, locating first in Bourbon County, 
where they remained for a year and then removed to Vernon County. Mo., 
when, in 1867, they came to Woodson County. Kansas. In 1875 Mr. 
Easley located on West Buffalo creek, owning land on sections twenty- 
eight and thirty-three, township twenty-six, range fifteen. His farming 



700 HISTOHV OK AI.LKN AND 

interests are pi'dtitably furulucted and his place, neat and thrifty in ap- 
jiearance. indicates the supervision of a careful and progressive owner. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Easley was blessed with seven children : 
C l:ester. who married Liunie Cowan and is living in \Vilson County. 
Kansas: Annie, wife of Prank Powell, also of Wilson County; Osro. 
of the same county, who uuirried Annie Snrpri.se: Clarence: Wil- 
liam, of Topeka, Kas.. who nuirried Selecta Dick: Sarah, wife of Frank 
Thorn, of Liberal, Kas.. and Ethel, who completes the family. The 
members of the household have uniformly commanded the respect of 
those with whom they have come in contact and Mr. and Mrs. Easley 
en.ioy the warm friendship of their neighbors and of a large circle of 
acquaintances. In early days the Easleys were "Whigs and when that 
party passed out of existence and the new Republican i)arty was formed 
the.y became sujiporters of tluit organization. Oliver Easley has by his 
ballot indicated the same political preference, and while he is not an 
active politician or an office seeker, he never fails to attend the elec- 
tions and thus support his political principles and the men who represent 
theiu. He has eontrmuted in a quiet but effective way to the general 
pi-ogress and upbuilding of "Woodson County during the thirty-four 
^•pars of his residence here and is one of its worthy citizens. 



JOHN C. CULVER. 

Among the stropg earnest men whose depth of character and fidelity 
to duty win the respect and awaken the admiration of all with whom 
the.v come in contact is numbered John C. Culver, the capable, efficient 
and trustworthj' treasurer of Woodson County. As a citizen he has borne 
himself above reproach and as a friend and neighbor he enjoys the good 
will and confidence of all with whom he is associated. 

Mr. Culver was born September 27, 1860. his parents being Charles 
and Bertha (Van Loon) Culver. The father was born in Harrisburg, 
T\nnsylvania. in the year 1815. and was reared in the Empire state, 
where he was married prior to his emigration westward. On leaving 
New York he took iip his abode in Porter County. Indiana, and was a 
resident of Valparaiso until 1871. when he came to Kansas, and the suc- 
ceeding year located in Woodson County, where he spent his remaining 
dr.vs. his death occurring in Perry township in 1898. In his family were 
ten children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Amanda E. Wa«s. 
rf Yates Center: Eli.iali C, of Boone. Ta.. who was a soldier in the Civil 
war; Mrs. Nettie T. Green, of Wichita, Kas.: George B.. who is living 
in Chauute. this state: J. Grant, whose home is in Atchison. Kas.; Mrs. 
Sarah Stradley. of Dcs I\loines. Ta. : Mrs. Jennie Holt, of Woodson County: 
^frs. ^Liry Berry, of IVIiniieapolis. !Minn. : John C. and Willard A., who 
are residents of Woodson County. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 70I 

Jolin C. Culver was only twelve years of age when he accompanied his 
parents and their family to Woodson County. His early educational 
privileges were supplemented by study in this locality ,and in the State 
-Normal school at Emporia, where he was graduated in the class of 188;i 
Through the saceeeding decade he was identified with the educational in- 
terests of the county, and his successful work as a teacher was followed 
by one (erm's .service a.s county superintendent. For seven years he 
was cashier and bookkeeper in the Vates Center bank and through that 
business connection exteuded his acquaintance, making many friends by 
his uniform courtesy to the patrons of the institution. He is now ex- 
tensively interested in farming and stock raising, being the owner of a 
valuable tract of land of two hundred and foity acres twelve miles south- 
east of Yates Center. In 1897 he was elected treasurer of Woodson 
County and filled the office so acceptably that he was re-elected for a 
second term in 1889. To fill the position one must have strong business 
ability, clerical accuracy and withal must be a man of unquestioned 
integrity. In all of these particulars Mr. Culver is well qualified for 
tiie office which he is now so acceptably filling. 

In 1885 Mr. Culver was united in marriage to Miss Cora Jewett, 
who gave him one son, Carl. In May, 1895, he was again married, his 
second union being with Belle Tacket, daughter of Mrs. H. Waymire, of 
Yates Center. They, too, have one son, Herbert M. Mr. C. is justly 
proud of his two sons. Mv. Culver is a man of genuine worth, entirely 
free from ostentation or display. Socially he is connected with the Masonic 
order, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Red Men, and is an ex- 
emplary representative of those organizations which are based upon 
beneficence and the brotherhood of man. His political support is given the 
Republican party, ubt when a candidate for office he received a vote far in 
e.vcess of his party's strength for men of different political faith de- 
p{ sited their ballots for John C. Culver, having faith in his unimpeachable 
lu,.''iness methods. His name stands as a synonym for fidelity to duty as 
no trust reposed in him has ever been uetrayed. 



HARRISON C. ROLLINS. 

HARRISON C. ROLLINS, who is engaged in the loan business in 
Yates Center, Kas., is a native of Kentucky. He spent his early boyhood 
under the parental roof until his removal to Kansas whither he came in 
1882. For three years he followed agricultural pursuits in Wyandotte 
County and made some money in the venture. In 1886, however, be 
!■{ moved to Yates Center and entered into relations with J. C. Gray in 
the real estate and loan business, this connection being maintained until 
1887 when he succeeded Mr. Gray in the business, and has since car- 
)]ed on operations along that line alone. He has won a profitable busi- 



7u2 HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND 

iKss, aud is ever found reliable and tnistworthy in all transactions. His 
jiolitical support is given the Democracy. In 1893 he was appointed by 
(; rover Cleveland to the position of postmaster at Yates Center in which 
capacity he capably served for four years, since which time his attention 
has been closely devoted to his business afl'airs in which he is meeting with 
uood succcfs. 



HENRY CLAli IICHT. 

A native of Illinois. Henry C. Hurt was born in Menai'd County, 
February 28, 1842, a son of John M. Hurt, a pioneer of Sangamon 
County, Illinois. The latter was born in Carter County, Kentuckj-, and 

was a son of .Hurt, also the father of ex-treasurer R. A. 

Hurt, of ^Voodson County, Kansas. He removed from AVarren County, 
Kentucky, to Illinois, taking up his abode near Springfield. A lawyer 
by profession, he was admitted to the bar after hi.s marriage, and on the 
day of his admission he had twelve cases for trial. No dreary novitiate 
awaited him. Prom the beginning he was successful, and in the early 
days in Illinois was the associate of such distinguished .jurist? and states- 
men as Governor Richard Yates, Sr., William Herrington, William Bntlei'. 
Colonel AVilliams and Abraham Lincoln, all then practitioners in the 
courts of Illinois. Mr. Hurt became quite prominent in political affairs 
in Menard County and for many years was almost continuously in office. 
He served through a long period as .iustiee of the peace and was alsd 
C( unty sheriff. During the Civil war he was a strong supporter of the 
T nion cause and his first experience M-ith army life came in 18fi2 when 
with Governor Yates and others he went to Fort Donelson to assist the 
v.ounded after the battle at that place. This experience and the scenes 
upon the battlefield so aroused his patriotisju that he returned to Illino'' 
a. d raised a company for service which was mustered in as Company K. 
One Hundred and Sixth Illinois; Yolunto(>r Infantry. He was elected 
1' ajor of the regiment and was afterward promoted to the rank of 
colonel. The One Hundred and Sixth formed a part of General Steele's 
army, with which Colonel Hurt was in active duty until his death, 
which occurred .just as the army was going into winter quartrrs at Pine 
Ulutf, Ark. Thus he gave his life in defense of the Union, of which he 
was a most zealous and loyal advocate. In his early jiolitical convic- 
tions he was a Whig and afterward .joined the Know Nothing party. 
Y-'hen the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of 
.'lavery he .joined its ranks 

Colonel Hurt was united in marriage to Margaret Boyd, who was 
lurn in Baltimore County. Maryland, and died in Illinois in 1000. iil 
the age of seventy-nine years. She was a daughter of John Boyd, one 
(f the first settlers of Menard County. Illinois, and by her marriage she 



"WOODSriN COrNTlES. KANSAS. "70'5 

Hjieaine tlie inotliei- of uine eliildren: Henry C. of this review; Mary, 
wife of E. F. Glaseoek, of Menard County : "William, of Kingfisher, Ol^la- 
homa : Anna, wife of Thomas Turner, of Emporia. Kansas; Charles, who 
is living in Omaha. Nebraska; David and George, who are living in 
Menard County, Illinois; Laura, wife of William Turner, also of that 
County, and Joseph, who makes his home in Menard County. 

Mr Hurt, the well, known agriculturist of Center township. Wood- 
son County, was born in Athens. Illinois, and in his boyhood and youth his 
time was quite equally divided between the farm and town life, the 
family living in Athens and Petersburg at different times. He aequireo 
;-. fair English education and in his youth worked upon the home farm 
m that practical experience well fitted him for similar duties in later 
years. He was married September 15. 1863. to Caroline Rankin, a 
daughter of W. L. Rankin, a native of Kentucky, who became a cattle- 
man and farmer of Illinois. He wedded Mary Ellen Suddiith. who died 
in 1857. leaving four children: Thomas J., of Nebraska; Ben.iamin, whf 
died at Chattanooga. Tennessee, while serving in the Union army duritig 
the Civil war; Lee, of Northwestern Iowa, and Mrs. Hurt, who was 
born November 14. 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Hurt have but two children. 
John M., who was born October 16, 1865, married Cora Walker and now 
resides on the old homestead, and William is living in Terre Han'' . 
Indiana. 

After bis marriage Mr. Hurt remained in Illinois until 1872. when ' 
lemoved with his family to Page County. la., and in 1880 he c-t- 
to Woodson County, where he engaged in the land bu.siness for four 
Tears. He pitrchased a tract of land on section twenty-six, towns' . 
twenty-five, range fifteen, where he now owns three hundred and twe^' , 
acres of land, and to the cultivation of the fields he now devotes his ti- 
and attention with excellent success. He likewise handles cattle, 
his bttsiness is annuall.v bringing to him good returns— the sure re- 
ward of earnest labor. The political situation of the country is a matter 
t.i intei'est to him — as it should be to every true American citizen— and 
be indicates his preference by voting for the men and measures of the 
Republican party, which he has supported since casting his first presi- 
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has never sought office, 
licwever, his businers affairs claiming his consideration and time. 



ALEXANDER W. MARKHAM. 

The futility of effort is manifest in the business world. It is said 
that ninety-five per cent of the men in business meet with failure and 
the cause of this is not so much lack of inditstry or of close application 
}.s of sound business .judgment. "^Hien labor is directed by Keen business 
rliscernment it never fails to win prosperity, and a proof of this is founa in 



, < '4 l!l.s^()K^ 111-- ALI.KX ATCiT 

Ihf lilV rtHM)tiI of .Mexaiuk'i- W. Markhaui, who came to this county in 1872-' 
II! very limited ciicumstiuu-es but is to-daj' numbered among the men. 
f f affluence in liis community. 

Mr. Maikham removed to Kansas from Johusou Couuty, Missouri,, 
v'here he was born January 8, 1842, a son of Charles Markham. His pater- 
nal grandfather was a native of Scotland and his grandmother was a native 
cl England, and on coming to America located in Madison County, Ken- 
tucky. He had a family of six sons, namely: Hiram, Tira, John T., Reu- 
bin. Charles and Kli.iah. Tie first two remained in Kentucky but the 
others removed to Johnson County, ilissouri. at an early epocli in its 
development. Charles ^iarkham was born in the Blue (irass state about 
1822 and was a life-long farmer, following his chosen pursuit with 
good success. During the Civil war he was an advocate of the Union 
cause, although his brothers sympathized with the South and some of 
Djcni had sous in the Confederate service. His death occurred in Johnson 
( ( unty, Jlissouri, JuU' 2(), 1877. In early manhood he man-led Sarah 
.\ndrews. who died in the spring of liKH). Their children are Nancy 
J., who is the widow of Thomas Palmer and resides in Barry County, 
iviisjouri : Alexander W. : Henry, of Johnson Count}'. Missouri ; George, 
of Barry County, that state: and Robert wlio is also living in the 
same county. 

^Ir. Markham of this leview spent his boyhood and youth in the 
county of his nativity and obtained a country school education. In Feb- 
ruary. 1862, he entered the Union army, becoming a member of Battery 
ij. Second iIis>o;:ri Light Artillery, with which he served for eighteen 
months, spending the entire time in his native state. On the 4th of 
January, 1864, he again offered his services to his country and was as- 
."^igned to Battery L. Second Missouri Volunteers, with which he served 
in Missouri until the war ended when the company was sent to the 
Powder River country, in Montana, in order to fight the Indians. There 
.Mr. Maikham renuiined for seven months when the order came to be 
n.ustered out, having been a member of the army for four years and six 
tuouths. 

Upon his return home he engaged in farming but was afflicted 
v<ith rheumatism for a year, having incurred the disea.'e while in the 
jiorthwest protecting the border against the Red men. Hoping that his 
'•heumatism might be cured in a warmer climate he came to Southern 
Kansas and has .since resided in Woodjon County. He arrived on the 
lath of April. 1872. and purchased of a ]\Ir. Clark a claim comprising 
the north half of the southeast (piarter of section twenty-two, township 
twenty-five, range sixteen. He moved his family into a small log cabin in 
\>-hich there was no board floor, and has witnessed all the changes which 
have occurred in the county d\iring more than twenty-eight years. He 
has made farming his life work and his diligence, persistence and good 
r-anagempiit have made him the owner of a valuable property. 



"vvOCTDSOM tOTDNTlES. KANSAS. 7O5 

Mr. jMarkliain was married in Wariensburj;-, Missouri, JNIaiX'h 27, 
~1864. to Susan Wade, a dau<ihter of Joseph j\I. Wade, one of the first 
sottler.s of Johnson County, Missouri, who came from Virginia. He wedded 
^lary Tomblin. fornierly of Pennsylvania, and their children were: Mrs. 
Markham, who was horn October 2-4, 1845 ; John, deceasea ; Joseph, of 
Johnson County, Missouri: Martha, wife of Nicholas Rogers, of Kansas 
City; Sarah wife of William Eaton, of Oklahoina: .lames, of Kansas 
Cit.y. Missouri. The father was engaged in the manufacture and laying 
(.^' hriek and did nuich of the early brick work in Warren.sburg, Misfonri. 
lie died in 1895. at the age of eighty-one years. The marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Markham has been blessed with nine children: Charles, who 
died at the age of seventeen years: James R., who parsed awa.v at the 
age of two years: Mary C. wife of Walter J. Cox, of Tola, Kansas, by 
whom she has two children : Eva and Nona ; William Tj., of Thomas, 
(>klahonia: John K.. Yates Center. "Woodson County: Oeorge K., who 
i:-: living in Allen County: Henry E.. a telegraph operator in Wilson County, 
Kansas; Anna and Mai'tha. who are still with their parents. 

On attaining his ma.iority Mr. Markham heeanie a stalwart su])- 
|)rrter of the Re]nihlican party and is recognized as one of the local 
liaders. although he i^■ not an aspirant for office. Both he and his wife 
hold meniher.ship in the Center Ridge Baptist church, in which he is hold- 
ing the office of deacon. Tie is deepl.v interested in the work of the 
■church and is a citizen whose devotion to the public good is above ques- 
t:(n and who has ever been found where duty and obligation have called 
i.im. whether fighting for his country or in the walks of business and pri- 
vate life. 

William L. Markham was married to Miss Mary Leonard by whom 
she has Uvm boys, Freddie and Eddie. 

George K. iNFarkham was married to Miss Nellie Kilbv. 



HERRMANN FUHLHAGE. 

A quiet but steadfast persistence marks the German race and has been 
.1 potent element in winning success for its i-epi'esentatives. This 7ia- 
tional trait is manifest in the career of TTermann Fnhlhage. now a well 
known and progressive farmer of Belmont township, who has made his 
liome in Woodson County since 1867. He was born in the village of Hase- 
b( ck. Lippe-Detmold. Germany. February 16, 1839, and is a son of Her- 
mann and Dorothy (Ricks) Fuhlhage. Te former was a farmer b.y 
occupation and his forefathers had i-esided in that locality for man.y genera- 
tii,ns previousl.v. He had seven children, namely: Wilhelmina. who be- 
eame the wife of C.yrns Houseman and died in Germany: Lena, who 
inan-ied Conrad Tasche and also died in the fatherland: Fritz, who de- 
parted this life in Germany: Charlotte, who married Ernest Obermeyer 



fob li'r.sTbRY 01-' Al.I.t:.';' AKu 

and ilied in <jeriiiaiiy; August, who died in Wist-onsin; Ilt'i-iumiii. and Wil- 
liam, who i« living in Wood.son (,'oiinty. 

Ileniiaiin Fahlhage attended school until t'oui-teen ytars of age. and 
when a youth of seventeen he began working at the briekmaker's trade 
vvhifii he followid in several (.'ei'inan states, being identified with thjit line 
of enterprise for ten years. In that time he had managed to save a few 
liundied dollais, hut believing that better business opportunities were 
afforded in the new world he resolved to seek his fortune in America. 
-Accordingly he bade adieu to home and friends, and in April. 1867. 
.•mailed fiom Bremen to ?vow Yoi'k. where he landed after a voya.ge of thir- 
teen days. His destination was Kansas for he had friends living in this 
ciiinty. and in due time he arrived at his journe.y's end. He took up his 
abode on Cherry creek in Kvei'ctt township, secured a homestead of eighty 
ai res and for fourteen years there lesided. during which period he de- 
\tlop<d a fine farm. In 1881 he came to Belmont township where he pur- 
chased the southwest qtiar'^er of section thirty-one. Continually he has 
added to his landed possessions as his tinancial resources have increased 
until to-day he owns almost one thousand acres, in five different farms on 
uhich he keeps large herds of cattle and other stock. 

Mr. Fuhlhfige was not niari'ied when he came to Kansas, and for 
two years af*er his ari'ival he kept bachelor's hall. On the '28th of Juni\ 
18^9. he wedded Bertha Pribbernow. a niece of the late Christian Pribbei-- 
n<vv. of Owl Creek township. Both of her parents died in Germany. Her 
mother bore the maiden name of Bertha B\iz, whose eight children' 
gi-ew to maturity but only three are now living, one brother of Mrs. 
Fuhlhage's. Charles Pribbernow. being a resident of Wisconsin. Ten 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fuhlhage: Wilhelmina. wife of 
.5. W. H. Pyke. of Yates CVnter: August, who married IMyrta Doebert and 
is living in Woodson County; Charles, who .died at the age of fifteen 
y;>ars; Henry, Emma, Frank. Fmil and Clara, all of whom are at home 
ai'd two who have departed this life. 

Mr. Fuhlhage is a Republican and cast his first piesidential vote for 
Crant in 1868. He served for four years as .iustiee of the peace, and 
for twenty years has been a member of the school board. The cause of 
education has found in him a warm friend, the cause of justice an able 
exponent, and in all life's I'claiiou he commands eonfidence and respect 
by his fidelity to duty. 



ISAAC J. CAMAC. 

ISAAC JI'jSSE CAMAC, who is engaged in the harae-ss business in 
Yates Center, is a repi-esentative of that class of men who form the bulwark 
of the nation — men who in the active business affairs of life are energetic 
and progi-essive. who ai-e loyal to the duties of citizenship and are faithful 



wooDsox couxTiE:;, kaxsas. 707 

10 the obligations of home and social life. He has made his home in 
Kansas since 1871, coming to this state from Illinois. He was born, 
however, in Randolph County, North Carolina, November 19, 1846, a son of 
Dixon Camac, a farmer, who died in Ottawa. Kas., in March. 1889, at 
the age of seventy-five years. He too was a native of North Carolina and 
v.as of English descent. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat. 
He married Nancy Gaddis, who died in AYindsor, Illinois, in 1865, and is 
survived by five of her eight children, namely: Martha, wife of J. B. 
Holmes, of Stafford, Kas. ; Rebecca, wife of Harvey Rodgers, of Ottawa, 
Kas. ; Isaac J., who was the fifth in order of birth in the family ; Maggie, 

wife of Lewis Heshman, of Ottawa, and Dovie Ann, wife of 

Dey. of Franklin Connty, Kas. 

Mr. (jamac spent the greater part of his youth in Illinois and was 
reared as a farmer boy until twenty years of age, when he began learning 
the trade of a harness maker and saddler, serving an apprenticeship in 
Y\^indsor, Illinois, after which he was employed as a .journeyman for two 
years. He then spent four years as a farmer, half of that time being 
passed in Putnam County, Missouri, the other half in Franklin County, 
Kansas. He removed from Shelby County, Illinois, to Franklin County, 
and on his retirement from agricultural fields he began business in Ottawa 
as a dealer in harness and saddlery. In 1884 he removed to Eminence 
township, Woodson County, where he farmed seven years and then came to 
Yates Center in 1891. Here he purchased the harness and saddlery establish- 
ment formerly owned by Fred Wachtman, and has since been sole pro- 
prietor. He enjoys a large and lucrative patronage, having been well 
eipiipped by previous experience for the business when he began opera- 
tions at this place. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods 
such as is found in a fii-st class establishment of the kind and his businef'S 
is eon.stantly growing in volume and importance. 

On the 2d of April, 1868, in Windsor, Illinois, Mr. Camac was united 
in marriage to Miss Victoria Y'ork. a daughter of John Y^ork, a native of 
North Carolina. He was a tailor by trade and spent his last days 
in Ottawa, Ka^-. In his family were four children, of whom three are 
yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Camac have been born eight children : 
{'(;ra, wife of W. M. Patterson, of Rose, Kas. ; John, a farmer of Woodson 
County; Nettie, wife of W. M. Hartshorn, of Ottawa, Kas.; Isaac J., Jr.; 
May, a teacher in Woodson County; Winnie, who is a graduate of the 
high school of Y''ates Center; Blanche and Katie. The family is one of 
ju'ominence in the community, the members of the household occupying an 
enviable position in social circles. Mr. Camac cast his first presidential 
\ote in 1876, supporting R. B. Hayes, and since that time he has been 
■,\ stalwart Republican, heartily endorsing the men and measures of the 
party. He belongs to the subordinate lodge and the Rebekah depart- 
ment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also holds membership 
with the Knights and Toadies of i-'ecurity. In the Odd Fellows lodge he 



708 HISTOKV (IF VLLKN ANT 

lias filli'd all of the chairs and has served as rei)re>entative to the grand 
I'^djre. Such in brief is the life history of one who has been an enerjretic 
and straijrht-forward business man and has walked worthily in all life's 
relations, theieby conunandinir unifonu res]iect. 



PLF.ASAXT M. RHODES. 

Farming: and stock raisiui: claim the attention of IMeasaut M. Rhodes 
who resides in Everett township. \Voodson County and who is now classed 
jinumsr the well-to-do citi/ens of the connmniity. a jiosition which he oe- 
cujiits as the direct result of his individual etl'orts in the active affairs 
(.. life. Me was born in McLain County. Illinois, November 10. 18:58. a 
sen of JauiCK S. and Elizabeth (Adams) Hhodes. the former a native of 
Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. The father removed to Illinois, livinir 
there with the first six families who located in the wiunty. The Indians 
roamed in large numbers over the prairie, and the land was in its primi- 
tive condition, little indication beiuix 5j:iven of the development and progre.ss 
which were so soon to brini: wonderftd transformation. In lS5o Dr. 
Hhodes removed with liis family to Iowa and there euiiaired in the practice 
oi medicine. He also carried on farm work and entraged in preaching 
the gosjH'l as a minister of the Christian church. He led a very active, use- 
ful and honorable life, and died in 1807. at the age of eighty-four years, 
i-tspected by all who knew him. Tlis widow still survives him and is living 
i.\ Winterset. la., at the age of eight.v-two yejirs. 

"Mv. Rhodes of this review is one of a family of eight children, six of 
whom are yet living. Tie spent his youth upon a farm and in town, and 
jiui'sned his education in the eonnnon school,-., supiileniented bva high-seliool 
course. Up to the time of his marriage he remained with his pai'ents. but 
in 1861 completed his arrangements for a home of his own by winning 
as a companion and helpmate on the .iourney of life Miss Mary Elizabeth 
Clark, a native of Ohio. The yonng couple began their domestic life upon 
a rented fai-m which Mr. Rhodes operated until August. 1862. when bis 
])atriotio spirit pi'ompted his enlistment in the Union army. He .ioined 
company A. Thirty-ninth Iowa infantry and served for three years as a 
private soldier, participating in several important engagements, including 
the battle of Polk's Crossroads. Sngar Valle.v. Small Creek and the four 
days' engagement at Kingston, \orth Carolina, together with many others 
o) lesj-er importance. At l^hady Grove. Tennessee he was captured, but soon 
afterward was paroled and sent to St. Louis . ^lissouri. to await exchange. 
At the close of the war Mr. Rhodes returned to his home, and for several 
\ears contiinied the cultivation of routed land until he had acitnired eajii- 
t.nl sufficient to enable him to pnvchascpronerty. He then bought land and 
was engaged in the cattle couunission business for a number of years with 
excellent success, following that pni-suit in Iowa until 1897. when he sold 



WOODSON' COUNTIES, KANSAS. 709 

)us propi'ity there in order lo stck a iiiildi-r eliiiiiite, hoping- to beuefit 
his wile's healtli thereby. With lii.s family lie spent one year in eastern 
Oregon, after which he came to Kan>as and purchased fonr luuidred aci'es 
of prairie land about seven miles east and north of Yates Center, where he 
I'.as erec'ed an attractive residence and built a good barn. He has also 
added other substantial iniproveinents and now has liis entire farm under 
fence. He has led a very busy, active and useful life, idleness and indolence 
having no part in his nature. His I'eputation as an auctioneer is eeiual to 
that of any man in the county. He has engaged in that business for 
tv.onty years ami has cried as many sales as any one of his age. He is well 
known as an auctioneer in many counties in Iowa, as well as in .southeast- 
iMii Kansas. Since locating in this state, lias resinned stock dealing and 
expects to handle all of tlie stock which his farm can support. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Khodes have been born five chihiren, namely: 
Carpentei- K., who follows farming near his father's home; Mrs. Mary Etta 
IMohm. a widow, who with her children, Edna, Willie and Donald, aged re- 
sjiectively fourteen, twelve and eight years and now in school, is living 
with her father; William h^stell, at home; Lillian May (J rout, in Madison 
C'ount.y, Iowa and Myrtle lOdith, who is still with her parents. The family 
is one of prominence in the coninmnity and the members of the household 
liave many friends, which is an indication of theii- sterling worth. Mr. 
Rhodes is a stalwart Re])ul)liean in i)olilies and has done considerable cam- 
paign work in Iowa, laboring earnestly for the interests of the party. While 
in that state he served as justice of the peace, and to those who are at all 
familiar with his uin-iglit career it is needless to say that his duties were 
faithfullv discharged. 



DAVID ASKREN. 

One of the lionoied pioneer settlers of Woodson County is David 
.\skren, who foi' forty-two years has resided witliin its borders. Few of the 
n sidents of this jiortion of the state can claim as long continuous connec- 
tion witli it. Great changes have occurred in this i)eriod as the work of 
improvement and progress has been carried on. transfoi-ming the raw 
I^rairie into fertile fai'ms, replacin<r cabin homes with commodious dwellings 
and adding the commei'cial and industi-ial interests and the evidences of 
civilization known to the older east. Mr. Askren can relate many interesting 
incidents of ])ioneer days when tliey coped with the linrdships and trials 
( I frontier life lo make homes in the west, and no history of this portion 
of the state would be complete without tlie I'ecord of his life. 

He was born in Logan County. Ohio. January 1, 183L His father, 
Isaac Askren, was a native of Pennsylvania but in boyhood removed to 
Ohio where he was reared to manhood and married. Miss Elizabeth Spry, 
.) native of Marvland, becoming his wife. In 18.53 he removed with his 



■J to HISTOKV OF ALI.KN AND 

riiiiul\' to Iowa, wliere his leiiiaiiiiiig days were devoted to agricultuial juir- 
siiils, his deatli oeeiirring iu 1892. when he was seventy years of age. I lis 
<-if(' died in 1888, at the age of K-eventy-si.x. They were the parents of seven 
ehildien. bnt only three are now living— David, who is the eldest, and 
l^aae and Mary, who are residents of Iowa. One of the sons, John, died 
iu tlie army during the Civil war and was buried in the cemetery in lola. 
Kansas. 

Keared to farm work and educated in tlie eninmon school.-;, thus 
jii'.ssed tlie boyhood days of David Askren and when lie had become a man 
he married Miss Charlotte Alexander, the wedding being celebrated on the 
l.Sth. of February, 18.55. The lady was a native of Ohio. The young 
CvHiple began their domestic life in Ohio but in 1859 came to Kansas and 
Mr. Askren pre-empted the farm of one hundred and sixty acres upon whicli 
he has resided for more than forty years. lie has I'emained in the Sun- 
ilower state through the period when the commonwralth was infested by 
grasshojipers and suffered from drouths, and though these entailed great 
liai'dships upon the settlers never bnt once did he become discouraged and 
wisii to leave Kansas-. During the great drouth of 1860 he' determined to 
return to Ohio, and several. vears later when he had saved money enough 
he started with his family for their old home. They traveled by wagon 
as far as Illinois. There on account of illness Mr. Askren left his family 
and proceeded alone to the Buckeye state, but had been there only a short 
lime when he became homesick for Kansas. However, he wrote his wife 
that she might come on to Ohio and the.v would jell their Kansas farm and 
n.ake a home in their native state, but she replied that she was as near 
Ohio then as .she ever wanted to be-, that she desired to return to Kansas 
and that the children were crying to go back. Mr. Askren says that he 
never in his life received a letter which was as welcome and which did him 
a-i much good. Accordingly he re.ioined his family and they returned to 
Kansas. whei'C he has since reutained and is now one of the prosperous, con- 
tended farmers and valued citizens of Woodson Coiinty. 

After forty-five years of happy married life he was sejjarated from his 
A' ife by death. She passed awa.v on the old homestead October 17. 1899. 
'it the age of sixty-six years, and all of their four children have departed 
this life with the exception of Mrs. Charlotte Kliid^iubursr. who is non- liv- 
inir with her father, acting as his housekeeper in his declining days. They 
are the only surviving members of the family and the relation between 
tiiem is accordingly very near and dear. Mr. Askren has been called upon 
to fill many positions of honor and trust in his township and county. He 
has been township trustee and justice of the peace and was the second 
county assessor after the organization of the county. His duties were ever 
faithfully performed and over his public record there falls no shadow of 
\''rong. while his private life ir alike above reproach. In his political views 
be is now a Prohibitionist, warmly advocating temperance principles, 
morality and all movements that tend to uplift mankind. 



TX'OODSDN COXT>fTI'ES, EA'SSAS. 



T. A. MITCHELL. 



On a farui in Lihertx' township, "Woodson County, T. A. Mitchell is 
'tngaged in the raising of stock, and his activity in bui-iness has brought 
him a comfortable competence. He was born in Washington County. In- 
diana, July 26, 1854. and is a son of Elisha Mitchell, a native of Indiana. 
Mr. Mitchell has records tracing their family history to a Robert Mitchell 
born in Scotland, October 8. 1740. Elitha, after attaining years of 
niatitrity, • wooed and wedded Mi&s Lydia Colglazier. a native of the 
Hoosier stat«, whose people had emigrated to Indiana in 1812. settling in 
.the midst of the woods when the Indians in motley garb still stalked through 
the forest. The father of our subject was a miller by trade but spent part 
of his time on a farm and by following such pursuits provided for his 
i'.imily, which included his wife. and ten children, five of whom are yet 
living. His death occurred in 1864, when he was forty-six years of age. 
His wife al;o pas.std awav at the age of fortv-.six. her death occurring in 
1867. 

T. A. ]\Iitehell was the seventh of their family and was reared upon a 
farm where the work of the fields early became familiar to him through 
practical experience. His preliminary education, acquired in the common 
schools, was supplemented by stiidy in the Paola Normal school of In- 
diana, and three years he engaged in teaching, two years in Indiana and 
one in the district of his present home. In the spring of 1877, he came to 
Kansas, settling firKt in Neosho Palls, where he made his home for a year. 
He afterwards purchased two hundred and forty acres of unimproved land 
ten miles north of Yatfs Center, where he has developed an excellent stock 
farm. He engages in the rairing of grain and stock, and his good crops 
and sales of cattle are profitable sources of revenue. He is also one of 
the stockholders and directoi's of the creamery at Neosho Palb; where he de- 
livers his cream. Mr. Mitcliell has given much time and attention to dairy- 
ing, having purchased the first centrifugal cream separator used in Wood- 
fon County. 

On the 22d. of April, 1880, Mr. Mitchell was .ioiued in wedlock to Miss 
linnna Williams, a native of Howard County. Indiana, and a daughter of 
Ir. Henry Williams, who was born in Ohio and married Harriet C. Ellis, a 
native of Kentucky, whence in her girlhood she removed to the Hoosier 
Slate. The doctor successfully practiced for many years in Russiaville. In- 
diana and also engaged in merchandising in the same town. He died in 
1871. at the age of sixty-four years, and his wife passed away in 1884. at the 
age of sixty-eight. They were the parents of three children Mrs. Mitchell's 
parents, being in a position favorable, gave her excellent opportunities to 
acquire an education, of which .she made good use by qualifying herself 
for any position she might desire. She engaged in teaching previous to 
her marriage, having taught the year before her mai-riage in S^pvory. Orecn- 
wood County, Kansas. She, by her marriage, has become the mother of 
two sons and three daughters. Stella, the eldest, died in infancy. The 



■|. HlS'l'OKV Ol'' AI.LHX AiSi' 

ollii'is Jill' i-'liiii.'iicc. who is a siradualc of h'liih si^liiml ul Nmslio Falls aiici 
is now leacliiii'r her first term of school in her hcniK' district in Woodson 
(•'oiinty; Thomas, K. Carl and IIarri<?t, all of whom have comple'iud the 
Course of study in the conunon schools. 

Voting wish the Democracy, Mr. Mitchell, thus expresses his jxilitieal 
heliei". b>it he has never been an office seeker, believing that his business will- 
Ijc allenc'ed by better result;- if he confines his attention .solely to the occu- 
pation which l:e has chosen as his life work and which is r«turiiin£r to him- 
:'. !;-ood Mnani'ial reward ■ 



iMICIlAEL IIEFl^'EHN. 

The Kiiieraid isle— the land of beautiful lakes and verdant hills, the 
(ionntry of war, romance and history— was the birthplace of Michael Ilef- 
fern, who on th<^ ■22d. of September, 18'^"). first opened his eyes to the liprht 
t,\ day in the parish of Dunhill. County Waterford. Ireland. Ilis father. 
Pali-ick IletTern, married Brid<ret Carol, and both were Uittives of Iieland 
where they resided tmtil 1850 when they crossed the broad Atlantic to 
.\meriea, locating tirst in New York, After a short time, however, they re- 
moved to Illinois, settling in LaSalle Connty. where they spent their re- 
maining days, the father pa.ssing away at the age of si.\ty-five years, while 
the mother died at the age of .sixtj' years. 

Michael Hcffern was a lad of fourteen yea is when he came with his 
parents lo the New World. In Illinois he worked on the railroad as a tea- 
sier for three years and then rented a tract of land, after which he en- 
gaged in farming there for eight years. As a conip-anion and helpmate on 
the joui'iu'y of life he chose Miss Ellen Vaughn, a native of Ireland, the 
^redding being celebrated in St. Louis. Missouri, August 26, 1855. He- 
continued his agricultural pursuits in Illinois until 1867 when he came 
to Kansas and purchased two hundred and forty acres of raw land in Owl 
Creek township. "Woodson County, eight miles east of Yates Center on the 
north fork of Owl creek. There for the first time he began farming on land 
\i hich was his own property. He has since made valuable improvements 
until he now has one of the best farms on the creek, and to his landed pos- 
sessions he has added until he now has nine hundred and sixty acres, all 
improved, while three hundred acres is under cultivation, the o*^l< 
pastuie and meadow land. For a short time after coming to Kansas Mr. 
Hcffern worked on the i-ailroad as a contractor but has since devoted his 
entire time to his farm work and has long since been recognized as one of 
the leading agriculturists of the e(mnty. Tie feeds all of his grain to his 
stock and each winter shi]is about two car loads of cattle to the city 
markets. 

Eight children have been born unto INIr. and Mrs. TIeffern, of whom 
six are vet living, as follows: Mary, the wife of Tim Collins; Johanna, 



"WDtiDSiON COUM'TIES. KANSAS. 713 

'A-]te of Thomas Mudanoii. of Humboldt: Margaret, wife of Charley Feney; 
Lizzie, wife of Vineent Gtillagher, now of Colorado; Josie, wife of Ven 
Tiossen, of Woodson County, and Thomas, who resides upon the home fann 
with his father. He married filiss Minnie Cornell and has two children. 
Michael and Mary. 

In his political affiliations iVIr. Heflf'ern is a Democrat and Ijelongs to 
t':at substantial cla.^s of citizens who give an earnest support to measures 
■j'or the public good but are not carried away by fads or unpractical 
i^chemes. He is a self-made man who without any extraordinary family or 
pecuniary advantages at the comnteneement of life has battled earnestly and 
euerge^icall.v. and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved 
"both eharacVr and fortune, winning a victory in the business world which 
i^ as civditable as enviable. 



ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

Woodson County figures as oae of the most attractive, progressive and 
pi'osperous divisions of the state of Kansas, .justly claiming a high order of 
citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive 
development and marked advancement in tlie material upbuilding of this 
reetion. Tlie eount.v lias been signally favored in the class of men who have 
X'ontroll^d its affairs, and in this connection the siibjeet of this review de- 
mands representation as one who has served the county faithfully and well 
in positions of dif-tinct trust and repsonsibility. Moreover he has been one of 
tJie most extensive stock dealers and leading business men of .southeastern 
Kansas, and is one of the honored jiioneers of the commonwealth, having 
come to the state in its territorial days. 

Mr. Hamilton was born in Gallatin County. Kentucky, September 12, 
1832. His father. John 0. Hamilton, was also a native of that state and 
there married Miss Hannah Gregg, whose birth occurred in the same lo- 
cality. The.y were the parents of ten children, of whom our siibject was 
the second in order of birth. He was reared on the home farm and at- 
tended the common schools until sixteen years of age when he went to Cov- 
ing ton College and later became a student in "Western Collegiate Institute 
Jit Patriot. Indiana. He was afterward graduated in a business college in 
IMarietta. Ohio, and later in a law college in Louisville. "Wlien eighteen 
years of age he went to Tennessee, where he engaged in teaching school for 
two years after which he returned to his old Kentnek.v home and took up 
The study of law. beino' admitted to the bar in 1854. 

The following year Mr. Hamilton came to Kansas, locating fii'st in 
Leavenworth, whence he went to Council Bluflfs. la., but not liking that place 
he retui-ned to MisSsonri. taking up his abode in Clinton County. Soon the 
liorder wai' came on and he was appointed captain of a company and saw 
some arduous and dangerous service. "With his compaii.v he came to Kan- 



sas. wlu'ie he uift d'ov. d'eary with vviioiii he heltl a eonsultatidii. Captau/. 
liaiiiil.on, wishing' to make his home in Kansas, surrendered his command 
and took up his abode in the Sunflower state, which has since been his 
place of residence. Not k)ng afterwai'd the Civil war was inau^nirated and 
for a time he was ctmnec ed with the home o;uai-ds. He afteiward entered 
the employ of tl.e government as wa^ion ma.ster and later received an ap- 
pointment as sutler. bein»' thiss associaled with the army for a number of 
months. He was next apjjointed to buy cattle for the Indians and can 
relate many hair-bread'h escapes which he had while in the United State; 
service among the red men. 

Mr. Hamilton first settltd in Leroy, Cofl'ey County, and began the- 
piaetiee of law before the county was organized. He attended the legisla- 
ture of 1857, succeeded in h.aving the county establislud and was appointed 
by the assembly to the otSces of county clerk and register of deeds. Tie pur- 
chased a large body of land in the vicinity of Leroy. and at the same time 
conducled a large general meicantile store, so that he was kept very busy in 
managing his agricultural and conmiercial affairs, in addition to his law 
practice and the discharge of his official duties. 

On the 22d. of February, 1858, Mr. Hamilton was mari'ied and con- 
tinued to reside in Cotfey County until 1875, when he sold his land there' 
and came to his present home in Woodson County, purchasing six hundred 
and forty acrer on Cherry crerk in Everett township, where he has since- 
developed a very fine and highly improved farm. He has j^urchased and 
st.'ld more cattle than any other stock dealer in the county, handling 
thousands of luad, but in late years, on account of his advanced age. he 
has largely retired from tluit business, feeding only a small inunber of cat- 
tle. He has recently purchased pro|)crty in Leroy, including a part of his 
old homestead. 

The lady who for forty-three yeais has traveled life's j(uirncy by his 
fide as his faithful wife and helpmate was in her maidenhood Mi.ss Jane 
Scott, and she is the oldest lady member of the Old Settlers' Association 
of Coft'ey, Alkn and Woodson Counties. She is a daughter of (ieneraf 
John B. Seott. who was a native of Virginia and when a small boy accom- 
panied his parents on their removal to Bloomington, Illinois. There he 
was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Davis, of 
New York. In an eai'ly day he went to Iowa as a trader with the Indians, 
and in 1849 came with the Sac and Fox Indians to Kansas. The red men 
,"1 that time owed him twenty thousand dollars and he came to collect it. 
He settled at Ijeroy where he was api)ointed ma.jor general of the Kansas 
Home Ciuards. His death occurred in 187.1 when he was fifty-seven years 
0^ age. His first wife died during the early girlhood of Mrs. Hamilton and 
he afterward married again. His second wife died in 1880. General 
Scott was the founder of Leroy and was Indian agent for many years, both 
ill Iowa and Kansas. 

T'nfo ^Ir. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born fourteen children, of 



WOODSON LOUNTIlib, KANSAS. 715 

wholii twelve are now living: Mrs. T. W. PUunmer and Mrs. Fred Pearl, 
))oth of Yates Center ; John O., of Vernon ; Charles C, a twin brother of 
•John and a farmer by nccnpation ; Mrs. Ed Vetito, of Yates Center; Alex. 
()., who aids in the work of the home farm ; Gus R., who served with the 
Twentieth Kansas regiment in the Philippines and is now in Vernon ; Her- 
bert, a barber in Yates Center; Clarence P.. who was abo a member of the 
Twentieth Kansas regiment and is now in Joliet. Illinois; Grace, who is in 
business in Yates Center, is wife of Eber Holiday ; S. Wallace, who is also 
in the county seat, and Nellie at home. Alice, the third child, died at the 
age of three years, and Stanley died at one year old. 

Mr. Hamilton has always taken an active interest in public affairs, per- 
taiiling to the welfare of his community and has held several local offices. 
He was the first postma'ster of Vernon, has filled the position of justice of 
the peace and for two years was a sheriff of AVoodsn County. His popularity 
in the oommunity is unmistakable not only on account of his fidelity to 
duty in public office, but also because of his honorable bnsiners career, his 
fidelity to manly principles and his reliability in private life. During the 
long years of his residence in Kansas he has left the impress of his indivi- 
(hiality for good upon the communities with which he has been connec'^ed 
and he feels just pride in the splendid advancement made by his adopted 
state. 



•JAMES \¥. MACLASKEY. 

The Maelaskey home is a fine residence, built in modern architectural 
slyle and standing on an eminence which commands a view of the sur- 
rounding country for mile? in any direction. Forest trees surround the 
house, which stands in the midst of a valuable farm of nine hundred and 
fifty-nine acres, all the property of our subject and all acquired since he 
came to Kansas. A- proof of the advantages which the state furnishes to 
her citizens cannot better be given than in the life records of such men a.« 
Mr. Maelaskey who have won fortune by earnest and well directed effort 
Since locating within her borders. 

As one of the leading citizens, early settlers and prominent agricul- 
turists James W. Maelaskey certainly deserves representation in this 
volume. He was born in Pike Count.v, Illinois. August 14, 1849, a son of 
(■'eorge and Barbara (Sweet) Maclas-key, both natives of New York, al- 
though they were married in Illinois. When a young man the father went 
■o the Prairie state and there followed farming for many years. In 1881 he 
made a visit to Nebraska, where he was taken ill and died, at the age of 
eighty-one years. His widow still survives him and is now living with her 
sons in Kansas City. Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine yeai-s. 

"When James W. Maelaskey was seven years of age his parents removed 
to Adams Countv. Illinois, where he was reared to manhood, remaining uu- 



7l6 HISTdKV OF ALI.EX A\n 

ck-r the paivntal roof until he had attained the age of twenty-seven. His 
education was obtained in the common cehools. In eonnoetion witli his 
brother he owned three hundred and twenty acres of land in Adams 
County. Ere leaving Illinois he was married, on the 4th of November. 
18(i9. to Miss S'arah E. !\[eCarl, a native of Pike County, that state, and 
a daughter of Samuel and Dorcas (Ijikes) McCarl. the former a native of 
Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. Mr. McCarl died at the age of 
.«ixty-eight .veais. but his wife is still living in Illinois, and has attained the 
age of seventy-one. They were the parents of six children, as follows: 
Alexander, of Oregon: Mrs. Bethana Myers; Mrs. Lixzie Maelaskey: Isaiah 
and Calvin McCarl. all of Illinois, and Mrs. Sarah E. Mac]a?ke.v. of Wood- 
,sun County, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Maelaskey began their domestic life in 
tlieir native state but in 1880 came to Kansas. In. 1876. prior to his com- 
ii;g to Kansas, he purchased o?ie hundred and sixty acres in Woodson 
County, nineteen miles "northwest of Yates Center, and since that time he 
has added to his possessions until he now is owner of the valuable pi'operty 
def'cribed above. Recently he removed his residence to a place two miles 
north of where he so long resided. His farm is one of the most desirable 
iu this portion of the county. He is engaged in stock-raising and has some 
very fine grades of shorthorn and Hereford cattle, which find a rcad.v sale 
on the market. He had only a team and wagon at the time of his marriage, 
and he has made practically all that he has since conu'ng to Kansas. He is 
i:ow one* of the wealthy farmers of the coiiunnnity and his property is a 
n:onument to his enterprise and thrift. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. McClaskey has been bles'ed with eiirht 
children, namely: "William L.. now a stenographer in St. Louis. Missouri: 
Lizzie A., at home: Alford. wlio is living in Gridle.v, Kansa.';: Charles A., 
who is married and resides in Woodson county: James A. and Samuel If.. 
who ai'c with their parents, and George W.. who died October Ifi. 1884. at 
the age of ten years and seven months, and Floyd E.. the youngest at home. 
In his political views. Mr. Maelaskey is a Democrat. He has filled the office 
•-f trustee of his township and is now serving as its treasurer, proving a 
competent and faithful officer. A quarter of a century has passed .since he 
came to Kansas, and through the entire period he has so lived a.s to win 
the confidence and good will of all with whom lie has been bronsrht in con- 
ti.ct. His success has been worthily won along the lines of honorable eflport 
so that the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity, and his upright 
e^"ample and successful career should serve as a source of inspiration to 
others. 



SANFORD C. PARIS. 

On the roster of county officials in Woodson County appears the name 
of Sanford 0. Paris among those who are serving as county commissioners. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 717 

His labors m bohalf of the coimty have been productive of good and indi- 
cate his loyalt}' to the best intere>;ts of citizenship. As an enterprising, 
practical and progressive farmer of Center township he is also widely 
known, and as a representative of the political and agricultural interests 
of thi.s portion of the state he well deserves mention in the history of 
AVoodson County. 

A native of Putnam County, Indiana, Air. Paris was born on the 10th. 
o'' December, 1847, a son of Allen and Elizabeth (Yquugman) Paris. The 
father was born in 1818, near Covington, Kentucky, and during his boyhood 
days went to the Hoosier state .where he grew to manhood and was mar- 
ried. His wife was also born in Kentucky and was a daughter of Jesse 
Youngman. The father of our subject followed farming and shoemak- 
ing throughout his entire life. In politics he was a Republican, recognized 
as one of the active local workers in his party. In October, 1883, he was 
killed by the falling of a limb, but is still .survived by his widow, who yet 
resides in Putnam County. Her children are: Agnes, of Putnam County; 
George, who died in 1863; Melissa, wife of W. F. Butler, of Putnam 
County ; Charles, who was a soldier of the Civil war and died in 1890,' in 
Putnam County leaving a family; Sanford G. ; Alice, wife of Jamas Ruark, 
of Putnam County, and Viola, wife of G. H. Hamm, of the same county. 

The school privileges of ^jauford G. Paris were somewhat limited. He 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and his time 
\'-as largely occupied with the laljoivs of the field. Since attaining his 
majority he has devoted five years to the coopering trade, and was also 
employed in a rolling mill in Greencastle, Indiana. Upon leaving that 
position he resumed farming, which he has since followed. In August, 1881, 
he arrived in Woodson County and first located in Toronto township, 
V here he engaged in the operation of rented land for four years. With 
money he had then saved from his earnings he purchased two hundi-ed acres 
of land in Center town.ship, upon which not a furrow had been turned or 
an improvement been made, but since 1885 a great transformation has 
been wrought in the appearance of the pi'operty, which is now one of the 
fine farms of the county, supplied with substantial buildings and all 
i;-odern conveniences and accessories. 

Ere leaving his native county Mr. Paris was married, in 1868, to Miss 
Mary Wheeling, a daughter of Augustus Wheeling, who belonged to an old 
Ohio family. Mr. and Mrs. Paris now have eight children: Grace E., 
wife of M. P. Davis, of Hutchinson, Kansas ; Walter, a blacksmith of Rose, 
Kansas, who married Sarah Reagan; Lillie, deceased; Herbert, Myrtle, 
Mabel, Glenn and Ross, who are still with their parents. 

Since attaining his majority JMr. Paris has been an earnest advocate 
or Republican principles and takes an active interest in furthering the wel- 
fare of the party in the community in which he resides. On that ticket he 
was elected county commissioner, in November, 1900, to represent the second 
district, which he carried by a majoi-i1y of two hundred and nine. He is 



7l8 HISTORY OK ALLEN AND 

new filliiijr that office and discharges his duties with the same promptness 
and practical spirit which characterizes his manafrement of his farininfr in- 
terests. 



W. 1'. KIN YON. 

\V. !'. KINYOX is a prominent farmer of Liberty township. Woodson 
County. His life has been a buyy and useful one and now he is livinjr souie- 
vhat retired from the more arduous duties of the farm, which have been as- 
sumed by his son, .Mr. Kinyon ke'iuit thus relieved of the harder work inci- 
dent to airricultnral life. He is a native of Bradford County. Pennsylvania, 
born June ."i IS'M, ayd is a sou of Pardon and Sallie (Egsrleston) Kinyon. 
b(.th of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father was a farmer 
b\ occupation and when a young man removed to Pennsylvania, where he 
carried on agricultural pursuits until his death which occtirred in 1856, 
^^■lleu he was fifty-five years of age. His widow survived liim for nearly 
ludf a century and passed away in Kansas when almost ninety years of age. 
They had four children, but only two are now living — W. P. and Mrs. 
Nancy Warner. 

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of faiiii 
life for W. P. Kinyon in his youth. He attended the common schools near 
his home and in the summer aided in the work of plowing, planting and 
harvesting. He was married in 1857 and then begau farming on his own 
account, being thus engaged until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when 
feeling that his duty was to the Union, he t idisted in the fall of 1861, being 
assigned to the Tenth New York cavalry with which he went to the front to 
protect the Stars and Stripes, the emblem of the undivided nation. He 
was oidy permitted to remain in the south for nine months, ill health com- 
pelling his discharge. 

Mr. Kinyon then retuiiud to his home atul family and in the fall of 
1864 removed to Minnesota, wliere lie purchased a small farm, making his 
home thereon until 1879— the .vear of his arrival in Kansas. Settling in 
l.iiui County he there rented a farm which he operated for two years when 
he came to AVoodson Count.v and purchased one hundred and twenty acres 
on Duck creek, twelve miles north of Yates Center, where he has made one 
of the most desirable homc^ in the township. His farm in every depart- 
ment indicates neatness, thrift and careful supervision. Among its leading 
fi atures is a nice re.'^idence. a good barn and fine orchard on the bank of 
the creek. He has a beautiful lawn of blue grass and in every particular 
1lie farm is modern and indica*es the supervision of a prosri'esyive owner. 

On the 2r)th of February, 18r)7, in Pennsylvania, ^fr. Kinyon mari'ied 
Miss Lydia 'S\. ^Yheeler. a native of Tioga County, that state, and a daughter 
of Moses and Cynthia (AYalker) "Wheeler. Her father was born Septem- 
ber 10, 1810, and died on the l.st. of Jidv, 1887, at the age of seventv-seven 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 719 

.years, whik' his wife, whose birth occurred in 1812. was called to her final 
re.st ill 1880. at the age of sixty-eight ytars. They were the parents of 
six children, of whom four are yet living: Mrs. Julia S. Potts, Mrs. 
Lydia M. Kinyon, Mrs. Lottie M. Lawrence and Mrs. Laura Oberhotzer. 
Those deceased are Mrs. Jane Curtis and Mr. Morris AVheeler. The mar- 
riage of 'Ml', and Mrs. Kinyon has resul'ed in the birth of five children, 
01 whom three survive: Clarence M., who is living on a farm near his 
father; Edmund (i., who ir an editor and until recently was part owner 
of the "Woodson County Advocate and Wilbur I\L. who is mentioned 
later on. Frank E. died in Minnesota, and Merton A. passed away in 
Oklahoma, i'ueh in brief is the history of W. P. Kinyon — a man whom 
to know is to respect and lionGr for his life has ever been actuated by 
honorable principles and worthy moti\'es. 

Wilbur M. Kinyon, the youngest son was born in Minnesota, No- 
vember 8. 1874, and came to Kansaf Avith his parents in 1879. He was 
then a small boy and was therefore reared and educated in Woodson 
County. He has always lived wi'h hi;i father and mother and renders 
them filial care and devotion which adds much to the happiness of the 
exening of life for thein. He has taken charge of the home farm, thus 
relieving his father of responsibility and lal)or, and in addition he owns 
and opera+es eighty acres of land whieli adjoins the old homestead. He 
is engaged in stock-raising, handling all of the i-tock which the farms 
"ill support, and in this venture is meeting with gratifying success. 

"iVilbur M. Kinyon was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Evter, 
:. native of the Sunflower state and a daughter of J. E. and Mary B. 
Etter, both lesidents of Woodson County. They are well known young 
people of the community and have many warm friends in the county, the 
hospitality of many of the best homes being extended to them. Mr. Kin- 
yon is a young man of excellent business ability and executive force and 
his labors are being attended with prosperity. 



NAPOLEON B. BUCK. 

NAPOLEON B.- BUCK was born in Fayette County, Indiana, Feb- 
ruary 19, 1837, and was a son of Harmon Buck. At an early age he went 
to McLain County, Ulinois, where he secui'ed employment as a farm 
hand and at the age of six'^een years was apprenticed to learn the print- 
ing trade in the ofifiee of the Bloomington Pantagi'aph. from which time 
until his death he was connected wij^h the printing business, eithei' as 
.iourneyman or joui'nalist. He held an important position on the New York 
Tribune while its editor, Horace Greeley, was in the zenith of his fame and 
power. Tn 1882 he came to the west, locating in Yates Centr, where he be- 
came associated with R. R. Wells in the publication of the Yates Center Ar- 
^us. A few months later, purchsing the interest of his partner he gained 
full control of the paper. After a year or more had jiassed he sold the 



Ari;iis anil reuiovi-u in iv;iiisas City, where he reiuainii.1 im- about a year;^ 
but in the suuiuier of l{»t>t) he retiiruetl to Yates (."enter, puchasing a half 
intetest in the News and later beeouiinsi the posstssor of the coutroliui; 
iiiterest. He ably oondutrted that pap«r until September. 188S. when he 
Slid nut and came to Toiouto. he and his younire^t son taking charge of 
the I\V|M!bliean. to tie pid)lieation of whieh he devoied his energies until 
•'he afternoon preceding his death. 

Napoleon B. Hi;ek was married in New York city, August 2o. 186:?. 
n' Margaret Mayiie. and U'Uu tlieni were born five children: Edward, 
who is conneoled with the Alaniogordo i N. M.) News; Charles A.. 
Laura, wife of Jacob E. Taylor, of Yates Center; Mabel A., who died in- 
ii. fancy, and Lida "A., wife of K. L. Maxsou, of Toronto. Kansas. 

The father of this family was one of the valued residents of WoihI- 
siMi Cotmty. As a citizen he was always ae'nated by the principles of 
loyality and patriotism and as a neighbor he was respected for his chari- 
table and benevolent spirit. As an eilitor and publisher he considere<l 
his business interests from the beginning to be identical with every enter- 
prise in the city and his trenchant pen was always ready to indite words 
of counsel and suggestions for the material interest of the community. Al- 
ways brave under discoiiragemt nts and hopeful under reverses, his ex- 
ample and intluence have indiicetl those around him to stand without 
wavering iu the battle of life. On all questions of public policy, either 
political or moral, after due deliberation he took a firm stand and was 
persistent iu the advocacy of what he considered to be right and just and 
for the best inteie^t of all. 

Charles A. Buck was born in St. Louis, Missouri. October 27. 1S66: 
was educated in Nashville. Tennessee, and from early youth has been con- 
nectetl with the new.-paper business, which he mastered both in principle 
and detail. He has betn employed in newspaper oflBces in Evansville. 
Indiana, in Kansas City. Miss^ouri ; Cleveland. Ohio : New York city. Chi- 
cago. Milwaukee. St. Louis. Topeka. Denver. Los Ansrelcs. San Francisco. 
San Digo and Tucson and published the Mail in Winslow, Arizona, 
and the Kevit'w in San Bernardino, .\fter the death of his father in 1>!'4 
he returned to Toronto. Kansas, and associated with his mother, eon- 
tinueii the publication of the Republican, which, under their manage- 
ment has taken high rank among the newspapers in this portion of the 
state. He is also serving as postmaster, to which position he was ap- 
pointed in April. 1S97. entering upon the dnties of the office on the ITth. 
of that month. And in April. 1898. he sold his interest to his mother 
who still conducts the office. 

In .\pril. 1896. in Kansas Cit,v. Mi!--souri. Mr. Buck was married to 
Miss Allie Hmlgeiuan. a daughter Frances E. Hodgeman, of Cleveland. 
Ohio, and in Toronto they have many friends who gladly extend to thera 
the hcvsnitalit^- of their homes. 



tt'OODSoN Cora'riES. kansas. 



SMIUEL n. HOGUELAXD. 



'Carlisle has said, ""Biography is by uatui-e the most universallj'- profi- 
"table, uuiwrsally pleasant of all things,"' and in the life record of such 
men as j\lr. Hoguelaml tliere is certainly a les;:.on of value. To the sub- 
..lect of this review there has come the attainment of a distinguished posi- 
tion in eonneetiou with the substantial upbuilding of Woodson County, 
■and his eti'orts liav^ been so discerningly directed along well detined lines 
that he seems to have reached at any one point of progre;s the full 
measure of his possibilities for aeeomplishment at that point. A man 
'of distinctive and forei'ful individuality and most niatiu-e judgment, he 
has left and is leaving his impress upon the county of his home, contrib- 
uting in very large measure to its improvement and progress. Within the 
last five years peiha])s no other on<3 citizen has aided more largely in the 
-growth and development of this portion of the stat^^ He is now acting 
iis iunnigration agtnt for the JMissouri Pacide Railroad company and is 
one of the leading real estat-e nM?n of southeastern Kansas. 

Mr. Hogueland was born in Belmont County, Ohio. April 10, -1850. 
and is a son of William B. Hogueland a resident of Yates Center. In 
-era-l}' life our subject accompanied his parents on their removal to Brown 
County. Indiana, where he was reared. He acquired a collegiate educa- 
tion, completing the work of the junior year, but laid aside his' te.xt 
books when aboiit nineteen years of age, at which time he came to Kansas, 
the family removing to the Suntlower state.. Here he entered upon his busi- 
ness career, learning the harness-maker's trade with G. W. Fender, of 
Keosho Falls, wh.ere he was engaged in this business for fifteen years. 
He then embarked in the real istate business, beginning oi>erations along 
that line in Neojho Falls, but transferring liis headqxiarters to Yates 
Center in 1873. Here he has conducted many impoi'tant transactions 
and for the past four yeai's he has been identified with the Missouri Pa- 
'c'fic Railway and with the Chicago & Alton Railroad company as immi- 
gration agent. His business in this line has assumed immense propor- 
tions and Mr. Hogueland has been intnimental in a large measure in pro- 
iMoting the recent rapid settlement and development of the county. 
Hundreds of eastern people have been induced bj- him to visit Kansas 
and a large percentage of them have made investments in Kansas real 
estate. Land in the vicinity of Yates Cen'er has arisen in value five dol- 
lars per acre because of his modern methods of handling the immigra- 
tion business. All through Iowa and Illinois he has also established of- 
fices and placed men of business ability in them as representatives of his 
work. Mr. Hogueland is a gentleman of keen discrimination, splendid 
executive force and capable uiana<renient. He readily grasps the situa- 
tion, recognizes the points of business that contribute to success and is 
determined in the execiition of his well formulated plans, and moreover 
■while his labors have proven of individual profit they have also con- 
tributed in lai'ge measure to the ueneral prosperity of the communities 



J 2 2 H'rSTORY Ol^ ALLEN AXil 

v, iili which he is icicutil!ed. He is one ui' Ihe k'ailiiis; hiisiiie.s.s men iii'' 
Yates Center in the development of the gas fieh.ls of this locality, and has 
lieen one of tlie heaviest contiibutois to the iund secured in order to sink 
wells and de ermine upon the gas supply in this region. 

Mr. llogueland wa; united in marriatre in Xeosho Falls, in A])ril, 
1873, to Miss Frances Biddison. a daughter of Sanaiel Biddison. Unto 
tiieui have been hoin the iollawing children: Ernest H., who is reading 
Irw in Topeka with the firm of Rossington, Smith & Ilisted, is a graduate' 
of the .schools of Yates Center and for three years was a student in Wash- 
burn College ;o tha' he has a broad general knowledge to serve as a 
foundation upon which to nar the superstructure of his professional 
learning. Cora,' the daughter, is a graduate of the schools of Yates 
Center and is now filling a position as stenographer and lypewi-iter. 
8he is also a bonded absn'aet agent of Woodson county. The family 
is one of prominence in the connnunity. its representatives occupying 
high i>ositions in the social circles-. In his political affiliations Mr. 
ITogueland is a stalwart Republican and has supported each year the 
c:-iididates of the parly since casting hi;- first vote for Cenei'al V. S. 
(irant. Socially he is connecttd with the Masonic. Odd Fellows and 
Knisilits of Pythias orders, has been a delegate to the Masonic grand 
Uidge and has filled all of the offices in the local .Masonic and Odd Fel- 
htws societies. 

Mr. Hogueland makes his home in Yates Center, but the boundaries 
of the town are too limited for the capabilities of such a man. He is 
a nuin of the state— a typical representative of the American spirit 
which within the past century has achieved a work that at once arouses 
tlic admiration and a.stonishment of the wcn-ld. Wood.son County is 
fortuiuite that he has allied his interests -ivith hers. The marvelous 
development of the West is due to such men. whose indomitable energy 
and progressive rpirit have overcome all obstacles and reached the goal 
of success. He is not so abnormally developed as to be called a genius, 
but he is one of the strongest because one of the best balanced, mo.st 
even and self-masterful of men. and he has acted his part so well in both 
public and private life that Yates Center has been enriched by his ex- 
ample, his character and his labor. 



HIRA.M JEFFRH-:s. 

For nineteen years Hiram JetTries has resided \ipon the farm in 
Center township. Woodson County, which he now oeoipies. This covers 
the whole period of his res-idence in Kansas. Throughout the entire 
time he has followed agricultural pursuits and his place— one of the best 
improved in the township— is an evidence of an active, busy and useful 
career. 



WOOUbON COUNTIHS, KAXSAS. 723 

Mr. Jeffries wa;- born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, on the 1st 
Oj' August, 1839, and is a son of Darlington Jeffries, who was born in 
Paj'ttte Count.v, Pa., in 1801, and was reared in the same county. The 
grandfather, William Jeffries, was born in Chester County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and after his marriage removed to Fayette County, M-here he 
died May 21, 1848, agtd 88 years. His first wife was Ann Woodward, 
who bore him Joseph. Rebeeea, William, Hannah. Taylor, Ann, Mifflin, 
Fjlizabeth and i\Inry A. His second wife was Martha Mendenhall, whose 
children were Jane. Darlington. Esther and Martha M. 

Darlington Jeft'ries remained in the state of his nativity until 1867, 
when he removed to McDonough County. Illinois, where he spent his 
remaining days, dying in 1886. He followed farming throughout his 
entire life. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah ]\Iiller, and was a 
(laughter of William Miller. By her marriage she became the mother 
of fifteen childitn: Rebecca M. wife of Eli Woodward, of McDonough 
Coun\v. Illinois: William M. of Payette County, Pennsylvania: Lewis, 
of McDonough County, Illinois: Hiram: Robert, who is living in Ne- 
bi'aska : Matilda, wife of George Moore, of Payette County. Pennsjd- 
vnnia: I.ydia, deceased wife of Joseph Hezlett: Warwick W., of Den- 
ver, Colorado: Mv9. Rachel Wright, of Chicago, Illinois; Aaron, of Cal- 
ifornia: Oliver, deceased; I ewton, of Hancock County, Illinois; Eliza- 
beth, widow of William Granger, of Hancock County, Illinois ; . E.ster 
A., wife of David Miner, of California, and Mary, deceased. 

Under the parental roof. Mr. Jeft'ries spent the days of his minority 
and to the common school system of the country he is indebted for the 
educational privileges which he enjoyed. Practical experience in the 
work of the farm had well qualified him for the duties of agriculture, 
when he began farming on his own account, and throughout his active 
business career he has succe:sfidly engaged in the tilling of the soil. 
When he started out upon an independent career, he had only a span 
01 horses, two cows and two hogs. Located in LaSalle County. Illinois, 
he there remained for one year and in 1864 he took up his abode in Mc- 
Donoiigh county, that state, where he continued to reside until 1882, 
when he came to Kansas. He then took up his abode upon the farm 
which is still his home, purchasing a half section of land, which he has 
transformed into one of the most valuable and attractive farms in Center 
township. 

In Fayette County. Pennsylvania, in February. 1861. Mr. Jeffries 
was married to Miss Martha Combs, a daughter of Joseph Combs, and 
unto them have been born the following named : Lou Emma, who mar- 
ried Clara Pullington ; William, who mari'ied Ida Keraler: Joseph, de- 
ceased: Sarah, widow of Horace Normington, and John, of Jasper 
(^unty, Missouri, 

In earh' life, the father of our sub.ieet was a Whig and when tl\e 
Republican part.v was formed became one of the stalwart supporters of 



HISTOkY OF ALl.KN ANIi 

that orjiauization. Reared in that political faith, and sanctioning the 
principles of Republicanism with his mature judgment, Mr. Jeffries has 
ever continued to east hi.s ballot for its men and measures. He luis 
served as treasurer of the .school board, but otherwi.se has never helci 
office. The family attend the Baptist church and Mr Jeffries with- 
holds his supi)ort from no movement or measure which has for its ob.iect 
the frood of the counnuni^y. lie is ju^-tly regarded as a vahiable citizen 
and as a most progressive, enterprising and practical farmer who.se well 
directed efforts have been the means of bringing to him gratifying pros- 
perity. 



JOSEPH P. BAYLESS. 

This well known citizen of "Woodson County is one of the most ex- 
tensive sheep raisers in Kansas and has been largely interested in im- 
proving the grade of stock raised in the ^tate. His efforts have there- 
fore been of public benefit for the improvement of stock adds to its mar- 
ket value and the wealth of the agricultural class is augmented theieby. 
The rich meadow lands of southeastern Kansas provide excellent oppor- 
tunities to the stock-raiser, and this industrj'' has become a most impor- 
tant one in the commercial interests of Woodson County. 

l\rr. Bayless. who resides in Center township, arrived in the county 
on the 24th of September. ISSl. coming from Jasper County, Iowa. He 
is. however, a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Bea- 
ver County, on the 1st of June, 1886. His father. Nathan J. Bayless. 
was born in Cecil County, Maryland, in 1796, but was reared in the 
Keystone state and throughout his business career carried on farming. 
He married Elizabeth Booth, a native of Virginia, and unto them were 
born seven children: Mary, who became the wife of George Billing.sley, 
and after his death married Alexandei- McCalla. but is now deceased: 
Lydia. fVceased wife of John Billingsley; Samuel, who has also pas>ed 
away: Cassander: Hannah, wife of John IMcCalla. a resident of Salem, 
Ohio: Elizabeth, deceased, and Nathan J. The father of this family 
departed this life on the 26th of December, 1869, and the mother passed 
away April 27. 1863. at the age of seventy-one. 

Tn taking up the personal history of Joseph F. Bayless. we present 
to our readers the record of one who is widely and favorably known in 
Woodson County. Educated in the district schools, he began his busi- 
ress career as a general farmer and stock raiser before attaining his 
ma.iority. On the 11th of October. 1860. when twenty-four years of ace, 
he secured a faithful companion and helpmeet for life's .journe.v by his 
marriage to Miss Esther P. Duff, a daughter of William Duff, who 
resided in western Pennsylvania and was of Irish descent. His wife boie 
the maiden name of Esther Caughey and her parents were of Scotch 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 725 

extraction. 'Mr. Dult' served as a soldier in the war of 1812. His child- 
ren were: Sarah A., widow of David Wallace, of New Concord, Ohio; 
Eleanor, deceased wife of Archibald McNair, of Mercer County, Penn- 
sylvania ; Samuel C, who is living in Beaver County- ; Mary and Eliza 
J., who have passed away, and Mrs. Bayless. 

For ten years after his marriage, the subject of this review, re- 
mained in his native state and then removed with family to Bates County, 
Missouri, settling upon a farm which he made his home for about five 
years. He then went to Jasper County, Iowa, where he spent a similar 
period, and on the 24th of September, 1881, he arrived in Woodson 
County. Here he located on section fourteen, township twenty-five, 
range fourteen and owns three-fourths of the section. His land is di- 
vided into fields for cultivation and into pastures to afford grazing for 
the stock. He makes a specialty of the raising of sheep and his opinion 
is regarded as authority on that subject in this portion of the country. 
He also has some fine grades of horses, cattle and hogs, and in his fields 
lie produces rich crops. He takes a connnendable pride in keeping every- 
thing about the place in first-class condition, and fields and l)uildings all 
indicate his careful siipervifion and progressive methods of farming. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bayless has been blessed with five child- 
ri n : Lillie E., wife of B. P. Graham, of Whitman County, Washington ; 
Stanton W., of Lake Charles, Louisiana : Laura M.. wife of William Me- 
Daniel. of Okanogan County, Washington ; Adelaide G., wife of Herbert 
P. Lewis, of Ashcroft, British Columbia, and Jessie G.. a graduate of 
the Kansas Agricultural College, of the class of 1898. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bayless have many friends in their adopted county, and during the 
twenty years of his residence here, Mr. Bayle.'-s has been accounted one 
of the leading agriculturists of the community, not alone on account of 
the success he has achieved in bttsiness but also because of his fidelity and 
loyalty as a citizen and his earnest stipport of all that he believes ivill 
pi'omote the general good. 



JOHN HARDING. 

COLONEL HARDING, for thus he is known among his friends. 
i.*^ a leading farmer of Woodson County and an honored veteran of the 
Civil war whose lo.valty to the Union cause was manifest by his bravery 
(in many a battlefield of the South. He was born in Luzerne County, 
Pennsylvania, on the 14th of August, 1831, and is a son of Henry Hard- 
ing, a native of Exeter, Luzerne County, born in 1802. The paternal 
j;randfather. John Harding. Sr., was the sole survivor of the Indian 
massacre in the Wyoming valley. A native of Massachitsetts, he became 
one of the early settlers of Luzerne County and there bore his part in 
reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization. He made farm- 



726 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

iiig his life \vori<. followintf that arduous task amid the forests of his 
adopted state. He married a .Miss Jenkins, and in their pioneer home 
they reared their large family, of whom Henry Harding was the 
youngest. 

The father of our sub.ject also became a farmer and wa.s very suc- 
erssful, leaving a valuable estate at his death. He s-upported the Whig 
party and was recognized as a local political leader, his opinions carry- 
ing weight in the councils of his party. He was always a great student 
of the Bible and had a (irm belief in the life beyond the grave and that 
he should en.joy that life. He married Sarah Montanye. who died in 
1889, at the age of eighty-four years. Their children were: Henry I\I., 
assi-stant .iudge of the circuit court and a resident of Wyoming County, 
Pennsylvania; Ivaac, who is living in the Yosemite valley of California; 
John, of this review; Amy. wife of Clinton DeWitt. of Pittslon. Penn.syl- 
vania ; Fannie, wife of Jerry Worral. of San Francisco, California ; 
Mahala B.. widow of Punderson Miller, of Tunkhannock. Pennsylvania ; 
fjucy. wife of William Weatherbee. of IC.xeter. Pennsylvania : M. Adelia. 
wife of Dr. M. H. Everett, of Lincoln. Nebraska. 

In his early boyhood John Harding was a student in the country 
.schools and Igiter attended the Wyoming i-'eminary of the Wyoming 
Valley, completing his education in the New York Conference Seminary. 
He left that institution to go to Lee C'ounty, Illinois, where he engaged 
in teaching at intervals for several years. He resided in Wyoming town- 
s-hip. Lee County, and there remained for twenty-six years, devoting his 
time to educational work and merchandising. In 1859 ho returned to 
Pennsylvania, where he again followed teaehing at intervals also spend- 
ing some time as a salesnuin in mercantile establishments. 

In 186-3 Mr. Harding was employed with an engineering corps at 
Washington. D. C. and the following year he returned to Luzerne 
County, where he was drafted for service. He paid three hundred 
dollars comnnitation money, and immediately afterward was commis- 
.sioned second lieutenant in the recruiting service. He recruited seventy- 
two men. had them mustered in and was then commissioned first 
lieutenant of Company G. Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, with which command he joined the Fifth Corps on the 
15tli of Sen^ember. imder General Meade. Lieutenant Harding parti- 
cipated in the battle of South Side Kailroad. October 28. 1864, and 
of Hatcher's Pun. in FebruarJ^ 1865. At the latter he was shot 
through the right elbow. On the 18th of May. 1865. he received an 
houornble discharge, and was mustered out under general order. No. 82. 
aiid sj)eeial order. No. 238. He participated in the Grand Peview in 
Wa.shington and then returned to his home in Luzerne County. Pennsyl- 
vania, the last of IMay. 1865. 

The following fall IMr. Harding returned to Wyoming township. Lee 
Ccuntv. Tllinois.where he was ensraged in general merchandising, and in 



'^OO'nSO'N COUNT lES, KA.s.-.,v.>. -727 

'rhe luinliei- business. I'ol lowing' those ]iursait.s iinti] 1(S<S4, when he was 
induced to come West where land could be obtained cheaper. Making 
liis way to Wood.'^on County, Kansas, he purchased section fifteen, Center 
township, and has since devoted his attention to the raising and shipping 
■of stock. lie is one of the leading representatives of the business in this 
part of the .state and through the prosecution of his labors is winning 
a high degree of prosperity. 

On the 1st of January, 18f)7. Colonel Harding was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Minnie T. Bostic, a daughter of William Bostic. wlio was 
originally from Carlisle. Pennsylvania. Her mother bore the maiden 
name of Susan L. Atkinson, and their only child is Mrs. Harding, who by 
her marriage lias become the mother of seven children : Affa. E., wife 
of Oscar Fullington, of Yates Center; Harry, at home; Ethel A., a stu- 
dent in the Kansas State Normal school ; Mabel F., wife of W. A. Taylor, 
I'l MePlierson, Kanras: Minnie D., James T. and John M.. who are with 
their parents. 

In his politicjjl views Colonel Harding has always been a s+alwart. 
enthusiastic Republican, very zealous in siipport of the party. He cast 
his first vote for Winfield Scott, his second for John C. Fremont and 
since that time has never failed to vote for each Republican candidate 
for the presidency. He is a leading citi/en. influential in the ranks of his 
party, and is ever ready to give his co-operation and aid to measures 
which have for their object the general good. He is to-day as true to 
his duties of eitizen-sliip as when he followed the starry banner througli 
the South. 



ERNEST LINDER. 

Mr. Linder's residence on Owl creek antedates that of anj^ other 
resident now living along that stream. The history of Woodson County 
in pioneer day.« is therefore very familiar to him as well as that of the 
later progress and development. He arrived here on the 13th of April, 
1857, and through the passing years has been a representative of the 
agricultural interests of this portion of the state. 

Erne-t Linder was born in Baden, Germany, October 31, 1827, and 
■was a son of Jacob Linder, also a native of that country. He was a 
•stone mason by trade and spent his early life in Carlsruhe. where he 
married Barbara Stobber. Coming to this country he spent the last four 
years of his life in Owl Creek township. Woodson County, where he 
died in 1870. at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife passed 
away the following year. Their children were: Ernest, of this re\'iew: 
August, who died in Freeport, Illinois, in 1896 ; Frank, who also died 
in Freeport: Louise, who died in 18fi2; Christina, a twin sister of Louise, 
>ind now a widow of Richard Perdel. of Allen County, Kansas, and Caro- 



^...-, H'rs'rOKY OP' AI.LEN A'NTT 

f-hio, wife oi 'MavUu Keiii, ol' Allen County. 

Throughovit the period of his minority Ernest Linder remained in) 
the fatherkuid and there learned the stone mason's trade. Deciding tc* 
eniifirate to America in 1852. he sailed from Havre, Prance, landing in 
Xew York after forty-eight days spent upon the bosom of the Atlantic. 
He made the journey with the other members of the family, and after 
tvaehing the slioies of tl:e new world they continued their westward 
journey at-ioss the country to Wisconsin and later went to Stephenson 
Cojinly. Illinois, where our subject remained until 1857, working at his 
liade. He then came to Kansa'-;. his trip resulting from accounts which 
he read in a paper published at Osawatomie and which advocated the 
principles and plans of John Brown, the celebrated abolitionist. 

In company with his brother August. ^Ir. Linder went by rail to- 
>^t. Lonis, Mo., thence by boat to Kan.sas City and from that place by 
;tage to Lawrence, Kas., where they stopped for a shoit i-econnaissance. 
On learning something about the country and its opportunities, they 
.started on foot for the southeastern corner of the state, spending the 
first night in Ohio City, near where the city of Ottawa is now located. 
The .'••ecoiid night was passed in the home of an old bachelor west of the 
site of Gan'iett, and the ne.xt day they proceeded along the Indian trail' 
to Leroy, which was then a small village. On the fourth morning they 
crossed the Keosho river. Continuing on their wa.y to Cherry ci-eek. and 
in that locality for some months they made their home with John Cole- 
man. The brothers at once began searching for good claims and Mr. 
Linder of this review entered the northeast quarter of section thirty- 
three, township twenty-five, range seventeen. He then 'began the erec- 
tion of a rude cabin, followed by the work of clearing and improving his 
land, upon which he has resided continuously since, transforming the 
wild tract into a richly cultivated farm, where well tilled fields give 
promise of bounteous harvests, and buildings and fences, all in good 
fe])air, indicate the careful supervision of a painstaking owner. 

Since coming to the county Mr. Linder has followed farming with 
the e.xception of the time of his service in the Union army. In 1862 he 
enlisted in Company F. Ninth Kansas Cavalry. The regiment spent its 
time largely in Kansas and Missouri during the first two years and the 
liist year in Arkansas, being finally mustered out at Duvalls Bluff, that 
state. The only battle in which Mr. Linder participated was that of 
Newtoiiia in lSfi2. for the regiment was largely engaged in cheeking 
the operation of the liushwaekers. 

On the 20th of April, 1865, in Steplienson County. Illinois, Mr. 
Tjinder was united in marriage to Miss Julia Boyer. who was born in 
Carbon County, Pennsylvania. August 1, 1843, a daughter of John 
Boyer, who died in Owl Creek township, in 1800, at the age of seven ty- 
piglit years. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Fenstermacher. 
and they were the parents of ton children, as follows: John: Owen; 



"v\'00"DSO"N COlT^-l-l"ES, KA'NSAS. ^/2ti 

^■i^aroliue. widow ol' Henry Hoardner: Lizzie, deceased wife of John Oneu- 
Uher; Frances, who married Lou Knights; Emma, wife of Charles Waltoh 
Aaron and Sylvester, in Stephenson County, Illinois, and Mi's. Linder. 
'With the exception of tho:e otherwise designated all of the members of 
this family have been or are residents of Iowa. The home of Mr. and 
^Irs. Linder has been blessed with five chikh'en : Alice, wife of August 
'Stockebrand, of Wood.soii County; Prank Edward, who married Katie 
"Strauss and also resides in Woodson County: Laura, at home: Louisa, 
wife of Nicholas Bennett, of the same county, and Sarah, who completes 
the family. Mr. Linder and his family have long been connected with 
the Evangelical church and are worthy people of the community, win- 
ning friends by their true worth. Mr. Linder has been an important 
factor in the progress and development of the county, and his hhiup is 
enrolled liigh on the record of its honored pioneers 



WILLIAM HARTWIG. 

A brilliant example of a self-made American citizen, his record ex- 
H'mplifying the progress that an jinibitious foreigner can make in this 
•country of unbounded opportunities, is shown in the case of William 
Hartwig, one of the leading German-American citizens of Kansas. His 
'.singular success i.s due to liis own energy and the high ideal which his 
laudable ambition placed before him. Success in any walk of life is an 
indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort — characteristics 
which our sub.ject possesses in an eminent degree. 

Mr. Hartwig is numbered among the honored pioneers of Woodson 
'County where he located in 1858, taking up his abode in Owl Creek 
township in 1863. He was born in the village of Pummean, Prussia. 
"October 9. 1840, and was eighteen years of age when he came to Kansas 
-with his father, Gottlieb Hartwig. His active business life has all been 
parsed in this county. When the country became involved in war over 
the attempt at secession made by some of the Southern states, he enlisted 
under the starry banner of the Union, on the 1st of January, 1862, ,ioin- 
iug Company F. Ninth Kansas Infantry, at lola, under Captain B. F. 
Goss. He served all the time in Missouri, Kas., and Arkansas, taking 
part in few engagements, the most important being at Prairie Grove, 
Arkansas. He remained in the army, however, for three years, and was 
then honorably discharged, without having been wounded or taken 
piisoner. 

Upon his return to Woodson County. INIr. Hartwig resumed farm- 
ing. He was married here on the 9th of December. 1869, to Bertha 
■Shultz. a daughter of Christian Shultz. a German by birth, then residing 
in Woodson County. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartwig have been born the fol- 
lowins children: Henry A., of Rochester, New York, who is with the 



71)0 HTS'l^bfiY OJ-'^ ALLE.S' A.n'ij 

Koehestcr, Hullalo oi PiUsbiir^' railroad; .Matilda, wile of Luke Beckett;, 
(.i' ^Vood^o^ (.'ouiitv; Amelia, wife of Edward Smith, of the same county: 
Marj'. Minnie, Charles. Nellie. Elsie. Freddie and Lillie, all yet at home. 
The family n.sidenee is a very comfortable one situated in the midst 
ff an ex'en.sivt? farm <m section twenty-nine, Owl (.'reek townshi)). Mr. 
fiartwi? now owns six hundred acres of valuable land, of which five hun- 
dred and eijlhty acres is comprised within the home farm and is a I'ich 
and arable tract. None of the modern accessories and improvements arc 
lacking upon this desirable place, srood buildinfis. well kept fences, mod- 
ern machinery and well tilled fields all indicating to the pas.ser-by the 
fhiift and en'erprise of the owner, whose progressive spirit and inde- 
t'atigable labors ha%'e won him a creditable position among the leading 
ami repi-e entative farmers of the township. In politics he is a Republi- 
can antl has served as township trustee and township clerk, capably dis- 
charging the duties of both pos-itions. He represents the best class of 
our Oerman-American citizens, reliable in business, steadfast of purpose, 
ffdthful in friendship and loyal to our Republican institutions, thus in- 
dicatiiio; his strong love for the land of liis adoption. 



PHOT AS BLmiE. 

Under circumstances w'hich would have utterly discouraged and dis- 
heartened a man of less resolute spirit and earnest purpose rrotas Blume 
has workid his wa.v upward to success. At times fate has seemed to be 
adverse and obstacles and difficulties have barred his path, but perse- 
verance and energy have conquered all. and to-day Mr. Blume is living in 
honorable retirement in a pleasant residence in Yates Center, his toil in 
former years having brought to hiin a competence which now supplies 
li!m with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. If more 
young men followed his example, the word "failure"' would appear less 
rre(|uently in connection with biographical history. 

Mr. Blume was bom in Strasburg. (iermany, jMay 6, 18;?2, and 
there spent the first ten years of his life, after which he came to 
America with his father, Joseph Blue, in 1842. They landed in 
New York City and then went to Cincinnati, O.. where the father died 
of cholera at the age of fifty-eight years. Ilis wife had dietl in Oermany 
prior to his emigration to the new world. Our sub.ieet. then a young 
boy. engaged as an apprentice to learn the tailor's trade and was em- 
ployed in Cincinnati for five years, after which he removed to Aloorfield. 
Indiana, whei-e be secured a situation as a farm hand, working by the 
month. 

As a coni|)anion and helpmate on the .iourney of life he chose Mi?s 
Christiana McKinzie. who was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, in 
182-^. and was of Scotch lincaire. Their marriage was celebrated on the 



WOODSON countie;;, kaxsas. 731 

]9tli of Jy unary, 1858, and Mr. Bhime contiuiied farming in the Hoosier 
Slate until 1862. when feeling that his eonntry needed his services he 
enlisted as a member of Company B, Fortieth Indiana Infantry and par- 
ticipated in the battles of Nashville and Franklin. In the latter he was 
severely wounded in tlie back of the head and for a long time lay ill in 
the hospital, after which he was discharged on aeeouet of his injury, after 
.serving for nineteen months. 

Mr. Blume then returned to Indiana and as soon as he was able he 
and his wife removed to Madison County, that state, where he used the 
money which he had saved in the army to make partial payment upon 
a farm. To make the purchase he incurred an indebtedness of five hun- 
dred and sixty-three dollars. He labored hard and at length acquired the 
money with which to make full payment. On the 2d of December, 1867, 
therefore, he started for the recorder's office with the money, but the 
n:an to whom he owed it failed to mtet him. He then started to return 
and while crossing a bridge he was attacked by highwaymen, knocked 
.■enseless and the money talcen from him. the robbers making their escape. 
This was such a discouragement that Mr. Blume resolved to lose what 
he had already paid on the farm and go to Kansas where he could obtain 
land from the government. Accordingly, in the spring of 1868, he ar- 
rived in Humboldt, Kas., with only a dollar and sixty-five cents in his 
pocket. The next day he began work for William Lassman at hauling 
sand. After three months he filed a claim to one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in Eminence township. Woodson Count.y. 

Since that time Mr. Blume has devoted his energies to agricidtural 
pursuits, and has made one of the finest farms in the county. He has 
s;nce taken one hundred and sixty acres of land each for two of his sons, 
and his home farm comprises two hundred and forty acres — a valuable 
tiact on which is a fine residence and three large barns together with 
I'-any other improvements. The cattle barn will accommodate sixty-five 
head of cattle, and he has two barns for the horses, together with cow 
pens and other buildings, somewhat resembling a little village. On the 
place is a fine grove of maples, containing ten hundred and twenty-eight 
trees in rows four feet apart in one direction, six feet in the other. At 
the well there are also nineteen trees, which were planted by his wife, 
who pulled up the switches and carried them home, planting them in 
their preJ-ent location. They are now two feet thick and one hundred 
feet in height and stand as monuments to Mrs. Blume. As the years 
have passed Mr. Blume has met with a high degree of success in his farm- 
ing and ptock raising operations, and with a handsome competence suf- 
ficient to supply his wants throughout the evening of life he has retired 
I0 Yates Center where he is happily and quietly living with the wife who 
through more than forty years has been his faithful and devoted com- 
panion on life's journey. They took up their abode in the city No- 
vember 15. 1897— the only removal they have made since coming to 
Woodson County. 



732 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bliiiue was blessed with five children : 
■Joseph D.. who resides upon the home farm; Andrew J., who is Jivinfi on 
one of his father's farms near Buffalo; Jarvis Amos, who is now a prac- 
ticing attorney of Chicago, where he has made his home for eight years: 
.\nna. wife of D. IM. Corley. and John H. The daughter was born in 
1S62 and died February 18. 1895, leaving a daughter in Basin. Mon- 
tana, while the youngest son, born August 28, 1865, died June 0. 1877. 
Such in brief is the his'ory of Protas Blume — a man whose industrious 
aiid upright life has ever eonuuanded the respect and e(mfidenee of his 
fellow men. A resolute spirit has been the dominating element in his 
success and has brought him prospei-itv which is iiuleed enviable and 
c'<iually as well deserved. 



WILLIAM E. HOGUELANU. 

Few, if any residents of Yates Center are more widely, and cer- 
tainly none are more honorably known than William E. Ilogueland. the 
present postmaster, whose worth as a man, as a citizen and as a pidjlic 
official have gained for him the confidence and good will of all with 
whom he has been brought in contact. His reptitatiou in the line of his 
profession — the law— is not of restricted order and he has won many 
notable forensic combats v.* the bar where his oi>ponents have b-en men 
of acknowledged skill and ability. 

It is therefore a matter of gratification to the biographer to touch 
upon the more salient features in the life history of Mr. Hogueland, who 
was boi-n in Nashville, Indiana, on the -id of October, 1859. He is a 
grandson of John Hogueland. whose ancestors came from Holland to 
America and settled in the old Dutch colony of New York. William 
B. Hogueland, the father of our sub.ject, was born in Philadelphia on 
the site of the present campus of Girard college, in the year 182^? and 
after arriving at years of maturity he married Cordelia Barnes, who was 
born in Belmont County. Ohio, in 18:?2. They are still living and their 
children are: Samuel H. : Mary, who is the widow of AV. A. Atchison 
ai.d is in the Indian school servieee at Flandru, South Dakota; Flora, 
wife of M. C. Bidwell. of Norborne. Missouri, and AYilliam Edward, of 
this review. 

When a lad of ten years AVilliani E. Hogueland accomj>anied his 
parents on their removal to Kansas, the family locating in Neo.sho Falls, 
where he continued his education, being graduated in the high school. 
When only sixteen years of age he began reading law, and at the age of 
nineteen he was admitted to the bar before Judge Talcott. Throughout 
the years of his practice he has resided in Woodson County. In January. 
1888. he formed a law partnership with the Hon. G. R. Stephenson at 
Vates Center, Kansas, which relationship was maintained until January. 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 7_-:3 

1697. The couiiection was then dissolved by mutual consent and Mr. 
Hogueland entered into partnership with Hon. G. H. Lamb. Since his 
admission to the bar he has been actively engaged in practice and . has 
been retained either as counsel for the plaintiff or defendant in every 
important case tried in the courts of the county. His practice extends 
ihroughout Southeastern Kani-as and is of a distinctively representa- 
tive character . He has especially prepared himself as a counselor and 
has the reputation of being one of the best informed and safest counselors 
i; the district. He has much natui-al ability but is withal a hard student 
and is never contented until he has mastered every detail of his cases. 
He believes in the maxim "there is no excellence without labor," and 
follows it closely. He is never surprised by some unexpected . discovery 
by an opposing lawyer, for in his mind he vreighs every point and forti- 
lits himself as well for the defense as for the attack. He is not an 
orator to the extent of .'■waying juries by his eloquence, and for this 
reason he has been accovded more fame as a counselor than as an advo- 
cate, and yet there are few lawyers who win a larger percentage of their 
cases before either .judge or .jury than does Mr. Hogueland. 

On the 22d of July, 1887, Mr. Hogueland was united in marriage 
tc Mirs Mattie R. Foster, of Slater, Missoiiri, and unto them two children 
iii.ve been born, Frank F., and Alice B. Her father was a native of Eng- 
land and becanie an early harness and trunk manufacturer of Racine, 
Wisconsin. 

When onl}^ twenty-one years of age Mr. Hogueland was elected clerk 
of the district court of Woodson County, in the year 1880. and served 
in that capacity for eight years, which was the only political office he had 
filled up to the time of the election of President INIcKinley, when he asked 
and received the appointment of postmaster of Yates Center, Kansas, in 
which capacity he is now acceptably serving. He has always been an 
advocate of Republican principles, devoting his time and money for the 
sD.ecess of the party in whose principles he so firmly believes. He has 
served for a number of years on the various coiinty committees and is 
n(;w chairman of the fourteenth senatorial district committee. Mr. 
Hogueland 's life has certainly been a successful one and for this he de- 
serves great credit. By determined purpose, and in the face of grave 
difficulties he has worked his way steadily upward to a position of prom- 
inence and honor among his fellow townsmen and enjoys the well-earned 
distinction of being what the public calls "a self-made man." 



ABN?]R YATES. 

'I'o have attained to the extreme fullness of years and to have had 
Mje"s ken bi'oadened to a comprehension of all that has been aeeomp- 
■shed within the fliaht of many davs, is of itself sufficient to render con- 



~T,6 ins'l'ouv of ALLKS \<:u 

pie ainony: whom ho casts his lot. 'Slv. Weitle, as his name indicates is of 
( eriiian birth, but in America he has found the opportunities wuich he 
sought for a fuee^-ssful business career. He was born iu the fatherland,. 
Atigust 4, 1847, his patents being Godfrey and Lottie (llockerott) 
Wcitl^. who were na;ives of (lerniauy and were there reared and married, 
fn lb54 tlicy e:o,ssed the Allantie to the new world and located in Cook 
County. Illinois, where the father engjiged in farming, but not being sat- 
i>tied with that portion of the country and wishing to make his home iu 
a locality where lie could secure more land and a larger range for stock, 
he came to Kansas in 1858. After a year spent in Coffey County he- 
eame to Woodson County in 1859, setttling on Turkey Creek, twelve 
miles northwest of Yates Center, wliere he engaged in raisiug both 
sheep aud cattle. He was also the owner of a very large tract of 
land at the time of his death, which occurred in 1899. when he 
had attained the age of seventy-nine years and si.x months. His wife had 
pas^ed away about 1875. They were the parents of four children: 
Charles H. ; Minnie. Fritz and William. 

Charles H. Weide, the eldest, was a lad of seven sunuuers when the 
parents came to the new world, and when a youth of twelve he beeaipe 3 
resident of Kansas. He ha? resided in Wood.son County for more than 
forty-two years and has always been connected with its farming and 
stock raising interests. .He remained with his father until his mari-iage, 
when he began dealing in stock, and since that time he has devoted nnich 
of his time to the laising of cattle and .sheep until his efforts in this line 
have become more extensive than those of any other one man in the 
township. He thoroughly undei-stands the business, having received 
practical training under the direction of his father in his youth. He has 
always made a close study of the needs of farm animals, and his opinions 
on thiK sub.ject are accented as authority in the connnunity. As his 
financial resources have increased he has made .judicious investments of 
his capital in real esta*e. and he now owns twelve hundred acres of land, 
lie keeps on hand an average of one hundred and fifty head of cattle 
and about five hundred fheep. These he shelters in a large barn built for 
the purpose, with room for feed above and for the sheep below. He also 
has water troughs through the barn and the yard, and he has the barn 
.so arranged that he can separate from the rest of the flock any sheep 
vhieb need special attention. In both branches of his stock raising busi- 
ness he has met with a high degree of success. In January. 1901. his 
cattle sales amounted to eighteen hundred dollars, his sheep brought him 
nine liun<lred dollars, and his hogs five hundred dollars. He sells to 
some extent in almost every month in the year when the prices suit him. 
His farm is one of the best located in Woodson County. In addition to 
the larse barns and cattle sheds, which are surrounded with a fine grove 
of timbei- on Turkev creek ho has a commodious residence, comfortably 



■K'OOT^SO'!^ COUXTIES. KANSAS. 7;>7 

■iiizd ta>tefiilly furnished and m11 llic njodi'i-n convenieneos and accessories 
arc there found. 

In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Weide and IMiss Minnie 
Upperman, a native of Germany, who came to Kansas in 1873 and was 
soon afterward married. Their union has l>een blessed with eleven child- 
ren, namely : Eddie. Charles. Albert. Martha. Hattie, Emil, Emma, 
Lillie. Edie. Alice and L-eonard. Through his long residence in Wood- 
.son County, Mr. Weide has become well known to a large majority of 
i!s citizens and his extensive operations in land and stock have eau.sed 
his repu.tatioii as a successful and reliable busines>' man to extend beyond 
the borders of the county. His life certainly illustrates the possibilities 
that Kansas offers to her citizens who are energetic and are not afraid of 
hihor, for these elements in his character have brought to Jiim pros- 
|;i-rity. 



IMADISON FRAME. 

In x>if'neer tlays in Southeastern Kansas, Rev. Madison Frame came 
1(1 AVoodson County, locating within its bordei'f: in 1869. and through 
ti.e intervening yeai's he has not only been closily connected with its agri- 
icultural interests but has exerted widespread intluenee in b^feiaif of all that 
tends to uplift man and mal<e the world better. "•».■■<,■! i 

A native of Tennesree, he was horn in Sevier County. October 17. 
1836, and is a son of Archibald and Mary (Howard) Frame. The 
fitther died during the early boyhood of our subject, who was the 
yi.ungvst of the six children, namely: Nancy, wife of William Phillips. 
.1 I'csident of Arkansas, living in the vicinity of Rogers. Barbara, wife 
'I I' William Low, of Tennessee: Martha, who married a Confederate sol- 
dier and is now deceased ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Henry 
Hawk and died leaving a family in Tennessee, and John who also passed 
Tiway. survived hy his family, residing at Mossy Creek, Tennessee. 

The advantages and privileges which Madison Frame enjoyed in his 
yc.uth were limited, for at an early age he had to provide for his own 
support. .\t the age of fourteen years he left home, and with his brother- 
i'l-law, William Phillips, went to Moniteau County. Missouri, where he 
heeame a farmer and made his home until 1861. In that year he re- 
moved to Arkansas, but the following year returned to Moniteau County, 
vhcre he enlis+ed in the Fifth Missouri Cavalry, becoming a member of 
Company F. His regiment belonged to the Army of the West and served 
Tinder General McNeal and Colonel Sigel, the latter a half brother of 
General Sigel. The regiment was on duty in Missouri, guarding trains 
and fighting bufhwackers. Mr. Frame was thus engaged for more than 
three years, but was never wounded or captured, although he was al- 
vays found at his post of duty, no matter how arduous the task devolv- 



740 IIISTOKV OF ALLEN AXP 

CLAKKXCE M. KIN YON. 

[ii tlic yi'iii ill which he attained liis majority Clarence M. Kinyon 
Clinic to Woodson County and thront.diout his entire business career has 
been identified with its agrieultuial interests. He is now one of the 
jx.pular yoiuii; fanners of Liberty township and his labors animally 
brintr to him a good income. 

Mr. Kinyon is nunibereil amoii-.' the residents of Kansas that Penn- 
sylvania has furnished to the Sunflower state. He was born in Hrad- 
fci-d County. Pmnsylvania. June 24. I808. and is the eldest son of AV. 
P. and Lydia N. Kinyon. When a little lad of six summers he ac- 
companied his pai'ents on their removal to Minnesota, where he was 
reared upon a farm and in the district schools of the neighborhood ae- 
(|uired his education. \Vhen the family came to Kansas in 1879 they 
b.cated in T^inn County and resided there till 1883 when they became 
residents of Woodson County. He lived with his parents until his marriage, 
which event was celebrated on the 24th of June, 1891, the lady of his 
choice being Miss Daisy A. Bales, of Liberty township. She was born 
in Randolph County, Indiana, on the 'M of December, 1872, and in 1884 
came to Kansas with her parents, John R. and Saniantha Bales, who 
now reside in the vicinity of their daughter's home. They also have a 
sen, Walter 'SI. Bales, who is yet with his parents. The marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Kinvon is graced with two children : Keith E.. boi-n 
November 2!). 1894.' and Vesta T^.. born March 23. 1898. 

The I'arm upon which Mi-, and Mrs. Kinyon reside was purchased 
1)\ our sub.ject and compri:^es one hundred and twenty-five acres situated 
eiLrht milts north and three miles west of Yates Center. It was a tract 
of wild ]irairie when he took up his abode there and began to lay the 
foundation for his present prosperity. He erected a handsome residence 
and built a large barn, abo added other necessary improvements. The 
b'ud is undulating and productive and gives a rich yield in return f(U- 
the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. He has also a fine young 
orchard of five acres which is now in bearing condition i the latest im- 
proved machinery facilitates his farm work and in every particular the 
place is modern, indicating the progressive spirit of the owner. N<"at- 
ress is also one of the salient characteristics of the place and its orderli- 
ness is most commendable. Mr. Kinyon raises good crops and also 
I'.andles what stock his farm will support. His life has been one of 
ur.tiring industry and with but little assistance all that he now pos- 
sesses has been acquired through his own efforts. His fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his worth and ability, have several times called him to public 
office. He was elected and served for two terms as township trustee 
of liberty township and also two terms as township clerk, and in both 
positions performed his duties in a capable and trustworthy manner. 



WOODSON COUXTIKS, KANSAS, 



.MARTIN SMITH. 



741 



MARTIN N. SMITH was Ixirn in Delaware L'ouiity, Ohio, 011 the 
twenty-fourth day of July. lcS()4. His father, Jacob Smith, was also a 
I ative of the Buckeye state. After attaining years of maturity he 
wedded Louisa Bader, a native of (Jermany, who came to America when 
thirteen years of age in company with friends of her father. In the 
year 1873, Mr. Smith came to Kansas, locating in Wellsville, Franklin 
County, where he and his wife are still living, both having attained the 
age of 64 years. They are the parents of fivechildi'en, namely: John; 
A. Salome, wife of Albert Hilderbrant. who is living in Colorado; Mar- 
tin N. ; Alice, wife of George Schultz, who makes his home in Topeka, 
and Hattie wife of Charles Watt. 

Martin N. Smith was a lad of eleven years when with his parents he 
came to Kansas. He remained with them until the time of his mari-iage. 
aird in the interim pursued his education in the public eehools. In 18—. 
he wedded Miss Ida V. Munnnert, a native of Illinois, who came to Kan- 
sfiib with her parents when a little girl. After his marriage Mr. Smith 
was employed in a livery barn owned by his father, being thus engaged 
for two years, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits. He followed farming for two years, and then secured a situation 
on the Crotty ranch, where he remained for seven years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he came to Woodson County and purchased eighty 
acres of land on Turkey creek, ten miles northwest of Yates Center, 
where he is now engaged in farming. He has a very desirable and val- 
uable tract of land bordering the cieek. Pait of his farm is bottom land, 
(111 which is timber enough to supply all the wood needed on the premises. 
He has erected a new residence and has made improvements upon the 
place until he now has one of the most desirable farm properties in 
tliis portion of the eountiy. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been blessed with three 
children, i^arl, who was born on the 28th of June, 1888 ; Phonnie, both 
July the 12th. 1891 and died at the age of five years, January 17, 
189G: Wade who was born June 2, 1894. Mr. Smith is a member of 
Ci'otty council, 5157, M. W. A. He is a self-made man. whose sti'ong pur- 
pose and determination in life have enabled him to win prosperity, and 
the farm which he now possesses is a monument to his thrift and en- 
terprise. 



THOMAS WAMSLEY. 

THOMAS WAMSLEY is engaged in farming on section seven, Bel- 
mont township, Woodson County, where he has made his home for 
thiity-one years, and his residence in the county covers a period of thirty- 
fdur years. Oi-eat have been the changes -which have occurred in this 



, ,1^ Krs'i'osv Of .itLEX' A:cr.- 

.'iig upon liiiu. 

After recpiviiiij <iii iioiiorable discharge .Mr. Frame resumed farm- 
ing in ilis&ouri and siibseciueutly took up his residence in Beutou- 
Loiiuty, Arkansas, where he purchased a farm upon which he remained 
for t«o yeais. About that time he was married, for on the 13th of 
January, 1S67, he was joinid in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Radcliff, a 
daughter of J. C. Kadciiff. of ilorgan County. Jlissouri. 

In 18S9, Rev. Frame brought his young wife to Wocdson County, 
fie was in eoniforUible circumstances when ho arrived in Kansas, having 
s;:ved some of his armj- pay with which he had made a start in business 
life. He purchased a.chiim of one hundred and twenty acres on section 
thirty-oiie. township twenty-six. range fiftien, and since that time he has 
r;ade his home thereon, developing the hind into a valuable farm. An 
additional purchase of one hundred and twenty acres has made him the 
owner of two hundred and forty acres, and on his place are seen all the- 
evidence of thrift and labor. Good buildings, the latest improved ma- 
chinery, highly cultivated fields and good grades of stock all attest the 
enterprising spirit of a practical agrieultiirirt. 

In early days in the county Rev. Franse took an active part in poli- 
tical affairs, attended the county conventions and did much to promote 
the growth ofthe Republican party, inth which he has been affiliated 
snice its o ^jgjjl^io n. A member of the Baptist church he was one of 
the fir.st reilWjl^BHves of that denomination in this portion of the state, 
and for twei^' years he rerved the Bethel Baptist church as its pastor, 
laboring earnestly and untiringly for the growth of- the congi-egation 
and the spread of its influence. On various occasions he represented the 
church as delegate at its state conventions and along all lines of religious 
activitA' he has been found as an active and efficient co-operator. Wher- 
e\eT he is known his upright life and fidelit.y to duty have commended 
him to the confidence and respect of those with whom he has been as- 
sociated, and as the years have passed the circle of his acquaintance and 
friendship has been eoutinually increased. 



NATHAN S. MACOUBRIE. 

The rich land of Kansas which only a few decades ago was xnt- 
ciainied by settlers and was the hunting ground of the Indians is now 
dnnded into fine farms which, in fertility, productiveness and improve- 
ments are not surpassed in aiiy state in the Union. One of these is now 
the pi'operty of Nathan S. JMacoubrie. who owns and operates two hun- 
dred and forty acres eight miles northwest of Yates Center. 

He was born in AYnn-en County. Ohio. November 27. 1848. and is 
of Irish lineage. His father. Arthur ^lacoubrie. was a native of County 
Down. Ireland, and on leaving that country crossed the broad Atlantic 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 



739 



to tlie new world. In fliis country he wedded IMary Fife, a native of Gal- 
lia County, Ohio. He was a tailor by trade and was an industrious and 
enerfretie man. His death oceui-red in Warren County, Ohio, in 1853, 
when he was seventy-nine years of age, and his wife, surviving; him 
lor twenty years, passed away in 1871, at the utie of sixty-five. Their son, 
Nathan pursued his education in the public schools of Ohio and at the 
age of eighteen years accompanied his mother and two brothers to Carroll 
County, Missouri. There were nine children in the family, but only three 
are now living, namely: , James R., who is living in Carroll County; 
Arthur E., a resident of Olathe, Kas., where he is editor and proprietor 
of the Olathe Tribune, and Nathan S. 

The last named resided with his mother nnd engaged in the opera- 
tion of len-ed land until his mai'riage when he went to a home of his 
own, beginning his domestic life in Missouri, where he remained until 
188.3 when he came to Kansas, settling in Woodson Count.y. Here he 
devoted hi,'; attention to the cultivation of rented land until 180.5 when 
v.ith the capital he had acquired through his own diligence, persever- 
ance and economy, he jjurchased the tract of land which he now owns. 
He has since made excellent improvements upon his place, including the 
cection of a pretty and commodious residence which he has .just com- 
jitetcd. There h: also a large barn and other necessary outbuildings upon 
the place and he has about fifty head of cattle, making a specialt.y of the 
raising and feeding of stock. His fields are also well cultivated, and the 
p.'-oducts of his farm are annually bringing to him a desirable income, 
in connection with his farming interests Mr. Macoubrie has been iden- 
tified with journalism in this county. He establi.shed and named the 
Yates Center Advocate and was proprietor of the paper for seven years, 
after which he sold it to E. F. Hudson, who still continues its publi- 
cation. 

^Ir. Macoubi'ie has been twice married. On the 28th of February, 
1872. was celebrated his marriage to Miss Elvii'a Surber. a native of 
Ohio, who died in 1894. leaving seven children, namely: Mrs. Emma 
Ijingle: Mrs. Lizzie Simpson, Carrie F., Willie A., Clarence, Pearlie 
and Minnie. After the death of his first wife Mr. Macoubrie wedded 
Miss Lenna Dingle, the marriage occurring September 16, 1896. She 
i:> a native of St. Clair County, Mis.souri, and a daughter of John R, and 
\iary J. Dingle, both natives of Indiana. Mr. Macoubrie has never been 
an aspirant for public office. He served as treasurer of his township for 
one term during which he .'■nstained a loss of one hundred and fifty 
dollars through the failure of the bank in which he had made deposit of 
the y)ublic money. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and 
his sterling wf)rtli, widely reeogm'zed. has won him many friends. 



740 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXP 

CLARENCE M. KIXYOX. 

Ill tlie year iu ^vhic■ll he attained his majority Clarence M. Kinyon 
eanie to Woodson County and throuirhout his entire business career has 
been identified with its agricultural interests. He is now one of the 
popular yonnii' farmers of Liberty township and his labors annually 
bring to him a good income. 

Mr. Kinyon is numbered among the residents or Kansas that Penn- 
sylvania has furnished to the Sunflower .state. He was born in Brad- 
f ( rd County. Ptnnsylvania. June 24. 1858, and is the eldest son of "W. 
r. and Lydia X. Kinyon. When a little lad of si.x summers he ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to Minnesota, where he was 
reared upon a farni and in the district schools of the neighborhood ac- 
ipiired his education. Wlien the family came to Kansas in 1879 they 
l.cated in Linn County and resided there till 188:1 when they became 
residents of Woodson County. He lived with his parents until his marriage, 
which event was celebrated on the 24rth of June. 1891. the lady of his 
choice being Miss Daisy A. Bales, of Libert.v township. She was born 
in Randolph County. Indiana, on the 3d of December. 1872. and in 1884 
came to Kansas with her parents. John R. and Samantha Bales, who 
now reside in the vicinity of their daughter's home. They also have a 
sen. Walter 'M. Bales, who is yet with his parents. The man-iage of 
Mr. and ^Irs. Kinyon is graced with two children : Keith E.. born 
Xovember 29. 1894.' and Vesta U.. born March 23. 1898. 

The farm upon which Mr. and Mrs. Kinyon reside was purchased 
b\' our sub.iect and comprises one hundred and twent.v-five acres situated 
eight miUs north and three miles west of Yates Center. It was a tract 
oi wild pi-airie when he took up his abode there and besran to lay the 
foundation for his present prosperity. He erected a handsome residence 
and built a large barn, abo added other necessary improvements. The 
l?nd is undulating and productive and gives a rich yield in return for 
the care and cultivation bestowed iipon it. He has also a fine young 
orchard of five acres which is now in bearing condition : the latest im- 
proved machinery facilitates his farm work and in every particular the 
place is modern, indicating the progressive spirit of the owner: Xeat- 
ross is also one of the salient characteristics of the place and its orderli- 
ness is most commendable. Mr. Kinyon raises good crops and also 
handles what stock his farm will support. His life has been one of 
untiring industry and with but little assistance all that he now pos- 
sesses has been acquired through his own efforts. His fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his worth and ability, have several times called him to public 
office. He was elected and served for two terms as township trustee 
of libert.v townrhip and also two terms as township clerk, and in both 
positions performed his duties in a capable and trustworthy manner. 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 74I 

MARTIN SMITH. 

M.MxTlN X. SMITH was hdi-n in Dclawari' Coiuity, (Miio, on the 
tv\i'iit3--tiHirlli (lay ol' .July. 1.s()4. His I'atlu'r, Jacob Sinitli, was also a 
1 ativt^ of the Buckeye stale. After attaining yeais of maturity he 
wedded Louisa Bader, a native of d'erniany, who came to America when 
thirti'cn years of ape in comjiany with friends of her father. In the 
year 1873, Mr. Smith came to Kan.sas, locating in Wellsville, Franklin 
County, whei'e he and his wife are still living, both having attained the 
age of ()4 years. They aie the parents of five children, namely: John; 
A. Salome, wife of Albert llilderbrant, who is living in Colorado: Mar- 
tin X.; Alice, wife of (Jeorge Schultz, wlio makes his home in Topeka, 
and Ilattie wife of Charles "VVatt. 

Martin N. Smith was a lad of eleven yeais when with his jiarents he 
came to Kansas. He remained with them until the time of his marriage, 
a'rd in the intei'im iiui'sucd his education in the public schools. In 18- , 
h(- wedded Miss Ida V. Munnnert, a native of Illinois, who came to Kan- 
sn-s with her i)arents when a little girl. After his marriage Mi-. Smith 
was euip'".^''**' '" =' I'viy hiiin owned by his father, being thus engaged 
for two years, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
SLUts. He followed farming for two years, and then secured a situation 
on the Ci'otty ranch, where he lemained for seven years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he came to Woodson County and purchased eighty 
acres of land on Turkey creek, leu miles northwest of Yates ("enter, 
where he is now "engaged in fariiiing. He has a very desirable and val- 
uable tract of land bordering the creek. Part of his farm is bottom land, 
oil which is timber enough to supply all the wood needed on the premises. 
He has erected a new residence and has made improvements upon the 
l)laee until he now has one of the most desirable farm properties in 
this portion of the country. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been bles.'ed with three 
children, Karl, who was born on the 28th of June, 1888; Phonnie, both 
July the 12th. 1891 and died at the age of five years, January 17, 
1896; Wade who was born June 2, 1894. Mr. Smith is a member of 
dotty council, 51,57, M. \V. A. lie is a self-made man, whose strong pur- 
pose and determination in life have enabled him to win prosperity, and 
the farm which he now possesses is a nionnment to his thrift and en- 
ti rprise. 



THOMAS WAMSLEY. 
THOM.\S WAMSLEY is engaged in farming on section seven, Bel- 
mont township, Woodson County, where he has made his home for 
thirty-one years, and his residenc'C in the county covers a period of thirty- 
four vears*. (J real have bi'cn the cliaiiiivs which have occurred in this 



742 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

time, the indications and evidences of pioneer life being replaced by all 
tlie inipx-ovements. industries and accessories of civilization known to the 
older east. Mr. Wanisley may well be proud to have been identified with 
the county through all this era of transformation, and Southeastern Kan- 
sas on the other hand may be glad to number him among her citizens 
for he has ever been true to her interests. He came from Douglas 
County, Illinois, making tie journey by rail to Kansas Citj' and by 
stage from there to Humboldt in the year 1867. He first located on sec- 
t'(jn thirty-one. township twenty-six, range fifteen, Woodson County, but 
after three .years came to his present home, where for thirty years he has 
e.irried on agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. Wamsley was born in Decatur County, Indiana. January 29, 
1843, and is a son of William AVamsley, a native of Germany, who re- 
sided for a time in the vicinity of Cincinnati. Ohio and then moved to 
Indiana about 1823. His death occurred in Tuscola, Illinois, when .he 
was sevent.y-nine years of age. He made the journe.v to America with 
his parents, but both the father and mother died during the voyage, 
leaving four children, all of whom married and left families in Ohio save 
Mi-s. Colwell. whose children reside in Warwick County, Indiana. Wil- 
liam Wamsle.y was united in marriage to Anna Conklen, who died 
leaving eleven children who reached years of maturit.y. Those now living 
are: James, of Evansville. Indiana: Thomas: Sarah, wife of IM.vron 
Hunt, of AVellington. Kansas, and Clementine, wife of John S'ain. of San 
Francisco. California. 

Amid rural scenes Thomas Wamsley was reared, spending his .vouth 
upon the home farm. The first important step which he took in life was 
in the line of militar.y service, for with patriotic spirit aroused he offered 
his services to the government in 1861 and became a member of Company 
D, Twentj^-first Illinois Volunteer Infantr.v. He was engaged in the cam- 
paign against Price in Southwestern Missouri until after the battle of 
Pea Ridge. Arkansas, when the regiment was i-:ent to Tennessee to rein- 
force Buell at Shiloh. After the battle the troops followed Bragg to 
Louisville. Kentucky, and participated in the engagements at Stone 
Dver and Chickamauga. At the latter Mr. Wamsley was captui-ed, Sep- 
tember 20, 1863, and with four thousand others was taken to Richmond, 
Virginia. He was .'■ent thence to Danville and afterward to Ander.son- 
ville and finally to Charleston, South Carolina, where he remained during 
the seige. From that point the prisoners were sent to Florence, South 
Carolina, where our subject was held until parolled and returned to 
Annapolis. He was in prison neai'ly fifteen months, and experienced the 
u.'ual hardships and sufferings borne by the bo.ys in blue in Southern 
prison pens. He was a loyal and faithful soldier, always found at his 
pest of duty, wheiher on the picket line or the firing line. 

Upon returning to the North, IMr. Wamsle.y was connected with 
farming interests in Douglas County, Illinois, until coming to Kansas. 



Av'OODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 743 

Aio was not married until after his arrival here, and in Humboldt, De- 
cember 12, 1869 he led to the marriage altar Miss Emma "Wilson, who 
died in 1882. leaving four children: Anna, wife of Carl Strand, of 
Woodson. County ; James : Walter, of "Woodson County : and IMilton. In 
October, 1883 Mr. "Wamsley was again married, Elizabeth, daughter of 
Chrislman Leibert becoming his wife. Her father died in Germany. By 
this marriage there is one daughter, Eva. wife of Elmer Gilger, of Gor- 
don, Nebraska. Mr. AVamsley gives his political support to the Republi- 
can pai"ty and believes firmly in its pi"ineiples but has never been a 
campaign worker, nor has he sought office, but as a private citizen quietly 
and lo.vally performs his duty, commanding uniform respect by reason 

•of his genuine worth. 



ROBERT A. HURT. 

ROBERT A. HURT, who is engaged in the real estate business ni 
Yates Center and has been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of 
ll.e city by inducing many residents to locate here, has made his home in 
Vi oodson Coimty since 1871, at which time he became identified with 
agi'icultural interests in Southeastern Kansas. He is a native of Ken- 
tucky, bis liii'th having occurred in Warnm County, that state, on the 
18th of September. 1821. He was a farmer's son and with his father. 
John Hurt, removed to Illinois. The latter was a native of "Virginia, born 
in 1773. and was a son of John Hurt. Sr., wJio died in Surrey County. 
Is'^orth Carolina, on the Yodkin river. Prom that locality his son John 
removed to Kenlucky in 1818. and in 1830 went with his family to 
Sangamon County. Illinois. Some years afterward, however, he retiirned 
to the Blue Grass state, where he spent his last days. His wife, who boie 
the maiden name of Sai'ah Cochran, also died in Kentucl\y . 

Robert A. Hurt is the youngest of their nine children, and is the 
only surviving membe'r of the family. He was a young boy when his 
parents removed to Sangamon Countj', Illinois, where he was reared 
to manhood and pursued his edixeation after the manner of the old-time 
subscription schools found on the frontier. He learned the trade of a 
v.oolen manufacturer and in connection with his brother afterward es- 
tablished a mill at Athens. Illinois, where he carried on business for ten 
years with good success. ETe then embarked in merchandising in Ha- 
vanna, on the Illinois river, and also engaged in buying grain during 
bis two year's residence there. Suffering loss by fire, he next i-emoved 
te a rented farm but afterward purchased a tract of land on Crane 
"creek, in Mason County. Illinois, operating and improving the same until 
1860, when be sold that property- and resumed merchandising in Mason 
City. Illinois. Subsequently he followed the same line of business in 
E'kbart. Indiana, whence he removed to Kansas. 



,44 illMHK^ 



The year 1871 witucssed the arrival of Mr. IFiirt in Woodson Coiinty:- 
llere he hicated on a farm in Toronto township and en-ra-ied in its culti- 
vation un'il 1875. when he was elected county tr^a^u^er. In October of 
the followinir year he enteied upon the duties of the office and by re- 
el< ction st?rved for two terms, beiny: a most capable and trustworthy 
ntWcial. Upon his retirement from office he turned his attention to the 
VI al estate bnsin»?.s;i in which he has since engaged. He has located many 
people in Yates Center and Woodson County, where his principal busi- 
mss has been done, and has thus contributed in valued measure to the 
growth and upbuildintr of the city and surrounding country. 

On the 17th of Febrnarj', 184'2. Mr. Hurt was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary A. Dimond. a daughter of Jesse C. Dimond. and their children 
are a; follows: Kmily J., wife of A. J. IMorris. of Toronto: Mary F.. wife 
of Dr. Charles Orendorff. of Allen County; May A. Sherman, of Yates 
Center; and John C.. who is also living in the county seat. 

Mr. Hurt cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, 
the candidate of the Whig party, in 1840; afterward votetj for Clay. 
Taylor and Scott: and in 1856 ^nppt)rted White, of Tennessee, who ran 
on the I'nion ticket. In 1860 he cast his haliot t<ir Abraham Lincoln. 
• vhom he had known personally, and since that time he has been an earnest 
Ixepublican. 



JOHN ELLIOTT. 

JOHN l>l..LIOTT. who is now serving as trustee of Eminence town- 
ship, and who has been numbeivtl among the agriculturists of Woodson 
County for eleven years, is a native son of the SunHower state, his birth 
having occurred in Miami County. April 8. 1863. His father. John 
Elliott, came to Kansas about 1S62 from Bates County, Slissouri where he 
had entered a tract of land from the government in 1856. He was a 
native of County Antrim. Ireland, boi-n in 1825 and remained on the 
Emerald Isle until twenty-four years of age. when he resolved to try his 
fortune in America, believing that better opportunities for advancement 
were att'orded in this country than in the more thickly populated districts 
of Ireland. As far back as the ancestral history is known the Elliotts' 
were farmers, and the father of our sub.ject followed the same pursuit. 
He hail only mtuiey enough to bring him to the new world, and after 
reaching the United States he was employed as a wage earner in a tan 
yard. Later he worked upon a farm and finally secured land of his own 
in Missouri, becoming owner of a claim in Bates County, that state, in 
1856. There he continued to reside for six years, when in 18(i2 he came 
to Kansas, taking up his abode in Miau)i County, where he jiurchased 
a farm upon which he has since made his home, his labors in the passing 
vears bi-inging to him a comfortable competence. 



wom^sw^^ coTT:NTrKS. Kansas. 745 

In \\"i\\ C'dim'y. Illinois. John FJlioU. Sr., was united in niarriage 
lo Miss Ann MoC'lintoek. also a native of County Antrim, Irclancl. and 
r.nto them were liorn the following- child ren : Thomas R.. who is now ift 
Jackson Connt>-. Kansas: Jolin. wliose name begins this review; ^Mary J.. 
Avife of G^org-e B. Baxter, of Miami County, Kansas: Annie Elliott, who 
is at home: Joseph, who is liviiifr in the same county, where his brother 
'Charles, the next of the family, also resides: and Frank, who is upon 
the old homestead. 

On the old home farm John Elliott of this review s[n"nt the days of 
his boyhood and youth, and as age and strength pernntted lie aided in 
the work of the fields and meadows from the time of early spring plant- 
ing until harvests \wre garnered in the autinnn. In the district school 
he acquired his education, and reading keeps him a well inforaned man. 
On the 1st of IMarch, 1888, he married Miss Orpha Haines and thus 
secured a woi'thy companion and helpmate for the .iourney of life. The 
Irdy is a native of Madison County, Illinois, and a daughter of John ^Y. 
and ]\Iary A. (Swofford) Haines, in whosie family were the following: Samuel 
J., of Central City. Nebraska: Xora B.. widow of John Piekerell : Mrs. 
Elliott: and Robert, of Decatur County. Kansas. The father died in 
1888, but tlie mothi'r is still living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Elliott 
has been blessed with five children: Claience: Mary ]M., who died at the 
age of six years: Wallace, Howard and Homer who are with their 
[)a rents. 

In 1890. tlie second year following Iiis marriage. Mr. Elliott removed 
to Woodson County and located on section 2. Eminence township, where 
he owns two hundred and fighty acres of valuable land, tv) the cultiva- 
tion and improvement of which he is now devoting his time and energies 
with good results. The practical experience of his boyhood well fitted 
l::m for the labors of manhood, and he is now regarded as an enterprising 
progressive agriculturist. Tn his political views he is a Republican. ITis 
father became a suppoi'ter of that party on its organization and as the sons 
attained man's estate they, too. espoused Republican principles. His fel- 
low townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected Mr. Elliott to 
the position of township trustee in 18f)9 and he filled the office so ac- 
ceptably that in 19(10 he was re-ehcted for a second term, and therefore 
. is the nres-ent incumbent. 



JOSHUA J. PUCKETt. 

The prosiperily of a county depends upon the aggregate industry of 
its individual citizens. Mr. Puckett is one who contributes his full share 
to the general activity, being a worthy representative of the agricultural 
interests of the community. He has been a resident of Southern Kan- 
sas for thirty years, but has made his home in Woodson County only 



'45 HrSTORV OF ALLEX A.N'jJ 

siuoe 1&73. Foi'ty-Hve years, however, have elapstd siuce he arrived iw- 
the Sunflower state, year.-; iu which great changes have been wrought. 

He is dtsceuued from Virginian ancestry. His grandfather. Lewis 
Puckett. was a native of the Old Dominion, and William Puckett. the 
father of our sub.jeet first opened his eyes to the light of day in the same- 
siate. in 181:0. After attaining his majority he removed to Kentucky, 
but was married iu Virginia to Miss bouisa Corel, a daughter of William 
Corel, a cabinet maker who spent his active life in the Old Dominion and 
died in Jackson Countj', ilissouri. In the year 1854, William Puckett, ac- 
companied by his family came to Kansas, locating in Wyandotte County, 
where he remained until 1871 when he went to Wilson County. There 
he spent the residue of his days, pas-sing away in 1886. when sisty-six 
years of age. His widow still survives him. She is the wife of A. J. Roe 
and resides with the >ubject of this review. Her children, born of the 
til St marriage, are: Henry, who was a member of the Twelfth Kansas 
Infantry and died iu 1863. while loyally serving as a defender of the 
Union ; Joshua J. ; John, who served in the Twenty-second Kansas 
State ^Militia ; Emeline. deceased wife of James Forbes; Rebecca, widow 
01 Joseph Williamson, of Woodson County: Charles J., who is living iu 
Wilon County, Kansas: William C. of Woodson County: Oliver F.. a 
resident of Woodson County : ^ hernian. who makes his home in the same 
county; Lewis, of Allen County, and Louisa, who completes the family. 

Joshua J. Puckett was born in Kentucky, June 20. 18-15, and was 
therefore a lad of eleven years when the family came to Kansas— then 
a territory which was to play an important part in national atfairs be- 
fore its admission to the Union. He was reared in the usual manner of 
farmer lads of the period and pursued his education in the common 
ehools. He was seventeen years of age when he joined Company A, 
Twelfth Kansas Infantry, under Colonel Adams, and went to the front 
to do service for the Union cause. He was in the army for a year and 
participated in the movements of his regiment in Southern Missouri 
and Northern Arkansas, taking part in the engagements of Frairie Grove, 
Lone Jack and Independence. Company A met the guerrillas under 
Quantrell on many occasions, and was on the north side of the Kaw river 
at Lawrence during the raid and massacre. He was wounded on Wea 
creek. Miami County. Kausas. being shot through the left leg. and this 
necessitated his retirement from the service. The duties that devolved 
upon him as a member of the Twelfth Kansas Infantry were faithfully 
and abU- performed, and his record as a soldier is commendatory. 

On the 7th of January. 1879, Mr. Puekelt was married iu Woodson 
Countv to Miss Phebe A. Taylor, a daughter of William R. Taylor, who 
came "to Kansas from Tennessee. He married Sarah Hunter and they 
became the parents of seven children. Six children graced the marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Puckett : Omega. Azalia. Curtis. Ransom. Alta and Jay. and 
the family circle yet remains unbroken. In ante bellum days the Pucketts 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 747 

V ere adherents of the AYhiji cause and on the organization of the Republican 
party joined its ranks, bnt although Mr. Puckett of this review was not 
then a vo'er, he joined the party when he attained his majority, voting 
for A. Lincoln for his first vote, and has since been one of its advocates. 
He has served as treasurer of Belmont township, but does not aspire to 
political honor, preferring to devote his time to his nusiness pursuits 
\vliii'h brinir him more satisfactorv financial i-pturns. 



JOHX WORTH EAGLE. 

.J(])HX \V. EAGLE is one of the early settlers and farmers of Emi- 
nence township. Woodson County, where he located in 1869, taking up 
his abode upon a farm on section 26, but for twenty-one yeai-s he has 
resided upon a valuable farm on section 30. of the same township, his 
country seat being one of the attractive and desirable farming properties 
in this portion of the state. He came to Kansas from Ashland County, 
Ohio, where he was boi'n August 16, 1847. His paternal grandfather, 
Thomas Eagle, wa^' a native of Southern Ohio and his people were from 
Virginia. They followed farming pursuits and were oi-dinarily success- 
ful. The family is of English lineage, the grandfather being a third 
i'l.usin to old John Bull. John Eagle, the father of our subject, was abo 
a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and died upon the farm where his 
birth occurred, being sixty-five years of age when called to his final rest. 

John Eagle spent the greater part of his life in Ohio, but for ten 
years; was a resident of California. He made his way to the Pacific 
coast in 1850 and during the succeeding decade was engaged in prospect- 
ing over the state. He married Jane Haughey, a daughter of Robert 
ITaughey, who was of German lineage, but the family was founded in 
.America at a very early period in the development of this country and 
its representatives through many generations were identified with agri- 
cultural pursuits. Mrs. Eagle died at the home of her son, J. W., in 
1S99, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Her children were as 
follows : Robert F.. who is now living in San Prancif<;o, California : 
Thomas, who makes his home in Topeka, Kansas; Martha, wife of W. M. 
Zinmierman, of Ashland County, now deceased: Mary E., who became 
tlie wife of L. Potter, and after his death married E. P. L. Dowe, now 
I'f Oklahoma: and George B., who died while serving in the Union army. 

The other member of the family is J. W. Eagle, whose name in- 
troduces this record. After acquiring a common school education he 
turned his attention to farming upon the old homestead and was thus en- 
gaged until twenty-one years of age when he started out in life on his 
own account. Boarding a westward-bound train he then came to Kansas, 
leaving the cars at Ottawa, whence he proceeded by wagon to Woodson 
Countv, arriving here in 1869. This was at an early period in the de- 



748 HrsTORY oi" ai.lkn and 

.olopiiierit of the county when much of the hind was in its primitive con- 
dition and the work of progress seemed scarcely begun. Mr. Eagle se- 
cured a tract of railroad land which he improved somewhat and then 
sold, after which he purchared the farni belonging io iiis brother. Rol'.f-rt 
I-'., and has since made the I'^aglc (>a]) farm one of ihe finest in this ])or- 
l!()n of th.e county. Tie owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on 
section 19. Eminence township and one hundred and thirty-five acres on 
section 30. 

In April, 1868. occurred the marriage of ^b■. Eagle and Mi.ss .Matilda 
.Maurer. a daughter of Oeoi'ge Maurer. who died in the Federal army 
during the war of the Rebellion. Her people res-ided at one time in Ohio, 
hut came from Pennsylvauia-r'ermau stock. ISIrs. Eagle was born in ash- 
latid County. Ohio, in 18.52, and by hor marriage became the mother of 
three cliildren : Jennie, now the wife of David Hall, of Woodson County: 
Albert, of the same county and C.vrus P. In the early days the members 
oi the Eagle family were Democrats, but the present generation re- 
T^ounce the political faith of their forefathers and Mr. Eagle of this re- 
view has throughout his entire life been a staunch Republican. He has 
never sought office but has given his attention to his farm work an<l now 

■ : ■! ' : i' . ■ - •■■ .rble propertj'. 



WILLIS P. DICKERSON. 

WILLIS P.\ INTER DICKERSON,. a well known bu.siness man 
of Toronto, occupying the position of cashier in the Toronto bank, has 
been a resident of Woodson Comity since 1876. His father was John M. 
Dickerson, who served as quartermaster of the State Soldiers' Home at 
Dodge City. Kansas. lie was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1839, 
and was reai'ed in that count.v and in Franklin County of his native 
state. He was a miller's son. his father being Thomas Diekei'son who. 
tliroughout his life, devoted his energies to the milling business. John 
i\!. Dickerson was the second cliild in his family. At the time of the 
Civil war the father of our subject responded to the country's call for 
aid. enlisting in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer in- 
fantry, in which he held the raidv of lieutenant. Before the expiration- 
of his term he was honorably discharged on account of disability, but to- 
ward the close of the war he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Xinty- 
First Ohio Vohinteer infantry and manifested his loyalty to the govern- 
ment by faithful service in the south. Several lines of business have 
claimed his attention. He has followed farming, milling and merchan- 
dizing. In 1870 he came to Kansas and located two miles west of Carlyle 
where he resided until 1876 when he came with his family to Woodson 
County. For two years he conducted a grocery in Toronto and on the 
expiration of that period he accepted the position of quartermaster in 



Woodson cocxyies. kaxsas. 74.) 

the Stale Soldiers' Home at Dodge City, Kansas. Mr. Dickersou was 
liiarried iu Franklin County, Ohio, in 1859. to Miss Sarah E. Painter, a 
daughter of Willis Painter, and grand-daughter of Samuel Painter Sr., 
who was one of the pioneer settlers of the Buckeye state, removing from 
Virginia to Ohio. The children of John M. and Sarah E. Dickerson are 
as follows: "Willis of this review; Hiram T., who i.s living in Toronto; 
Thomas J., also of Toronto; Leah J., the wife of E. C. Snyder, of Cen- 
terville. Kansas, and Mamie, the wife of E. W. Harris also of Center- 
ville. 

In taking up the history of Willis Painter Dickerson we present to 
our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in 
A\^Oodson County, where he has spent the greater part of his life. He 
was born November 7, 1861, and in 1876. when fourteen years of age, 
he accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas, the family lo- 
cating in Toronto township, where he remained until 1880. He pursued 
his education in the schools of Ohio, then in Allen and Woodson Counties 
this state, also spending a few months in the Kansas University. It was 
his intention to pursue the entire course, but circumstances prevented his 
carrying out the plan. He then turned his attention to business and his 
first independent venture was teaching. He followed that profession for 
si.K years in Woodson County and was known as a most capable educator, 
having the ability to impart readily to others his knowledge of the stiidies 
pursued in the public schools. For two years he was proprietor of the 
Toronto Register, which has since been merged into the Toronto Republi- 
can. He established the former paper and made of it a creditable jour- 
nal, winning a liberal and well deserved patronage. His fellow towns- 
men recognizing his worth and ability, and his fidelity to the duties of 
citizenship, elected him to the office of the clerk of the district court of 
Woodson County in the year 1888, and he served for two terms. In 
1892 he ambarked iu the banking business and is now cashier of the To- 
ronto Bank, the success of which is due in no small degree to his enter- 
prising etforts, his keen discernment and his sound .judgment. He also 
owns the Toi'onta Rolling Mills and is interested in the Toronto Gas & 
Mining Company, of which he is treasurer and director. 

On the 25th. of September, 1886. Mr. Dickerson was united in mar- 
riage in Toronto, Kansas, to Miss Kate L. Lockard, a daughter of Martin 
Is. Lockard. of Fort Scott, Kansas. They now have three children : 
Freda, Nellie E. and Howard W. Sociallj^ Mr. Dickerson is a master 
Mason and is held in high esteem by his brethren of the fraternity. In 
politics he is a Republican, but the honors and emoluments of public of- 
fice have had no attraction for him. his support being given to the party 
because he believes in its principles and not because he hopes for ofSeial 
i-eward. His advancement in the business world is diie to his own ef- 
forts, for a determined purpose, energy and keen discernment have enabled 
him to woi'k his way steadily upward. 



75° HISTOKV OF AI.LKN AND 

JOHN T. HAYEK. 

JOHN T. BAYEK has spent almost his entire life in Woodson 
County. He was born in New York city. ( n the 21st. of July. ISfi;"). a son 
of John H. and Dorothea (Teleke) Bayer. The father was born in Han- 
over, Uerniany. in April. 1836. and in 18'j0. when fourteen years of ag,e, 
crossed the briny deep to the ITnited States, locating first in New York. 
He afterward spent one year in South Carolina and subsetiuently resided 
in Connecticut, but finally returned to New York city, where he eno;aged 
ii; the butchering business. Success attended his eflForts there, for when 
lie returned to the metropolis his capital consisted of only four dollars 
and when he came from the Empire state to Kansas he brought with him 
a sum of money sufficient to enable him to purchase a jrood farm in Owl 
Creek township .where he has since made his home, beinv' now reco;j- 
nized as one of the thrifty farmers and enterprising citizens of the com- 
nnuiity. His wife is also a native of Germany, her birth place being in 
the province of Hanover. Unto them have been born four children, as 
follows; Frederick H. ; John T. ; Rebecca E.. widow of William H. Lep- 
niann and a resident of Santa Anna. California, and Custa H.. wife of 
W. H. Stockebrand. 

Brought to ^Yoodson County during his infancy, Mr. Bayer has 
throughout his entire life been identified with agricultural pursuits here. 
He assisted in the work of the farm when not attending school, his educa- 
tion being ac(|uired in the district schools near his home and in the Fort 
Seott Normal. He remained at home until twenty-eight years of age. and 
then completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage 
to Miss Carrie J. Shotts. a daughter of D. T. Shotts. of Owl Creek town- 
ship. \Voodson County. The wedding was celebrated on the 14th. of 
June. 18fl3, and their home has been blessed with the presence of three 
children : Theodore L. and Frederick H., twins, and Dorothy. The 
little ones add life and sun.shine to the household and contribute much 
to the happiness of the parents. Like his father Mr. Bayer is a stalwart 
Republican, having supported the party since casting his first presiden- 
tial vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. For a period of six yeai's he 
has served as clei'k of the school board, and is a warm friend of educa- 
tion, doing what he can for the advancement of the schools. He is a man 
of diligence, not afraid of work, and has found that industry is the es.sen- 
t'al basis of all success. 



LEVI BOBBINS. 

LEVI ROBBINS is one of the most extensive landowners in Wood- 
son County, his realt.v holdings comprising twenty-three hundred acres. 
He has made very .ii;dicious investments of the capital which he has ac- 
quired through his own efforts, and his broad fields are now the visible 



■■WOODSON COCT»TlES. KANSAS. 75T 

Kind suljstiiutial c'vidtiie+' of ^i usefiiJ, aetive and liiinorable career. 

JNlr. Kobbius came to Kansas in April, 1870, from Porter County, 
Indiana, where his birth occnrred on the 31st. of March, 1848. His 
father. S. P. Robbin.s. was a farmer by occupation and removed from 
Ohio to the Hoosier state ami from Massachu.'^etts to Ohio. He became 
■one of the leading and influential citizen.s of Porter County, Indiana, 
was recognized as a leader in public atfaiis. and for mau.y years served 
a.s county commissioner. His opinions carried weight in public councils 
and his effoi'ts contributed in no small measure to the growth and ad- 
vancement of the comnmnity in which he resided. He was single when 
he wen) to Indiana, and there, in 1835, Ire married Caroline Coe. a na- 
tive of Obio, who!-e father was from Connecticut. Thus she was. like her 
husband, a representative of an old New England family, his ancestors 
having come From old England to America prior to tlie war of the Rev- 
olution. Mr. Kobbins died in 1889. at the age of eightj^ years, and his 
Avife died in Indiana, October 19. 1898, at the age of eighty-three. Their 
children were: Amos, who died in Indiana: Levi: James B.. who also 
died in the Hoofier state: Lewis H.. of Porter County. Indiana, and Joseph 
D., of Mills Covinty, Iowa. 

Levi Robbins secured a common school education in the neighbor- 
hood of his boyhood's home and I'eceived practical training in the work 
ci the farm. Abmit the time he attained his majority the father turned 
over to his sons the care of the home far7n and he became an active 
factor in its management and operation. Believing that he would have 
better opportunities in th.e west he came to Kansas in April, 1870, mak- 
ing the journey westward by rail, and after reaching Woodson County he 
purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on section four, town- 
ship twenty-fix, range sixteen. With characteristic energy he began the 
development of his farm and soon wrought a great change in its appear- 
ance, its wild lands being transformed into richly cultivated fields. Soon 
the golden grain filled his barns and sheds and the sales of his products 
annually increased his financial resources. He then made other pur- 
chases, judiciously inventing his capital in fann property until he is now 
•one of the most extensive land owners of southeastern Kansas. He re- 
sided at his first loea+ion i;ntil January. 1900, when he removed to his 
prefent home on section eighteen, electing here a handsome residence- 
one of the most modern in the township, supplied with all the latest im- 
provements and equipments that add to the comfort and enjoyment of 
life. Throughout the years of his residence in the county he has en- 
gaged in the raising, feeding and shipment of stock, and in his pastures 
ai'e found the best grades of cattle, horses and hogs. All this is but an 
indication of the unflagging industry which has ever been niunbered 
among his strongest characteristics. 

On the 10th. of December. 1873. in Woodson County, was celebrated 
the marriage which united the destinies of Mr. Robbins and Miss Mary 



75-' HlSTOKV Oy ALLES XS^ST 

Scott, a daughter of Elijah Scott, of Jlissouri. Seven eliiklreu grace" 
their union: Lillian, (.'harks U.. James C. Frank. Je>se. Pleasant and 
Hiley. Tht.- family have a wide acquaintance in rhe countj', and tlie- 
nienihi^rs of the household oeeupy an enviable position in rhe social circles 
in whieh tlipy move. Mr. Kobbins was reared in the. faith of the llepubli- 
•v,\n part}-. His grandfather was one of the ofticers of the underground 
laihoad in ante belhuu days and with the organization of the party the- 
Robbins becauie its supporters. The mature judgment of our subject Las 
.sanctioned its poli<^y and principles and thus his ballot is cast for its can- 
didates. Such in brief is the life history of one of the popular citizens- 
and su<K'essful farmers of Eminence township— a splendid tinaneier of 
excellent executive ability and marked enterprise combined with excel- 
lent business judgment. He has practically turned over the manage- 
ment of the old home farm of 1.600 acres to the three olde.«t sons who are 
rapidly acquiring a reputation as successful farmers and business men 
and who . njoy a financial iei>utation secMid to none in the couniy. 



JOHN KISKXBAKT. 

A great transformation iu appearances, conditions and iniprove- 
nients has bien made in Woodsim County since John Eisenbart took up 
his abode within its borders to became identified with its agric\dtural in- 
terest-s, which yet claim his attention. He was born in Luzerne County, 
Pennsylvania. Jlay 2. 1850, a son of ilathias and Eve (Pahlen^ Eisen- 
bart, both of whom are now deceased. They were of German birth and 
the father was a coal miner. They had four children, but only two are 
now living: John and ilargaret. the latter now the wife of Peter Kauff- 
»t;an. iTf Humboldt. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Eisenbart of this review has been 
familiar wi*h the work of the farm. His educational privileges were 
limited and his youth was largely a peritxi of toil. In 1S56 he left Peuu- 
.^ylvania and spent one year near Kankakee, Illinois. In 1858 he 
j >ir.ed a small company en route for Kansas and was reared upon the 
Moerer place in Everett township, working in the fields and meadows 
from the time of early spring planting until the harvests were garnered 
in the late autunni. He chose as a companion and helpma*e on life's 
.]T\irney iliss Helena Koppers. a dausihter of Henry Koppei-s Sr. and 
Johanna Franken. Her father was born in the Rhenish pro^-ince of the 
Kingdom of Prussia in Europe, and in 1872 became a resident of Kan- 
sas, where he spent his i-emainins days, passing away in 1807. at the 
age of eighty-two years His children are: Mrs. Fisenbart: Mrs. Her- 
man Tholen. of Humboldt. Kansas: Mrs. B. H. Achter, of Humboldt; 
.\nton. also of Hunibolt: Minnie, of Yates Center: John, of Woodson 
(""oinifv: Htiirv and Martha. 



"S'OODSON tOXTjJtrEl). KA^SA-S. 75;? 

"The iiiiiriiaoe of ]\lr. and Mm. Euenbart was celebrated Ajnil l.~>. 

1875. and they began their domestic life upon their present farm on Sec- 
tion ten. Owl Creek township, where he secured a homestead claim of 

'ejghty acres. Later he purchased an additional tract of one hundred 

;a;id sixty acres and has developed a very fine farm, improved with all 

aiiodern aecersories and conveniences. All the buildings and iiecessories 
upon the place stand there as monuments of his labor and his enterprise. 
The first home was a rude house built of native lumber, and snakes 
fGmetimes made it their hiding place and toads their rendezvous, hut such 
conditions have long since been done awa.v with and the farm i.s now one 

M)f the most attractive and desirable in tliis part of the county. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. PMsenbart have been born nine children : iNIary. 
now the wife of Will O'Donnell. of Woodson County: Henry. John. Will, 

■Johanna, Elizabeth. Albert. Clara and Edward, all of whom are still 
with their parentf^. Prom the time he attained his ma.iority down to the 
])resent Mr. Eisenbart has heen a supporter of the Demoerac.y and has 
•served as a member of the school hoard, although he has never been a 
jjolitician in the sense of office seeking. He feels .justly proud of thc- 
changes that have heen wrought in the county since his arrival, the gi'eat 

strides of ci^nlization and the onward march of progress, placing the 

■■county on a par with any in this great commonwealth. He might also 
well feel proud of the advancement he has made, having worked his wa.v 

"upward from a humble financial position to a place among the sustantial 

and well-to-do agriculturists of the communit.V- 



WALTER J. AGNEW. 

WALTER J. xV(!NEW is- a young man of enterprising s})irit, jim- 
gre.ssive, energetic and wide-awake to possibilities in business and to the 
•opportunities of life in general. He is numbered among the native sons 
of Kansas and is a representative of one of the leading families of this 
portion of the state. He was born in Anderson County, November 8, 
ISfifi. and is a son of the late honored citizen of Centei' township, Wood- 
son Connt.v— William Agnew— who was born in County Down, Ireland, 
near the city of Belfast. February #f1. 1832. At the age of twelve .vears 
he was left an orphan. In his father's family there were six children, of 
Avhom the surviving members are : Joseph, a resident of Rice County. 
Kansas: Mary, widow of Fred Brown, of Montreal, Canada, and Jennie, 
who is living in Glasgow, Scotland. After the death of his parents Wil- 
lifim Agnew resided with a Mr. Moffett, his maternal uncle, until six- 
teen years of age, when he resolved to try his fortune in America. He 
c;;me alone to this country and during his early residence in the United 
f^ta^es remained in New York, He afterward became a farm hand in 
Pennsylvania and later in Ohio and thus he acquired a start in life. 



754 MistORY 6t' ALLE>J AN'jl 

iriiiiiiiiLT tln^ miclius of the handsome (niiiipi'tent'c which lie aftorward ae^ 
ijiiiri'd. 

Upon his reimu io Anierioa after a visit tu the Kiiu'iald Isle in 185-, 
.Ml-. .\p;ue\v at onec eanie to Kansas. localinK at <iariiett. Anderson 
County. Not long afterward he was followed hy the lady whom he 
widded — ^liss ilary Jane (Ii (■•;<;— and after their marriajre they settled 
upon a home: tt ad claim in that wninty, Mr. Agnew giving his attention 
t ■■ the improvement of his property and the cultivation of his fields until 
after tie inauguration of the Civil war. when he offered his services to 
the government, enlisting as a nvember of Company G, Twelfth Kansas in- 
f.intry. His command i erved in Arkansas and Missouri ami he leniained 
ia tlie ai'my for three and a half years loyally aiding his adopted coun- 
try in her struggle to preserve the Union. lie was mostly engaged in guard 
duty hut participated in a number of skirmishes and minor engage- 
ments. When ho tilities had ceased and the country no longer needed 
his aid he received au honorable discharge and returned to his home in 
Anderson County, where he continued his farming operations until 1S71, 
when he removed to Franklin County. In 187:? he came to Woodson 
County and })urehased a tpuiiter section of land oii Owl creek. The land 
was in its primitive condition as shaped by the hand of nature, and with 
his usual energy and resolute purpose he began the development and im- 
l>rovei<ient of the fields, which he transformed into rich tracts. At the 
time of his death he had made the farm cue of the most productive and 
attractive in this part of the state. . 

In his political views Mr. Agnew was a stalwart Republican and his 
fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability called him to the office of town- 
ship trustee, in which he served for several terms. Tie was iiromincnt in 
hciil political circles and v.as usually a delegate to the comity conven- 
tions of his party where his opinions carried weight, as his judgment 
was known to be sound and reliable. Tie died December 101 h.. 1891, and 
his wife passed away on the 20th. of February, 1806. Their children 
were: AVilliam F.. of Woodson County; Walter Jr.: Klizabeth J. and 
Ho'B M. 

AValter J. .\gnew secured his nreliiiiinarv education in the district 
schools and supplemented it by s*udy in Sanders' Normal, at Fort Scott, 
Kansas. He was trained to the work of the farm in \m- youth, and on 
attaining his majority became associated with his father in business. He 
lias always resided on the old liomestead farm, and continued his busi- 
ness connection with his father until the latter's death. He has since 
managed the property and the well tilled fields and thrifty appearance 
of the place indicates his careful supervision and commendable business 
methods. 

On the 29th. of Decembei-, 1S97, Mr. Agnew was married to Miss 
Anna F. Bigelow. a daughter of Fdwin "W. and ^Margaret (MeOavran) 
T?igeIow. who came to Kansas in February, 18S2, fi-om Dnpont, Indiana, 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 755 

Her father was born in Clinton County, New York, and died in Woodson 
Connty, Kanras, at the age of sixty years. His children are: Edwin T., 
cf Smitlifield. Nebraska ; Ray, wife of G. W. Simpson, of Conneil Grove, 
Kansas: William M., of Hoyt, this .state; L. C, of Beekhan, Oklahoma; 
Charles H.. of Elwood, Nebraska : Mrs. Agnew, and Nelson L. and ]\Iar- 
garet, both of Woodson County. One child graces the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Agnew, Clarence Eugene, who was born April 8, 1899. and is the 
l:ght and joy of the household. The Republican partj' receives the en- 
dorsement of Walter Agnew through his ballot at the polls, and he keeps 
well informed on the ismes of the day, but does not seek office, as his time 
^'s occupied with his farming interests, whereby he is acquiring a gratify- 
ing measure of success. The family is one of prominence in the com- 
nuinity. honored and i'e:pected for the possession of qualities of sterling 
v,-orth." 



JIELVIN E. HTIXT. 

No more capable officer has ever filled the position of sheriff in 
Woodson County than Mehdn Ellison Hunt who for two terms acted in 
tiiat capacity, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He is now 
extensively engaged in dealing in stock and is accounted one of the en- 
terprising and prosperous business men of Yates Center. 

A native of the neighboring state of Missouri. Mr. Hunt was born 
\:i Schuyler County, on the 2d. of April, 1852. a son of Jesse Hunt, one 
of the pioneers of that locality, who was descended from a prominent 
fi-mily of Virginia. One of his brothers went to Idaho at a very early 
lay and there reared his family including a son who is now governor of 
ti'at state. Jesse Hunt was born in Louisville. Kentucky, about 1816, 
and in 1842 removed to Schuyler County. Missouri, whei'e he spent his re- 
I'laiuing days, following the dual pursuit of farming and stock raising. 
He was -not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death 
occurred in 1854. In Tennessee he was united in marriage to Miss Martha 
E. Hale, who died in Schuyler County, Missouri, in 1886. Her father, 
YOiJliam Hale, was one of the most extensive slaveholders of eastern 
Tennessee. He was a native of Virginia and had several sons and 
daughters, the most of whom spent their lives in Tennessee and Ken- 
ti;ckv. ITnto Jesfe and Martha (Hale) Hunt were born the following 
children: James, who died in Jasper County. Missouri: Elizabeth, de- 
ceased wife of Wesley Redifer. her death occurring in Dallas County, 
I^Iissouri : Hulet. who died in Schuyler County, Missouri : Martha, the 
wife of William MeVey. of that county: Minerva, wife of J. B. Mud, 
of the same county : Jesse, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church 

located in . Missouri: I\Ielvin E.. of this sketch, and George, who 

is livins in AVoodson Countv. 



75^ HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

Melvin E. Hunt was reared in the usual manner of fanner lads. His 
I'ducational nrivilej;es were limited and exjierience has been his most ef- 
ficient teacher, her lessons provinjr of value to him in the practical affairs 
of life. At the aire of sevmteen years he started out to make his own 
way in the world, working on ranches and farms, first in Missouri and 
later in Clay County. Texas. Ix'eturning lo the foiiiier state he tlien en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account, and in 1884 he 
came to Woodson County, arriving in the month of March. He first lo- 
cated in Liberty totvnship, where he engaged in the raising of stock and 
grain, following those pur.uits until elected to the office of county 
sheriff, when he removed to Yates Center. In 1895 he defeated the Re- 
publican candidate for that office by three hundred and seventy-five 
votes, and in 1897 he was again elected by an increased majority, a fact 
which clearly indicates that his duties had been discharged most accepta- 
bly, promptly and faithfully. His record on retiring from office was as 
spotless as when he entered it and four years of creditable service were 
added to his life's history. On the 1st. of January. 1900. lie retired from 
office and resinned his former business of dealing in stock, of which he is 
such an excellent .iudge that his labors have been crowned with a very 
gratifying degree of success. 

Mr. Hunt was married in Schuyler County. Missouri. March 8. 1872, 
to Cordelia V. Huff, a daughter of fieorge Huff, who throughout the 
greater part of his active business career resided in the vicinity of Rock 
Ts'and. Illinois. After his death his wdow married Charles Shaw. By 
her first marriage she had two children— Mrs. Hunt and fieorge. the 
latter a resident of Pratt County. Kansas. TTnto Mr. and IMrs. Hunt 
have been born three children: "Willard E.. who married Blanche Hyde 
and is now with the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company; 
Charles, of Yates Center, and Marvin, who is still with his parents. 

In his social relations Mr. Hunt is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias 
and an Odd Fellow and in the last named organis'ation has talcen all 
the degrees. He has been a staunch Democrat in politics since casting his 
first presidential vote foi- Samuel J. Tilden and has always taken a deep 
and abiding interest in the success of his party and in the promotion of 
public interests intended for tbe ctpucra] trood. 



HON. JOHN H. BAYER. 

In no other phase of life can a man better demonstrate his fealty lo 
his country and his loyalty to its interests than in the political arena, 
for therein is invested the vitality of a nation's power, the mainspring 
of its internal machinery and the kevniote to its progress and prosperity. 
Amons the patriotic citizens of Woodson County who have been closely 
identified with the Eepublican party through manj' years none is better 




J- /^ ^^^^»- 



w 



\ 



\ 



WOODSON COrXTlE.S, KAXSAS. 757 

kmnvii or more highly appreciated than the Hon. John H. Bayer, who has 
twice been elected to represent his district in the general assembly and 
has filled other official positions. He believes that it is the duty of every 
American citizen to give his time and attention to public intei'ests and to 
asi-;ist, as far as it lies in his power to do so, in promoting those measures 
and movements which promote the general good, and thus he has long 
been an active factor in the ranks of his party in Woodson County. 

Mr. Bayer, moreover, is a very successful, enterprising and progres- 
sive business man, connected with the agricultural and stockrraising in- 
terests of Woodson County. His landed posses.sions are quite extensive 
and his home farm is one of the best improved properties in this section 
ol' the state. 

It is the province of the biographist to trace his career through 
.•iuceessful phases down to the present day and therefore we note that his 
I'irthplace was in the province of Hanover, Germany, his natal day be- 
ing April 14, 1836. His father, John A. Bayer, was a wagonmaker, who 
was born in Saxony, the family home having been near Leipsic through 
many generations. Becoming a resident of Hanover, he there spent this 
lemaining day?', dying at the age of sixty-four years, when our subject 
was a youth of only thirteen years. The mother bore the maiden name of 
Kophia Wiettege and died in 1847, leaving two children, John A. and 
John H. By, a former marriage the father had a family of seven chil- 
dren, one of whom, Annie, is the wife of Conrad Herder, of Woodson 
County. 

When only eight years of age John H. Bayer, of this review, began 
10 earn his own livelihood. In the summer he worked hard and in the 
winter season he attended school. He seeiu-ed in advance the money 
necessary to pay his passage to America, and in 1851 he sailed from 
Bremen on the Humboldt which safely reached the harbor of New York. 
Mr. Bayer landed in the New World with less than a half dollar in 
money and that was stolen from him, so that he began life in America 
absolutely penniless. Money, however, cannot make success altogether. 
It requires determination, energy and hard work and in those qualities 
Mr. Bayer M'as rich. He entered the employ of his brother-in-law in the 
liutchering business and remained in New York until July, 1854, when he 
went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he clerked in a grocery store. 
In 1856. however, he returned to New York and sailed for England to 
visit his brother Codfried Bayer. For six months he remained in that 
country and then returned to the United States. For four years he was 
in the employ of Asa T. Child, a farmer at Woodstock, Connecticut, and 
upon leaving that position he embarked in the butcher business on 
his own account in New York, in 1860, successfully conducting the enter- 
prise until 1865. 

In the fall of that year Mv. Bayer arrived in Woodson County and 
located on section twenty-thi'ee. township twenty-five, range sixteen. He 



75>> HISTORY OF ALLIEN AND 

has bt'L-oiiic <iiic oi the leading and snccessf\d farmers and cattle raisers 
of the county and is now niakintr a specialty of short horn thoroughbred 
c.ittle, having tome very valuable stock, llis home farm comprises five 
hundred and two and a half acres of laud, all in one body, and in addi- 
tii'U to this he owns other farming laud in the county. His investments 
have been judiciourly made and he is now in possession of verj' desirable 
realtj' which is constantly increasing in value. 

Before leaving the east Mr. Bayer was married in April, 1862, to 
Miss Dorothea Teleke, also a native of Hauovei-, ("ieruiany. Slie died in ISTfi 
and is survived bj* four of her seven children. In September, 1877, Mr. 
Bayer was again married, his second union being with Augusta Staub, a 
daughter of Frederick Stel¥en. who died in Prussia. In 1858 Mrs. Bayer 
came to Kansas and since 1877 has resided in Woodson Cotinty. 

Mr. Bayer became familiar with American politics while residing 
11. the fourth ward of New York city the methods of the Democracy 
there disgusted him and he allied his interests with the Republican party, 
casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lineolu and since sup- 
porting it^■ candidates. He has always taken a deep interest in political 
affairs in Woodson County and his loyalty to the party and his fitness 
for public office has won him political honors. In 1877 and again in 1880 
lie was elected county commissioner, and at the latter election received 
the unanimous vote of his township, a fact which indicates high standing 
v\-here he is best known. During the second term he was chairman of 
tlie board and made a record for honesty and fairness that has never been 
surpassed by any incumbent in the office. In 18f)0 Mr. Bayer was chosen 
by the T?epublicans to represent the district in the s*ate legislature and 
was eliected, but was unseated by a Populist hou^e. His fellow citizens 
at the next election again placed" his name on the ticket and he i-eeeived 
a pronouned ma.iority. He served on eight committees, was one of the 
working members of the assembly and succeeding in securing the pas- 
sage of a bill for the establishment of a park in Neosho Falls, He is 
identified with two organizations indicating his interest in fine stock — 
the Improved Stock Breeders' Association of Kansas and the Central 
Short Horn Breeders' Association of the United States, His religious 
Vielief is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He has 
led a busy, useful and honorable life, and over his pidilic career and 
private record there falls no shadow of wrong. 



ALFRED A. KECK. 
ALFRED A. KECK is an honored veteran of the Civil war. an en- 
torprisinsi asrriculturist and merchant, and a leading and influential citi- 
zen of North township. Woodson County, who in every relation in life 
has been found true to duty, whether that duty has been armed resist- 



A\00i)SON coi'.NtiE;;, ka.s.i.v.^. z^iy 

^iiiiee lo the foe of the Union or the more (jiiiet labors connected with the 
■•support of his family and the faithful diseliarge of his obligations to his 
'Country in times of peace. 

Mr. Keclv was born in Davis County, Indiana. March 2, 1837. His 
father, Philip Keck, was a native of Tennessee and married Orplia 
Kuteh. a native of Indiana : parents both dead. He had gone to the 
latter state with his parents when a youth of thirteen years and there he 
spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1857, when he was 
forty-three years of age, his wife long surviving liim, parsing away in 
1887, at the age of seventy-four years. Of their family of eight children. 
:six are yet living: Alfred A.. John. Christian. Nelson. Wilson and 
Levrinda. The daughter is now the wife of Elmer ^Yalker. 

Upon a farm Alfred A. Keek was reared and in the labors of field 
and meadow he assisted throughoiit the period of his youth. As is the 
usual maanner of young men when they start out in life for themselves 
lie fought a companion and helpmate for the journey, and on the -1th. of 
June, 1857, was united iii marriage to Miss Martha McCarter. a native of 
Indiana. Her father, Moses McCarter, was a native of Tennessee and 
Jiedded Miss Sarah Ketehum. a Kentucky lady and in an early day re- 
moved to Indiana, where both Mr. and Mrs. McCarter spent their la.st 
days. They had eight children, but only three survive, namely: Mrs. 
Keck. William and INTrs. Nancy Leggerwood. 

Mr. and Mrs. Keck began their domestic life upon a rented farm 
and he continued the cultivation of the soil until the country became in- 
A^olved in war, when with patriotic spirit he oflPered his services to the 
government, enlisting as a member of company B. Fifteenth Indiana in- 
fantry, on the 14th. of June. 1861. responding to the first call for troops 
to serve for three years. On account of disability he was discharged 
September 25, 1861, but the following year, he again .joined the army, 
liecoming a member on the 1st. of September, 1862. At the second en- 
rollment he was made a member of company I, Twenty-seventh Regi- 
ment of Indiana Volunteers, and with that command served until almost 
the close of the war. being honorably discharged on the 25th. of March, 
1865. He saw some hard service and participated in a number of hotb' 
■contested battles, including the engagements of Antietam, Chancellors- 
ville. Gettysburg. Resaea, Dallas. Peach Tree Creek and others. At the 
battle of Antietam he was wounded in the legs, was shot through the left 
arm in a skirmish in front of Atlanta and received a slight scalp wound 
by the bursting of a bomb shell at Kenesaw mountain. 

WHien the war was ended Mr. Keck returned to his wife and two 
children, whom he had left in order to do battle for the Union, and once 
more resumed his labors on the home farm. He remained in Indiana 
until October. 1882, when he came to Kansas, taking i;p his abode at his 
present place of residence in Noi'th to\\Tiship. Woodson County, where 
lie owns two hundred and forty acres of land twelve and a half miles 



^6^0 HrrsrokY ov allkx .\sn 

northwest of Yates Center. Here lie enjiaged in general farming: antS 
stoek-iaisinur. HiakiBjr a specialty of the sheep industiy, and continued, 
ill the stock businei^s until 1887. In that year he was elected and assumed, 
the dutie; of tiie office of sheriff of Woodson County, in which capacity he 
Served for two ttsrnus in a most acceptable and creditable manner. On; 
liis retirenunt from office he returned to his farm, and has since super- 
vised its euhivation and imiuovement. In 18114 he was appointed post- 
master of Keck, which position he still holds in the present year, 1901. 
Purchasing a small stock of goods he lias since engaged in general mer- 
chandising in collection with the management of tlie post office, and hi.« 
grocery sales now amount to about three thorusaiid dollars annually. 

Unto ^Ir. and Jlrs. Keck have been boru seven children, all yet liv- 
ing, namely: John P. and Wilson E., who are now residing in Indiana; 
William T,, in Chicago, Illinois; S, (iiaiit. who is in business in Yates. 
Center; Hester A,, wife of A, J. Smith, of Oklahoma; Donna C, wife 
B. J. Colman. of Kansjis City, ilissouri. and Herschel A., at home, his 
fime being devoted to tlie cultivation of his father's farm. The family 
residence is a beautiful home situated on an eminence which commands 
an excellent view of the surrounding country. A fine grove of uative^ 
forest trees surrounds the place and the Keck dwelling is regarded as 
one of the most attractive features of the landscape in this part of the 
County. 

In his political views Mr. Keek has always been a Hepublican. un- 
wavering in support of the principles of tlie party, and on that ticket he 
has been elected to the offices which he has so acceptably filled. In addi- 
tion to the office of sheriff he has served for two terms as to^wnship trustee 
and for two ternis has been .justice of the peace of North to\mship. He 
has been re-elected to every office in which he has served— a fact which is 
unmistakable evidence of his capability and trustworthiness. Honorable 
in business, reliable in office and faithful in friendship, his record in 
private life equals in fidelity his career as a soldier when he wore the blue 
vciiifViriii iif tilt' luitiiin ;iiid ffiu>ihl to sustain llie c-i^ntial '_'<>veniiiieiit. 



THOMAS W. PLUMMEK. 

THOJIAS W. PLUMMEK, whose business activities have largely 
connected him with the substantial improvement and upbuilding of the 
west, has for sixteen years engaged in handling real estate in Yates Cen- 
ter and is one of the well known and reliable business men of the city. He 
is a native of Lincolnshire, England, born July S. 1839. but since early 
youth has been a resident of this republic. His father, John B. Plum- 
irer. was also a native of the "ilerrie Isle" and there married Mary E. 
Wilkinson. He was a farmer by occupation and in 184fi he came with 
his familv to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, Wiscon.sin, 



TroaDSON cot'^^'i ij 



%\here lie resided luitil 185'J. when he went to Pi-aiiie du Chien. that 
■Slate, there spending his i*eniaining days, his death oeeurriui; in 1800, 
when he had reached the ripe age of four seor* years. In his family 
were sixteen children, nine of whom are yet living: Emma, now JMis. 
Shipmau. a widow, of New York city : Thomas W., of tliis I'eview ; John 
W.. who resides in Wilmington. North Carolina: Mary, wife of Dr. 
Stiger, of Prairie du Chieii. Wisconsin: KUen, wfe of George 'SI. Rising, 
of Jlinneapolis, Mnn\?sota : Edward, of Augusta. AVisconsin : Harry "W.. 
of San Francisco, California, and Sarah AV., wife of M. J. Scanlon, of 
Minneapolis, j^finnesota. and Jolm W. Phimmer. of Wilmington. North 
•Carolina. 

Thomas AV. I'luiiniier was but .-even years of age when he hade 
adieu to the land of his birtli and came witli his parents to the new 
Avorld. He pursued a common school education in AVisconsiu and at 
the age of seventeen years left tlie parental liome. going into tlie pineries 
Avhere he was engaged in cutting, sawing and hauling logs for two years. 
On the expiration of that period he went to Grand Haven. Michigan, and 
worked on the construction of the Milwaukee & Grand Haven Railroad 
for two j^ars, acting as time-keeper and book-keeper for tthe contractor. 
In the meantime his parents had removed to Prairie du Cliien, Wiscon- 
sin, and he there joined them, being at that place at the time of the 
inauguration of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the dis- 
turbance in tlie South and the growth of the spirit of rebellion and 
resolved that if an attempt at secession was made he would strike a 
Ti'ow for the defense of the Hnion. Accordingly, in April. 1861, he 
■eidisted in Company C. Sixth Wisconnn Infantry, under Colonel Lys- 
ander Cutler, and was mustered into service at Madison, Wisconsin, on 
the 16th of July, the regiment being attached to the Army of the Poto- 
mac at Washington, where he remained until the si)ring of 1862, with 
]\IcClellan"s forces. He then went South with General AleDowell's army 
and was in the engagements at Slaughter Mine and Gainesville, was also 
in the second battle of Bull Run. South Mountain. Antietam. Fredericks- 
liurg, Pitzluigh Crossing. Chancellorsville, Mine Run and the Wilder- 
nirs, after which his company went up the James river to Petersburg. 
TMr. Pluiniiier was commissioned second lieutenant at Arlington Heights 
was made first lieutenant and was promoted captain on the Potomac 
river just before the engagement at Chnneellorsville, while in 1S64 he was 
breveted major and commanded his regiment a part of the time. 

Major Plummer left the army on the 16th day of July. 1864, and 
returned to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the 
i?'ock business for some time. His residence in that city covered alto- 
gether an aggregate of fourteen years. On lea^nng there he entered the 
service of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, then constructing its 
line, being employed as bridge foreman. He followed the line out to 
Ogden, Utah, and then i-eturned to do bridge work, in the capacity of 



76;! nrsTORV OP ALLEN AXD 

f. leiiian. on tlit» Si. I'aul >Sc Dulutli Hailioad. bciny; tluis eiitraireii Tor 
more than a year, lie next went to the Red River of the North and for 
a lime followed the business of tradin<i with tlie Indians, after whieli 
l,e came to Kansas, loeatintr in Woodson County, where he carried on 
farininjj unlil ISTfi. That year witnes;~ed his removal to Texas and lo- 
CHtino; near Dallas, he furnished wood and ties, under contract to the- 
r. & P. U. R. Co. and Co'ton Belt Railroad Company. In 1881 he 
returned to Woodson County, where he again engagred in farming for 
two years and then sold his land and took up his abode in Yates Center, 
where for sixteen years he ha'- conducted real estate transactions, hand- 
ling some valuable property. He has a comp.'-ehensive knowledge of 
realty values and of favorable locations, and is thus competent to advise 
his clients to their best advantage. 

Ma.ior Plunmier was married in Woodson County in December, 1878. 
to Miss Mary P. Hamilton, daughter of Alexander Hamilton, and their- 
children are Bernard W.. Mary Lenore and Claire S. The ^lajor was 
reared in the Democratic faith, cast his first presidential vote for Ste- 
()hen A. Douglas and was a Democrat until 1901. Socially he is iden- 
tified with the Order of Red Men and witli tlie 'Irand .\rmy of the 
I>nublic, and as a citizen he is as loyal to his country and her bes 
interests as when the tocsin of war sounded and he went to the front 
as one of the boyr in blue, to return with the rank of major as the 
rocotrnition nf three vear's faithful and loval service. 



HARVEY SURPRISE. 

HARVEY SURPRISE, who is engaged in general farming in Em- 
inence township, came to Woodson County in the spring of 1870 and 
purchased a claim on AVest Buffalo creek, where he has since made 
liis home. His father, Peler Surprise, was born in Canada, in August, 
IT!);?, and after an active business career is still living at the remarka- 
ble age of one hundred and seven years. In 1819 he removed to the 
slate of New York and the next year went westward to Chicago. In 
1836 he removed to Lake County. Indiana, which was his place of abode 
for a long period. He married Rosanna Taylor, and fourteen children 
were born unto thenr nine of whom reached years of maturity. Sarah, 
tlie oldest, is the deceased wife of Steward Stillson : Elizabeth, married 
a Mr. Coe and after his death, wedded a Mr. Harding: Harvey is the 
third of the family: Henry, Oliver and William, whose births occurred 
in the order mentioned, are all residents of Lake County. Tnd.. Lavina is the 
wife of Leander Vaudecai, of Woodson Comity: Melvina, twin sister 
111 Lavina. is the deceased wife of William Wheeler: Armina is the 
wife of James Rosenbower. of T^ake County. Indiana : the other mem- 
boi-^ nf tbp family died in childhood. 



WOOnSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 763 

Harvey Surjirise. was born Dcct'inber 25. 18:35. in New York, and 
the followintr year the family removed to Lake County. Indiana, where 
lie was reared and made hi.s home until 1852, when he crossed the plains 
111 California, where he engaged in prospecting, .spending four years on 
the Pacitie coast. In 185-1, he started to return on the steamer "Yankee 
l^lake'" which ran on a rock oft" the eoa.st about one hundred and eighty 
miles south of San Francisco. ^Yith others, Mr. Surprise was picked up 
by a coast boat and taken back to San Francisco, after which he remain- 
ed for two years longer in California in ordei- to recuperate from Ids 
losses si-stained in the wreck. Finally by ship he made his way to New 
York, crossing the Isthmus of Punama. After his return home he was 
employed as a farm hand by the month, but when he felt that the 
duty to his country was stronger than any other life, he put aside all 
business and personal considerations, enlisting August 10. 1862, as a 
n'ember of Company T, Seventy-third Indiana Infantry, being mustered 
in at South Bend. Tie regiment was first ordered to Kentucky, where 
it nceived the guns and then went to Lexington. Mr. Snrpri.se first met 
the enemy in this locality but the first regular engagement in which he 
participated was at Perryville. Kentiicky and later he took part in the 
engagement at Murfreeboro. Tennessee. In tthe .spring of 1863 his 
regiment started on a raid under Colonel Straight, going as far as 
Tiome. (Georgia, before captured by General Forest and his men. Mr. Sur- 
l)iise was paroll(>(l at Rome but was in the hands of the rebels until 
exchanged at City Point. Virginia. He then returned to Indiana and 
after a ten days' furlough aided in the capture of General Morgan in 
Ohio. Subsequently he guarded prisoners in Indianapolis until the fall 
election of ISfi'l, when the regiment was .'ent to Nashville to do guard 
duty. The following spring they were ordered to Decatur. Alabama, 
vhere they were engaged in fighting bushwaekers. On the 8th of Jul,y, 
1865. IMr. Surprise received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis. 

Thiough the summer he followed farming in Indiana and in the 
fall of that year came to Kansas, locating in Coft'ey county, where he 
resided until the spring of 1870. when he i-emoved to AYoodson County. 
He owns land in sections twenty-eight, twenty-six and thirty-five. Emi- 
nenc township and a tract in Belmont township, the whole aggregating 
two hundred and eighty acres. His farming interests are well con- 
ducted and his labors bring to him a good financial return. 

Mr. Snrjirise has been twice married. On the Rth of ]\Iarch. 1850. 
lie was joined iTi wedlock to INIiss Juliet Burch. who died in 1874. leaving 
the following children: Rose, now the wife of John Iloman. of South 
Omaha. Nebraska : Henry, of Woodson County, and Peter, of Okla- 
homa. On the 3d of February. 1875. Mr. Surprise was again married, 
his second union being with Mary Chapell, a daughter of Miranda 
(Readl Chapell by her first marriage, who came to Kansas from Otsego 
County. New York, in the spring of 1870 and here spent her remaining 



764 HrSTUKV OF ALLKN AXIi 

(l.iys. The ehildieii of AViii. Chapell were: Georfre. of Neosho ('oiinty, 
Kansas; Dwight. who is also living in that county: Charles, of Q. Okla- 
homa, and Nellie, wife of Joseph Rininger. The father of this family 
vas born in Chenango County, New York, September 2fi. 1813, and hi- 
wife in Brookfield, that state. July 1, 1824. Both have now passed 
away. The childien of the second marriage of Mr. Surprise are: Anna, 
wife of Osro Easley, of Rest, Kansas; Nellie, wife of George Reagon. of 
\\'ood;on County; Moses N., Lovisa, Lillie P. and Juliet, who are with 
tlieir parents. 

Mr. Surprise was reared in the faith of the Whig party of which 
his father was a supporter and on attaining his majority he became a 
Republican and has never wavered in his allegiance to the party or to 
any cause which he believes to be right and .just, displaying the same 
fidelity which he manifested when he fought in defense of the Union 
on the battle fields of the South. AYoodson County gained a valuable 
citi/en when be cast in his lot wth her residents and throughout the 
comuninitv bis worth is indicated bv Ibe bisfb regard in which he is 
held. 



FRANK J. DUMOND. 

FWANK J. DUMOND, of Rose, is the eldest son and child of the 
late John W. Dumond. an honored pioneer of Woodson County, who 
located a claim in Eminence township in 1866, only five years after 
the admission of the st^te into the Union and while this portion of Kan- 
sas was still lai'gely unimpi'ovcd. TIere he died about seven years latei-. 

The sub.iect of this review was born October 20, 1867, and his home 
has been within the confines of Woodson County continuously since. 
He was reared on the farm owned by the family and attended the 
common schools, acquiring a good Englisli education. After attaining 
Ills majority be engaged in farming for ten years, finding that a profita- 
ble labor. He was thus engaged until 1S96. when be began dealing in 
hay at Rose, and during the past five years be has done much of the 
slii]>ping of this commodity at this point. His business affords a good 
market to the hay producers of this section of the county as well as 
brings to him a good financial return. He attends strictly to his busi- 
ness and his close application and energy have gained for him a place 
among the prosperous business men of the region. 

On the 2r)th of January. 1890. Mr. Dumond was united in marriage 
to Miss Cora E. Thorpe, who died in August. 1803. leaving one child. 
Gertrude M. In May, 1900. he was again married, his second union be- 
ing wnth Miss Jane A. Gregg, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Auld) 
Gregg. They have a pleasant borne and many friends in Rose and through- 
out Woodson County. In his social relations ^Ir. Dumond is a repre- 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 765 

seulaiive oi the ^lodeni Woodmen of Aiiieriea and of the Ancient Order 
of United \Yorknien. Having spent his entire life in the county his his- 
tory is a familiar one to his fellow townsmen, and that he has their 
high regard is an evidence that his career has been dominated bj' prin- 
ciples and practices which command respect. 



ENOCH T. THOMPSON. 

ENOCH T. THOMPSON, a well known and highly esteemed resi- 
dent of Toronto, who is now engaged in the furniture business, was born 
in Madison County, Ohio, on the 13th of May, 183G. His father, Daniel 
Thompson, was born in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, and there .spent the 
days of his boyhood and youth. His father was John Thompson who 
with his family removed to Madison County, Ohio, in the year 1812. The 
father of our sub.jeet was then single. He made a sash for the first glass 
vindow used in London, Madison County, and was an active factor in 
business there for many years. His death occurred in 1873 when he 
was seve'y-nine years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Dorothy Thomas, was a daughter of Enoch Thomas, who removed from 
Virginia to Ohio and there he spent his remaining days, passing away 
iii 1849. The mother of our subject survived her husband seven years 
and died in 1880. Their children were : Elizabeth, the deceased wife of 
Daniel Freeman, who at her death left one son. J. C. Freeman, James, 
who died in 1878 ; Sarah, the deceased wife of Edward Stutson ; Char- 
h tie, the widow of E. W. Ogilvie; Dorothy, the deceased wife of Uriah 
Wilbur: Enoch T.. of this review; and Mrs. Eliza Taggart, whose hus- 
hiind is deceased and who resides in Topeka. Kas. 

Enoch T. Thompson was reared on his father's farm and aided in the 
development of the fields and in the operation of a saw mill. He also 
worked at the carpenter's trade, displaying considerable mechanical in- 
genuity in the i;se of tools. As a companion and helpmate on life's jour- 
ney he chose ]\Iiss Mary C. Settle and his choice was ratified by marriage 
on the 26th of December. ISGl. The lady was a daughter of Meredith 
Settle who removed from Virginia to Ohio. In the year 1876 Mr. Thomp- 
son left his home in the Buckeye state and took up his abode in Allen 
County. Kansas. Since the fall of 1880 he has made his home in Wood- 
son County, first locating three miles north of Toronto where he was en- 
gaged in farming for three years. IJe then removed to the city where 
he worked at the carpenter's ti-ade until 1886, since which time he has 
been engaged in the furniture business, as the successor of Martin Lock- 
ard. He carries a large and well selected stock of furniture and un- 
dertaker's goods to meet the varying tastes of his patrons. His business 
policy is one which awakens the commendation and confidence of all, 
and his reasonable prices, his uniform courtesy and his fair dealing have 



766 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

won hini a very large patrouage. aud he is now enjoying a gratifying 
success. He is also interested in the Toronto Gas & Mining Company. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mi-s. Thompson has been blessed with three 
children: Viola, the eldest, is now the wife of Kev. X. L. Vezie, of lola. 
James married iliss Clara Baker and Edward married Miss Elsie Sam- 
ple. The mother of this family died in 1S84. and in ISSli. Mr. Thomp- 
son again marrietl. his second union being with Mary G. Heagj-. a daugh- 
ter of Charles Starratt. By the second marriage there are two children : 
E. Gertnide aud John. 

At the time of the Ci\"il war Mr. Thompson manifested his loyalty 
to the Uuion by enlisting in February. 1S65, when 27 yeare of age. becom- 
ing a member of Company C. One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. He saw ser\nce in the Shenandoah valley where he was 
K.cated with his regiment at the time of General Lee's .«\irrender. On 
the 27th of August, lS6o. he received an honoi'able discharge and re- 
turned to his home. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham 
Lincoln aed has since been a stalwart advocate of the Republican prin- 
ciples, but he has never been an aspirant for political oflSee, giving his 
time and attention to his business affairs whereby he has advanced stead- 
ily on the road to prosperity. 



WILLLXM C. WILLE. 

A representative of the real estate interestt-* of Yaies Center ana 
V»"oodson Count}". ^Villiam C. AVille has contributed in large measure to 
the growth, improvement and upbuilding of this section of the Sun- 
tii.wer state. Posses-^eil of fine commercial ability, aided by the exercise 
of sound judgment and indomitable energy, he has not only won success 
for himself but has aided materially in the growth and prosperity of 
the city. He has been a resident of the county since the spring of 1S74, 
coming to the state frv<ni Iowa. He is. however, a native of Chica^ro. 
Illinois, where he was born February 13, 1S5L His father. Henry TVille, 
was born in Hanover, Germany in 1795 and came to the United States in 
l!^4S, locating near Chicago. He engaged in farming in Cook County. 
Illinois until 1S.55 when he removed to Linn County. Iowa, coming thence 
to Woodson County. Here he spent his last years, passing away in 1SS7. 
He was first married in Germany and by that union had two children. 
Henry and George, residents of Linn County. Iowa and Yates Center, 
respectively. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Canv 
1-ne Fusterman. and died in Wichita. Kansas, in July. 1S97. The child- 
ren of the second marriage, seven now living are William C. : Aaron, who 
is living in Northeastern Nebraska : Louis, of Red Oak, Iowa : and Callie, 
wife of Supterintendent Tracy, of the Fort Scott & Wichita railroad, 

Wlien about five years of age Mr. Wille accompanied his parents on 



Tv'OOnSON COINTIES, KANSAS. 767 

rtheir removal to Iowa where he was ediieated in the luihlie seliools aud 
"vorked upon his father "s farm. On attaining- his majority he started out 
in life on his own aej.^ount. and in tlie spring of 1874 eame to Woodson 
t'ounty, locating first in Kalida, where he engaged in the hotel business. 
Jn 1879 he removed to Toronto, where for eleven years he was engaged in 
tiie conduct of a harne.s and saddlery store. Coming to Yates Center, 
lie is now one of the mo.st prominent repi-eseutatives of the real estate 
business in the city. A casual observer can form no conception of the 
important i)ositiou held by the active, enterprising agent, devoted to the 
work of buying and selling real estate, establishing values and otherwise 
stimulating property holdei's to tlie great impro\xments it lies within 
their power to make. Mr. AVille is one of this class and the. judicious 
jjrineiples which he upholds in his transactions, the care witJi which he 
investigate poirits conrec ed therewilli. are st curing to him a largo and 
well de-er\-ed patronage. 

In 1881 Mr. Wille was married to Miss Margaret Stewart, a daiighter 
of "William Stewart, of Yates Center, and formerly from Southern Ohio. 
They ha^■e two children. Jessie and Calvin Stewart. In his political affil- 
jiitions ilr. ^Ville has alwa>"s treeu a Kepubliciin, and m 1889 was elected 
county ti-easurer which po^ition he filled so acceptably that he was re- 
elected in 1891 and therefore filled the otifice for four years. Por two 
Aears he was deputy county clerk and has also been deputy register of 
<leeds, while for twelve yeai-s be has been a notary p\iblic. Socially he is 
a representative of the Masonic fraternity and is also member of the Odd 
Felkw-s society and tlie Knights of Pythias lodge. He is influential in 
political and fraternal circles and is widely recognized as a diligent, en- 
terprising and progres.sive business man. 



AVILLIAM J. MITCHELL. 

Tlie laws of nature liave provided that labor always brings change, 
that effort is always followed by result, and therefore when labor is well 
directed and effort carefully pUinned the outcome is most desirable. Toil 
thus becomes a marketable commodity of value and brings, in measure, that 
for which every business man is seeking— wealth. "William J. Mitchell 
IS of the class of representative farmers whose energies ha\"e been so prose- 
cuted along well defined lines of activity that he is now in possession of a 
handsome competence, being the owner of one of the fine farms of "Wood- 
son county. 

A native of Ohio, he was born in Adams County. March 30, 1841, a son 
<f William and Nancy (Johns^ Mitchell, also natives of the Buckeye state. 
The father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and died in Ohio in 
1885. at the age of seventy-six years. His wife departed this life many 
years pre\-iousiy. being called to her final rest in 1854. at the age of forty- 



,0.> illST()K^ "t- AI.l.K.N \.\r, 

three. Tl>y woe the parents of eleven ehiklren. eip:ht of wlioni aie yet 
hviuj;, William J. being the fiftli in orcler of birth. He spent his youth gib 
the old liunie. lead farm in Ohio and at the age of eightetn began learning 
the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in his native state until twenty-six 
years of age. In 1868 he removed to Livingston Count}% Illinois, where he 
was engaged in the work of the smithy until 1881. when he came to Kansas, 
>et!ling in Cofl'ey County. There he purchased eighty acres of land upon 
which he resided for three years, when he sold that property and came to 
Woodson County. Here he has made his home continuously .since. He 
liought one bundled and sixty acres of land in North township and in 
connection with blacksmilhing carried o!i farming. As his financial re- 
source.s increased he added to his property until his landed possessions now 
aggregate four hundred and eighty acres. A good hon.^e and barn are 
among the ftatures of the place and neatness and thrift characterize the 
fiirm in every depai'tnient. In connection with blacksmithing and the pro- 
duction of grain he has also expensively and successfull\' engaged in rais- 
ing cattle for the market and now has a large liei'd ui)nn his place. His farm 
is pleasantly and conveniently situated thirteen miles northwest of the 
county seat and he has postoffice facilities at Keck. 

In 1865 Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Maria Carlisle, a 
native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Miriam ( Vinceuhaler) Carlisle. 
The father was a na-ive of Vii-ginia. the mothei- of Ohio and both died in 
the Buckeye state. Unto ]\Ir. and Mis. Mitchell have been boi-n four chil- 
dren : Silvia, wife of J. T. Parkinson, who is residing in Port Orchard, 
Washington : Ora, wife of J. F. Miller; Effie, a teacher of Woodson County, 
and Maude, who is also engaged in leaching in this county. Tliey have also 
lost two children— Panniel, who died in Illinois at the age of twelve years, 
and Harnian. who died in the same .state when nine years of age. 

Mr. Mitchell exercises his right of franchi: e in support of the men and 
nieasui'cs of Democracy and by his fellow townsmen has been elected to p\ib- 
iic office. He served for one term as township trustee, and at this writing is 
capably filling the position of township treasurer. No trust reposed in hira 
has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and in all walks of life he 
is known as a man of honor and reliability. 



WILLIAM P. TAYLOR. 

Real estate business is a most important factor in the material pros- 
perity of a community. A casual observer can form no conc<'ption of the 
i7nportant position held by the active, enterprising agent, devoted to the 
work of buying and selling real estate, establishing values and otherwise 
stimulating property holders to the greatest improvements it lies in their 
power to make. Mr. Taylor is one of this class. The .iudicious principles 
which he ujiholds in his transactions, the care with which he investigates 



"WOOTDSON COl'S'rtEli. kA.\.^.i> ~'bh 

jjK-ints uoiiiu-cted therewith, arc securing for him a hiriiv and well desvrved 
pi.tronage, and the firm of AV. I*. Taylor ifc Son is now a prominent on€ iii 
this line in Yates Center. 

William P. Taylor was born in Fayette County, Ohio, iiear Washing- 
ton Courthoixse, March 9, 1839. His father, William R. Taylor, was born 
near Frankfort, Kentncky. in 17S8. and thronghont his active business life 
Cc(rried on farming. He passed away in 1875, at the age of seventy-six 
.;>ears. In his political views he was a war Democrat and always supported 
the principles of the Democracy, bnt tv.-o of his sons, who served in the 
ITnion army became Republicans. The mother of onr subject bore the 
naiden name of Mary Hoppas and was of German birth, a daughter of 
•John Hoppas, who was also a native of the fatherland as was his wife. Mrs. 
Taylor died some time prior to her hiisband's death, pas^ing away in 1851. 
Her children were Nancy, deceased wife of Jacob Drook; Robert, who has 
also departed this life ; Alary J., deceased wife of William Ebright : John H.. 
Or Williamsfield. Illinois: Samuel S., of Neosho. Alirsouri; Rosetta, wife 
of Eli Reece, of Clifton. Illinois: Isaac B.. who died in Indiana : AVillam P. 
and Jacob A., both of AVoodson Count.v. 

In his .youth and early manhood Air. Taylor was identified with agri- 
cultural pursuits. He was onl.v about two years of age when his parents re- 
moved from Fayette County, Ohio, to Grant County, Indiana, and there 
be was reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the 
f elds, for the family resided upon a farm. AVhile working for an uncle in 
Jjiv County, Indiana, he offered his services to the country as a d.^-fender of 
the Union, enlisting as a member of the Twenty-fourth Indiana battery, 
"bich was a+t«nched to the Twenty-third corps of the army of the Ohio. 
AYith his command he participated in the battles of Marborn. Kentucky, 
I'owden. Tennessee, the seiffe of Knoxville and the seise of Atlanta and 
the Atlanta eampaiorn. After the fall 'of the city his battery went with 
Opppfals Schofield and Thomas in pursuit of Hood and thus he participated 
in the ensragenients at Franklin and Nashville. He then went to Louisville, 
Tven'f'uckv. where the battery was divided among four forts and there 
held until August 5. 1SR5. when the war having ended Air. Taylor was 
7T)ustered out. On many a hotly contested field he has displayed his loyalty 
and his bravery, and to his home he retTirned with a most creditable mili- 
tary record. 

Once more in the north he began farming in Lake County. Indiana, 
and the following year was there married. He continued agricultural pur- 
suits there until 1869. when on the 11th. of October, he started for Wood- 
son Countv. Kansas, driving across the country and reaching his destination 
on the 14th. of November. He located first in Belmont township, where he 
f(^llowed farming and stock raising until the spring of 1875. He then went 
to Defiance, and a year later removed to Yates Center and erected the fifth 
buildinfr here— the Commercial Hotel, which he conducted .successfully for 
seven vears. For two vears he engaged in merchandising with his son. 



"f-O MiSTORY Of ALLEN AKET 

•Jacob K.. af er which he served as justice of the peace for four yeai-s. and- 
since that time he has been connected with the real estate business as- 
ihe senior member of the tirm of W. P. Tavlor & S<iu. Prosperity has at- 
tendetl his etforts. and the importaut transactions which he has conducted 
hiive brousih: to him a troixl leturn and at the sjime time have been of value 
in impro\nn« and npbuildiuir the ciry. They also conduct a loan business. 
In :he year 18!>3. in I ake County. Indiana. Jlr. Taylor was united in- 
marriavre to Mifs Matilda Sievert. a dauahter of Adolph Sievert. and they 
!)ow have four children : Jacob E.. who is associated with his father in busi- 
luss. and who married Laura, daxishter of Editor Buck, deceased: Gussie; 
William A., who is in 'he employ of the ^fi^souri Pacific Railroad Company 
and wtdded ^label Hardinsr. and (Gertrude, who completes the family. 
There is one srandchild. Perine Taylor, born to Jacob Taylor and his wife. 
Mr. Taylor of this review cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- 
coln and has since supported the men and measures of the Republican 
party. He belonsrs to the .Grand Army of the Republic, has taken the de- 
ir;ee of Ma.ster Mason and is connected with the Triple Tie. Through 
almost a third of a century he has resided in Wtwdson County and has 
watched with a deep and abidins interest its progress and improvement, 
sharins in the work of advancement as iipportunity has offered, and findinsr 
in its business opening the field of labor which he sou^t, thereby provid- 
ins for his fann"ly a comforrable competence. 



JAMES L. ^fARTIN'. 

As a Worthy rej>resentative of an honored pioneer famdy of southeast- 
crn Kansas, as a capable and faithful v>ublic official and as a leading and re- 
liable business man of Yates Center. James L. Martin is dt>serving of men- 
tion in this volume, the pnrnose of which is to perpetuate the life reconls 
of those who have contributid to the sri^owth. improvement and stability of 
this section of the Sunflower state. He is now a member of the well known 
firm of Martin & OrendorfT. of Yates Center, and is a recognized leader in 
his line of commercial activity in the county seat. 

The Martin family is of Enslish lineage and was founded in America 
ly Richard Martin, tbe grandfather of our subject, who with three of his 
sfus cn^ssed the .\tlantic to Canada. His children were James. Isaac, 
•lonathan. Freeman. William. Ezra and Anson, all of whom resided in 
the T'niteil States, were married and reared families. Of this number Wil- 
liam Martin now resides in Fort Scott. Kansas. Freeman Martin, the father 
of our subject, was married in Ogle County. Illinois, in 1S47 to Matilda 
Cox. a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of VTilliam Cox. and in ISfifi 
they came to Kansas locating in Osage township. Allen County, when not 
a single house stood between their home and the residence of Judge BrowTi 
., p ...1- —H^k. east of lo'a. ^Ir. Martin <...^nv...l i homestead claim and re- 



WOODSON COt'NTIES. KANSAS. 77 I 

■silled on tlu' O. ;ige until 188'). when he removed to Osboru County, Kansas, 
where he remained for four years. lu 1892 he removed to Broiison, Kansas, 
where his death occurred in October, 1899, wlien he was seventy-six years of 
age. His wife pa^sed away in the same city in July. 1899, so that after 
traveling life's journey together for fifty-two years they were not long 
separated in death. They had six children: Albert E.. of Bronson. Kansas; 
•James L.. John M.. also of Bronson: Tjueena I\l., wife of Tillman Birnbaum 
of lola ; Harriet C. wife of Dr. Albert Allen, of Ottawa, Kansas, and 
Fannie T.. who resided in Bronson. 

]Mr. Martin, whose name begins this record, was horn in Ogle County, 
Illinois. April 2. 1859, and was therefore only about seven years of age 
when he came with his parents to southeastern Kansas. He pursued his 
education in the connnon schools and when sixteen years of age entered 
upon his business caieer as a clerk in a store in Osborn, Kansas. He subse- 
quently entered the employ of J. Bishop, of Neosho Falls, with whom he re- 
mained as a most competent and trusted salesman for fourteen years, after 
which he was elected to the position of regis-er of deeds of Woodson County 
in 1895. for a term of two years. On the expiration of that period he was 
again chosen to the otTHee and in 1900 he retired from ot!ice as he had entered 
it— with the confidence and good will of his constituents and the public gen- 
erally. He then became a member of the firm of Martin & Orendorff, deal- 
ers in dry goods and clothing at Yates Center, and is now enjoying a good 
and growing trade, having the best e(|uipped establishment of the kind in 
the city. 

On the 5th. of September, 1880. Mr. JMartin was joined in wedlock, in 
Osborn, Kansas, to Miss Jesse A. Crampton. a daughter of Charles W. 
CrampUin. a native of Connecticut. He became a resident of Troy, New 
York, and was married there to Mary J. Harris. The children born to Mr. 
and JNIrs. Martin are three in number: Mary E.. Charles P. and Edgar P., 
all yet with their parents. Like the other members of the family Mr. 
Mai-tin is a Republican in his political views and socially he is connected 
with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern \Yoodmen of America. 
He is a gentleman of good habits, upright principles and manly conduct, 
who in the quiet but u>eful and essential walks of business life has gained 
the respect of his fellow men and won the friendship of many by reason of 
his ueiniine but unostentatious worth. 



CYRUS B. GOODALE. 

In the period of twenty-three years in which Cyrus B. Ooodale has 
rt'sided in AVoodson County he has worked his way upward from a humble 
financial position to one of affluence and is today enrolled among the well- 
to-do and progressive agriculturists of the conuniuiity. His home is in Lib- 
ei-ty township where he has a valuable farm property supplied with all 
liiodevn improvements and accessories. 



772 mSTOKV (JF AI.I.KN ANT' 

Mr. ('(UKliile is a native of Illinois, his birth having occuned in Kane 
County, that state, September 14, 1856. His father, John W. Goodale is 
i: native of New York, while his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth 
Eiackett. is a native of Vermont. In the year 1840 John Cloodale removed 
t.i Illinois and secured a elaini lon<j before the land came into market. In- 
fliaiis were still in the neitrhborhood and the locality in which he settled 
was still a frontier rey;ion givinii: little promise of the wonderful develop- 
ment soon to occur. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit 
to some extent but always- lived upon his farm whei-e he could raise cattle 
and hogs and thus add to his income by the rale of his stock. He and his 
wife are now living retired in Aurora, Illinois at the ages of seventy-six 
and sixty-six years respectively. They had nine children, of whom all are 
living, namely: Frank. Don. Cyrus B.. Emma. Mrs. Katie Boon. Mrs. 
Lizzie TTadden : I\Irs. Ella Robbins. Webb and Burt, all of whom are resi- 
dents either of Illinois or Dakota, with the exception of our sub.ject. 

Cyrus B. Goodale spent his youth upon the homestead farm in Illinois, 
acquiring a common school education and working in the fields as his age 
and strength would permit. When a young man of seventeen years he be- 
gan working at the carpenter's bench under the direction of his father and 
to farming and building devoted his energies until after he attained his nia- 
.]( rity when desiring to remove to a district where he could moie en ily se- 
cure a farm of his own. he came to Kansas in 1878. Locating in Woodson 
Count.y he followed carpentering and also operated a tract of rented land 
until his labors had brought to him a sum sufficient to enable him to pur- 
chase a tract of eighty acres three miles west and three miles north of Yates 
Center. 

Mv. Goodale further completed his arrangements for a home by his 
marriaw to Miss Carrie Collmore. the wedding lieing celebrated Tidy Ifi. 
1881. The lady is a native of the Green Mountain state and came to Kan- 
sas in 1877 with her parents. Eli.iah and S'arah Collmore. The young 
couple began their domestic life ujion the farm and with characteristic en- 
ergy he began the work of improvement, his labors making a great trans- 
formation in the appearance of the place. He has erected a handsome 
residence and had added all the accessories needed to make this one of the 
most attractive and desirable farm properties of the locality. He has also 
extended the boundaries of the place and now has one hundred and sixty 
acres. He handles such stock as his farm will support and is in his agri- 
ciiltui-al labors meeting with good success. He also lias otl'ei' Imsiness in- 
terests, being agent for the Page Woven Wire Fence and of the Cooperative 
Insurance Company, of Topeka. Kansas, of which he is also one of the di- 
rectors. 

The home of Mr. ajnd Mrs. Goodale has been blessed with five childi-en. 
as follows : Lola E.. Grant L., Lillie M.. Frank B. and John O. and the fajnily 
circle yet remains unbroken. In his political atifiliations Mr. Goodale is iden- 
tified with the People's party and has served as trustee of his township for 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 



one term. Tliere is great difference in his financial condition at the present 
tune from what is was when lie came to Kansas, for he arrived in Woodson 
C'onnty \vith a capital of two Inindred dollars, and all that he now posses- 
ses has been acfpiired since, indicating that liis life here has been char- 
acterized bj- nnflagging indnstrj-. 



FRANK W. BUTLER. 
FRANK "W. BUTLER, who is engaged in the drug business in Yates 
Center, was born in Bloomington, Illinois, on the 31st. of July, 1868. His 
father, Charles B. Butler, was for some years a very prominent and in- 
fluential citizen of Kansas. His birth occurred in Martinsville, Indiana, and 
he pursued his preliminary education in the common schools, after which he 
became a student of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where 
he M-as graduated in law. i^'ubsequently he engaged in the practice of 
law in Bloomington, Illinois, for a time. In 1869 he came to Kansas and 
devoted the greater part of his attention to the live stock business, which 
he followed with success. For two years he resided in Leroy, where he en- 
gaged in merchandising. He served in both the house of representatives 
and the senate of the Kansas legislature and left the impress of his individ- 
uality upon the laws of the state. He was a recognized leader in public 
thought and action and his political labors were of benefit and value to 
the community which he represented. He married Ann C. Depew, and 
they became the parents of four children, but our subject is the only one 
now living. He has a half si^^ter, however, Mrs. Clara Mathews, of Yates 
Center. His mother died in Bloomington, Illinois in 1881, when only 
thirty-nine years of age, and his father passed away in Colorado in 1876, 
a1 the age of thirty-seven years. 

Mr. Butler, of this review, spent the great part of his youth in his 
r.ative city and in Leroy, Kansas. He was prepared for business life by 
the educational training of the public schools and a course in the Kansas 
State University, where he pursued a course in civil engineering. He came 
to Yates Center in 1883 and has since made his home in this city. He 
entered upon his business career as a salesman in the drug store owned 
by Mr. Waymire, where he remained for four years during which time he 
mastered the business, both in principle and detail. He then opened a 
si ore of his own and is now enjoying a good patronage. 

Mr. Butler was married in Cameron, Missouri, March 3, 1893, to Miss 
Stella Ruggles. and they have a pleasant home in Yates Center. Mr. But- 
l(t's father was a Democrat but h.e has never taken a prominent part in 
iu)l)lic affairs, other interests claiming his attention. He is identified with 
the Masonic fraternity and is now serving his third term as high priest of 
Royal Arch Chapter. No. 56. He is also a Knight of Pythias and belongs 
to .-Mpha Xi Chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity, a college fraternity. 



774 HISTORY OF AI.LKN AND 

In iiiililaiy circles in Kansas he is quite proniiiient, being the captain of 
Conipaiiy Ij. 1st Keuinient of the Kansas National Guard, which was organ- 
\'/i{\ and mustered in Xovenibei' 17. ISIIil. 



JOHN KIMJAX. 

JUlJX KL\(iAN, who is successfully engaged in the hunhei- business 
in Toronto, is a native of Peterboro, Canada, his birlh having occurred 
on the 11th of March, 1S5:5. Mis father, Robert Kiugan, was a hardware 
merchant of that town, and uuirried Jane Jeffrey, daughter of the Hon. 
.■ i.drew Jeffrey, of C'oburg, Out. Both parents have died in tiieir I'eter- 
boro home since their ^on John came to Toronto. They had ten children, 
seven of whom are living. The Kingans are of Scotch lineage, the family 
liaving come to America from Glasgow, Scotland, where the father was 
bcrn. The grandfather of our subject was a school teacher there and had 
a large family of ten children. Two came to this country, Robert and 
Gordon, the lattei' becoming a wholesale grocer of Montreal, of the firm of 
Kingan & Kiidoeh. Of that family theie is one surviving sister, Mrs. 
('ul)bin. who is now living near Loudon, England, and has pas.sed the 
ninety-sixth milestone on life's journey. Robert G. Kingan, a brother of 
our subject, is a hardware merchant of Peterboro, Canada. Prank is man- 
ager of an electric light and power company of Sault Ste. Marie, Michi- 
gan. Fred is an electrician and the sisters aie now living in Peterboio, 
Canada. 

John Kingan. the eldest of the family, spent the days of his youth 
ii; the place of his nativity, acquired his education in the public schools, 
and entered upon his bu; iness career as an assistant to his father in the 
hardware store. Theie he remained for four years, after which he spent 
five j'ears in Montreal in the wholesale hardware business. On leaving 
that city he came to the United States, and for about a ytar was engaged 
in the grain business west of Chicago on the Chicago «& Iowa railroad. lie 
afterward spent two years in Chicago engaged in different occupations and 
tlien came to Kansas, arriving in this state in 1879. He first settled at 
.Mound Valley in Labette County, where he was engaged in the lumber 
atul grain business for eight years. He came to Toronto from Emporia, 
Kansas, where he was connected with the lumber trade for two years as 
r( presentative of the firm of S. A. Bi'own & Company. On ari'iving in 
this city he bought the lumber business of S. A. Bi-own. and now has a 
\'ell equipped yard and is carrying on a .successful trade, his patronage 
steadily increasing owing to liis well-directed efforts, his obliging manner 
and un(|uestioned honesty. 

In Moinid Valley, Kansas, in September, 1881, Mr. Kingan was joined 
in wedlock to Ida C. Ilobbs. a daughter of Jacob Hobbs. who was a farmer 
in that localitv. They now have but two children, Fred and Jennie. Etta, 



"WOODSON countie;;. kansas. 



ttiieii' oltlest diuig'litcr age IH, diu'd in Aj)!-!!. 1899. Fraternally, ^Ir. Ivingaii 
is comiecttd vrith the Workmen and the Select Knights. He entered upon 
his business career witli soni-e little financial aid and has worked his way 
upward through determined purpose and resolute will and has advanced 
far on the road to prosperity. 



DEWITT C. BENNETT. 

DIIWITT ('. BENNETT, who is residing upon a fai-m oi' two hundred 
and forty acres in Everett township, "Woodson County is numbered among 
the practical and progi-essivt^ agriculti;rists of the community, and is one 
of the honored veterans of 1h^ Civil war who for four and a half years 
loyally defended the starry banner — the s-ymbol of an undivided Union. 

He was born near the famous Otsego lake, in Otsego County, New 
York, on the 16th of July, 1840. His parents. Elisha B, and Hannah 
(Pierce) Bennett, were also natives of the Empire state, and the father 
there died in 1854, while the mo 'her passed away in Illinois, in 1872, 
■when sixty-eight years of age. They wei-e the parents of ten children, 
foui- of whom are yet living, Dewitt C. Bennett being the .voungest of the 
ff.mily. He resided in the state of his nativity until 185tJ. MTien at the 
Hge of sixteen he left the great old farm house on the hill side with its 
garret^' holding the uniform liis father had worn in the militia at the time 
•of the Mexican war and accoutrements his foiefathers in the war of 1812 and 
also in the Revolution and started westward to make his own way in the 
world, unaided by pecuniary advantages or influential friends. Going to Il- 
linois he was there employed by the month as a farm hand, and at the age of 
17 years he came to Kansas, locating in Linn Count.v. This was about the 
time of the trouble between Missouri and Kansas, known as the border ruf- 
han war and thus early ]\lr. Bennett became familiar with the hardships and 
horrors of war. For some time he was with John Brown and General Mont- 
gomery, aiding in defending the west side of the line. He also experienced 
man.v of the difficulties and trials of pioneer life during his nearly three 
years' .stay in the Sunflower state. 

In 1860 Mr. Bennett returned to Illinois. White Count.v. The slavery 
<(jjestion and the right of sece-sion had precipitated the countrv into Civil 
war he put aside all personal considerations, and enlisted in Company H. 
Porty-sixth Illinois Infantry, in October, 1861. He served for more than 
fiuir years and participated in the battles of Fort Donehou. Shiloh. Pitts- 
burg Landing, the seige of Vicksburg. Island No. 10. the battle of Mobile 
and many other engagements. Wlien hostilities had ceased the Forty-sixth 
Illinois was sent to follow the enemy on an expedition through Texas and 
lip the Eio Grande river, so that he was in the service for many months 
after actual hostilities had ended. In 186G he received an honorable dis- 
charge, having given four and a half years of his young manhood to his 



^-6 ■ rfr.sri)RY or ai.li;n a.-\ii 

country. His was an honorable record. He always fearlessly and faitfi- 
fully diseharyied his duties, and to such of the hoys in blue the country 
nwes a debt of gratitude whieli can never be lepaid. 

Oh being mustered out Mr. Bennett rfturned to his home and then 
spent a portion of the next two years in Wisconsin and Iowa, but in De- 
cember. 1868 «as married to Miss ^lary J. Adams, of DeKalb. Illinois. 
V.heu l:e decided to return to his first love, "beautiful sunny Kansas." 
which resolution he earried into etTeet in the springr of 1870, he located in 
l'<vere't township. AVoodson County, where he secured a homestead claim 
of eiiihty at're^, on which he resided for twent.v years, making: many im- 
provements on tlie place. He then sold the property in order to find 
bioader scope for his labors, and he and his wife purchased his present 
farm of two hundred and /orty acres, on which he ha.s a good residence, 
substantial barn and all modern equipments and accessories fonnd upon a 
nK)del farm of the new century. He also engages in raising as nnich stock 
as his farm will support, and his labors are bringing to him a richly- 
merited inc(mie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have living nine children : fieorgia A., wife of 
Fied Richards; also Eugene, Frank D., Allie. Elva. Coral. Jesse. Hazel and 
Jennie, all of whom arc still under parental roof. Mr. Beunett belongs 
to — Post, No. 145. O. A. R.. at Yates Center, and in his poli- 
tical affiliations he is a Republican, nnswer%nng in his advocacy of the 
principles of the party. Ilis army service is but an example of the loyalty 
\^•hi('h has ever characterized his entire life in its every relation, and which 
has iiiMi'i' him I'ln' of thf> v;ilii«il ri'sidi'iits of his adopted countj'. 



J. A. R(^SS. 

J. A. ROSS, one of the extensive land owners of Woodson Connty, 
liow largely engaged in the growing of hay, was born in Bureau County, 
Illinois, Febniary 18, 1855. His father, Andrew Ross, was born in Ohio, 
in 1828, and in 1842 removed to Bureau County, where he yel makes his 
home. There he married ^liss Hannah Randall, who died in 185fi, loa^'ing 
five children: Oeorge. yet a revident of Bureau (\)unty : Sarah J., wife of 
W. S. Mayhall : Margaret, wife of Milton Maston, of Iowa; Mary, wife 
of John Walter, of Bureau County: and J. A. of this review. After the 
death of his first wife the father married again, his second union being 
with Salina Ireland. Their union was blessed with three children: Frank, 
oi' lowfi. Eliza and Julia. 

ITpon the home farm in the comity of this nativity J. A. Ross spent 
the period of youth and childhood, devoting a portion of his time to the 
acf|uirement of an education in the common schools, to work upon the farm 
and to the pleasures in which boys of the period indulged, "^lien youth 
was passed he there carried on farming until 1881. when he sought a 



•\\00"i)SO>,- COT'NTrKS. KAXSA^;. 777 

'lioiiie ill Kansas, coining to "Woodson Countj'. He located on the nortli- 
"x\est quarter of section eiglit, Perrj' township, and there resided until 
1883, when he came to his present home. He now owns 720 acres 
of valuable land, larjjely meadows, devoted to the raising of hay, of 
which product he jearly gathers large crops and makes exten.sive ship- 
ments. In 1000 he began extensive improvements on his farm and now ha.s 
a commodious and attractive residence, large l)arn and other substantial 
cutbuildings for the care of hay and stock, and all of the modern accessories 
and conveniences found upon a model fann of the new century. 

On the 11th of July, 1883, Mr. Ross was joined in wedlock to Miss 
fJrace Brett, and unto them have been l^orn three childi'en : Myrtle, who 
died in infancy: Vera, who was born January 25, 188G: and Ethel, born 
T>ecember f). 1S88. The family are well known in the connnunity and 
represent the best class of farming people. Mr. R;,ss was reared in the 
faith of the Republican jwrty and T)y liis ballot has always supported its 
nicu and measiTi'CS. 



ABRAM F. DARST. 

There is ever an element of interest attaching to the liistory of a ,seli- 
ii'ade man, one wlio starts out in life empty-handed and wrests fortune 
from an adverse fate. Obstacles and difficulties are encountered, but to the 
man of resolute purpose these but call for renewed effort and serve as 
.sTei)ping stones to something higher. The life record of Mr. Darst stands in 
■exemplification of what may be accomplished in this free land of ours, 
where the man of ambition and dii'terinination is unhampered by caste or 
<?lass. He is numbered among the pioneers of Woodson Count.v, and 
for more tlian thirty years has contributed to the m.aterial advance- 
ment and substantial upbuilding of this section of the state. He is an 
honored veteian of the Civil war, and the same loyalty which he rnani- 
fcs'^ed on southern battlefields is now manifest in his faithful performance 
pf the duties of citizenship. Such rpuilities render consonant a detailed aC- 
eount of his life in this volume. 

A native of Ohio, he was born in Meigs Comity, on the fith of June, 
1839, and is of Herman lineage, the first representatives of the family in 
America having come from the Fatherland to the new world. John Darst, 
the grandfather of our subject, died in 1849, at the extreme old age of 
i''iu4y-three years. Abram Dai'st, Sr.. the father, was born in Ohio in 
1803, and died in Vinton County, that state, in 1852. He married Nancy 
Read, whose death occurred in Lake County, Indiana, in 1875. This 
vcrthy couple were the parents of ten children: Mary J., wife of Joseph 
Marshall, of Ruskin, NTebraska : Sarah A., widow of Francis Andrews and 
a resident of Iowa: Thomas L., of Wheatland. Wyoming: James S.. of 
Doniphan County. Kansas: Maria L.. who mari'ied John ;\T. Fuller, and is 



KISTOKV Oh' ALLK.S' AN'lV 

new tleceased ; Ahniiu F.. ol' llii.s review; Eli/.abetli. deceased wife of \Yii 
liaiii Buckley: Jonathan -I., wlio has also passed away: Addle A., the 
widow of I). V. Dow, anit a nsident of Woods-oii County, and .Joseph J., of 
llip sanif* count}'. 

.Mirani F. Daisl spent the fii'st sixteen years of his lil'e in the slate ot 
his nativity and then beeanie a resident of I.aUe County, rndiana. in 
IS,").'), 'riieie he leniained until his removal to Kansas, and in the niean- 
lime he had become familiar with the work of the farm throut;ii practical 
e.\peri(nce in thf (ields. When the country became involved in Civil war, 
he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union, enlistinir on the i2:?d 
of .June, IStil. as a member of Company B, Twentieth fndiaiui Infantry. 
He was mustered in at Lafa.vette. that state, and on the .Vorthern Central 
railroail proceeded with liis command from I'lttshurfr to Baltimore, and 
from there to Fort Hatteras. Xorth Carolina. The winter was passed at 
Forti'ess Monroe, and in the sj)i-in^ he witnesseil the famous naval battle 
between the Mei'rimac and the Monitor. The refrimeut afterwai-d proceeded 
t. Norfolk and joined the Army of the Potomac at White House Landin*;. 
.\ir. Darst participated in the .seven day's fiplit and then joined Tope on 
lie Rappahannock, takina; part under his command in the second battle of 
P.idl Kun. For a time he was left at Washin.L'ton on account of disability, 
and after i-ejoininir his resi'iment took jiart in the battle of Frederiekliuri;'. 
lie was also in the Cettysbur<r camjiaiun and was woutuled. bein<x shot 
through the left thii;h. Tie joined his reciment a-raiii at Fort Schuyler, 
Sew York, whi'her it had ?one to ([Uell the draft riot, and upon leaviui.' 
Ihat state the Twentieth Indiana returned to the Kappahannoek. takini: 
part in the enoasjement at Chancellorsvine .soon afterward. ISfr. Darst re- 
I'lilis'ed and received a thirty days' furlonuh. on the exi)iration of which 
time he rejoined his eonuuaud at Brandy Station, later takiuij part in the 
Kiehmond campaisrn under Ceneral tirnnt. '>n the fith of May. 1S()4. in 
the battle of the Wilderness he was shot in the riirht Ie<; below the knee, 
the ball enterintr between the two bones, where it lodged. It therefore 
had to he cut out and srangrene set iii. which nec(>ssitated Mr. Darst re- 
maiuintr in the hospital for nearly a year. It was 187:? before his wound 
ceased to diseharfre. and it still troubles him to this day. Dischartred from 
the service he returned to his home, conscious of haviuir performed his 
duty for the perpetuation of the ITnion and for the honor of the old flair 
which now floats so proiidly over every portion of the nation. 

In the yeai- following: the close of the war. on the 22d of February, 
ISfil). ]\Ir. t)arst Was united in marriasre in Lake County, Indiana, to Miss 
Funice. daughter of .Jackson and Amy (Cutright) numond. and the same 
year started with his bride for Kansas, accompanied by Henry Peters. .J. 
IT. Hale, .Jo-eph Barker and .1. "W. Duinond. together with their respective 
families. They arrived at Humboldt on the 4th of .July and secured claims 
in Fminencc township. Woodson County, on the east branch of West Buf- 
falo cvrek. Thnt siumiier all erected homes, each twelve by sixteen feet 



WOODSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. 77O 

JUid one story in lu'iglit, l)iiilt of cottoinvood and syoaiiioi'e luni])er, luaiiii- 
faetiifed at Humboldt and foi' which they paid twenty-five and thirty dol- 
lars per thousand. With characteristic enerp;y Mr. Darst began the de- 
velopment of his land and continued its cultivation until January, 1897. He 
added eighty acres to hix first tract and devoted his time to the raising 
of grain and stock, both branches of his business proving profitable so that 
in the eour.se of years he ac(iuired a handsome competence which now enables 
him to live retired, enjoying rent from the more arduous duties of business 
life. 

The home of Mi', and Mi's. Darst was blessed with two daughters, 
^lyrlle, the eldei'. is the widow of Ijawrenee 0. Heffelfinger and has two 
childnMi. Lillie and \eva. Nellie, the younger daughter, is the wife of 
S' T. White of Buffalo. Kansas, and has one child. Prank White. Al- 
though reared in the Democratic faith, for his father was a supporter of 
that party. Mr. Darst of this review has alway.s been a stalwart Ke^u})liean 
and warmly espouses the principles of the party. He belongs to Woodson 
Post, Xo. 185, O. A. R., and has frequently attended the state encamp- 
i:ients. finding pleasure in recalling the scenes of army life u])on the tented 
field or the firing line amid those who have shared in i-imilar experiencis. 
His interest in everything which affects the welfare of the people and the 
growth and develo])ment of the county is deep and abiding and as a citizen 
1 e has the res[)eet of all who have knowledge of his straightforward busi- 
uess methods and his uprightness of character. 



ERNEST STOf'KEBRAND. 

EHNEST STOCKEBRAND is numbered among the extensive land 
owners of Woodson County, and makes his home in Center township, where 
he has resided foi' forty-three consecutive yeai's. He has met the hard- 
shi]>s and trials of pioneer life in this county and aided in laying broad and 
deep the foundation for its present development and progress. He belongs 
to that class of representative r4erman-x4merican citizens, who, loyal to 
their adopted land, aid in promoting the general progress while advancing 
their individual prosperity. 

Mr. Stockebrand was born Jantuiiy 27. 1828 in Lippe, Detmold, a 
small dukedom of Westphalia, Germany, at the ancestral home, which had 
been in ])ossession of the family for about two hundred and eighty years. 
His father, Adolph Stockebrand. followed farming there and married 
Justina Meyerjohn, by whom he had eight children, namel.y : Adolph and 
August, who have passed away: Frederica, deceased wife of Adolph Beyer; 
AVilhelmina, who became the wife of William Klaas and died at Freeport, 
Illinois : Couradina mari'ied to August Toedman : Ernest, of this review; 
Tjouisa, wife of August Tjaubei', and \Villiam. 

In accoi-dance with the laws of his native land Ernest Stockebrand 



HI.>i TORS' DF AKI.KN ANIi 

imrsued his iducation. At the age of twenty-eight years he took passage 
oij a westward bound vessel that weighed anelior in the harbor of Breuieu 
and sailed for New York. He had some relatives living in Freeport, Illi- 
nois, and went to that place, bnt after a very short time he sought a home 
ill Woodson County, which offered its rich but wild lands to the .settlers 
who would register a claim therefor with the governiiient. He became 
the owner of a quarter section on section one, ("enter township, and with 
charae'eristic energy began the development of a farm. As the years pjussed 
and his financial re.sourcis increased he extended its boundaries until he 
became the owner of fifteen hundred acres, being therefore numbered among 
(he extensive land holders of Woodson County. His realty is an evidence 
oT an active business career. Continued effort, resolute will, determined 
l)urpose and careful management have enabled him to work his way steadily 
upward until he to-day stands on the plane of affluence. 

In 1860 Mr. Stockebrand was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stange. 
who became a resident of this locality in that year. Their children are 
Frnest, Charles, Julius. Louisa, wife of Gustav Weide: .Mary, wife of 
William Weide, Justina, Paulina, and Anna. IMr. Stockebrand has been 
deeply interested in politics since becoming an American citizen and is an 
earnest TJepublienn. He voted for the free state constitution, and the first 
l)olitical speech made in Woodson County was delivered by a Mr. Perry in 
hi.-i home. He has labored to promote all measures for the public good, and 
i- a man of worth in his community. 



WHJJAM STANGE. 

Through almost three decades William Stange has resided upon the 
farm which is now his home, so that he is numbered among the pioneer 
farmers of Owl Creek township. Woodson County. He was bom in the 
|)rovince <if Hanover. Germany, in IS'tO, and is a son of Christian Stange. 
The paternal grandfather was a teacher, but his son Christian became 
a carpenter and cabinet maker. Emigrating to the new world he spent his 
remaining days in the United States, his death occurring in ISHP. his inter- 
ment being in Cherry Creek cemetery in Woodson County. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Henrietta Meyer, and at her death was laid by the 
side of her husband. Their children wei'c : Henry. d( ceased ; William: 
Sophie, the wife of Paul Jaeger, of Cornwall, New York: John, deceased: 
Catherine, deceased wife of Fred Osternieyer; Mary, the wife of Ernest 
Stockebrand; Caroline, deceased Avife of Henry Dicks; Margaret, wife of 
William Tjange, of Hay Creek, Minn., and Christian, of Woodson County. 

In his youth William Stange learned the trade of carpentering and 
cabinet making xnider his father's direction, and was employed along those 
lines in Germany until 1852. when he came to the United States. He spent 
five vears in the state of New York and was largely engaged in the nianu- 



Wouji.bUN ClUN'l'IKS, KANSAS. 7 '^ I 

fact lire of biiek molds. In 1857 he left the Empire state with a capital of 
about five hundred dollars and started out to seek a home in the west. 
He spent two months in Chicago and then seeing an advertisement in the 
paper which led him to come to Kansas, he made his way to Woodson 
County with his brother Henry, locating first on Cherry creek, where 
he secured a preemption claim. He has since remained a permanent resi- 
dent of Woodson County, and in 1872 he took up his abode on -section six- 
tten. township twenty-five, range sixteen, where he has since made his home. 
In his labors he has won prosperity and is now the owner of four hundrd 
acres of valuable land in a bod.y, all under a high state of cultivation and 
Mtll improved buildings, fences and well tilled fields are all unmistak- 
able evidence of the enterprise and thrift of the owner, whose imflagging 
industry had enabled him to gain a place among the men of affluence in 
the county. 

On the 12th of June, 1868. in Woodson County, Mr. Stange was united in 
marriage to Miss Augusta Pribbernow, a daughter of Christian Pribber- 
now. who settled in Owl Creek township in 1867, coming to this country 
from Prussia. His wife was in her maidenhood, Annie S. Busz, and like 
her hu.sband she has passed awaj'. In their family were seven children, six 
of whom are yet living. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mi-s. 
Stange: William C. and Henry Carl, both of whom are residents of 
Woodson County. 

Mr. Stange ca.st his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 
1860 and remained a supporter of the party until 1900, when he left its 
ranks owing to the fact that he could not endorse the expansionist policy 
of the present administration. He and his family are members of the 
Evangelical church. His hope of bettering his financial condition in the 
west has been more than realized for here he has not only found a good 
hi-me, but has gained a very desirable competence and has won many warm 
friends among the class of people who have regard for uprightness and 
I'.onor. 



DAVID T. SHOTTS. 

Almost a quarter of a century has passed since David T. Shotts took 
iij) his abode in Owl Creek township, Woodson Countj', since which time he 
has carried on farming in this portion of the state and is classed among 
the euterprisin.g practical and wide-awake agriculturists. He is a native 
of Chillicothe. Ross County, Ohio, born January 2, 1843, and belongs to an 
old Pennsjdvania family. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Shotts, was 
of German lineage and was born in the Keystone state where he married a 
Miss Toops. He subsequently removed to Ohio, following farming in Ross 
County until his death. In his political views he was a Democrat. He 
\^•as the father of eight children, three of whom are yet living. To his 



782 IIISTOkV OK AI.I.KN AND 

family heloii'-i.'d Daniel Shotts, ihe father of our .subject, who was also a 
r.htivi' of Ross C'(niiUy. (Ihio. where he spent his entire life, passing away 
in lS4!t. He married Phoehe Bishop, who also died in Ihe "Ids. They were 
the parents of fonr ehddren : Rnfns, of Fayette. Connty, Ohio: David F. : 
.Jacol), of Chamiiaitin ("onnty, IHinois. and Peter, who is also liviiig in that 
state. 

Before he was ten years of age 'Sir. Shott.s of this review went to live 
with his paternal grandfather and in his youth he procured a connnon school 
edneation. lie assisted in the cultivation of his gi-andfather's farm until 
the breaking out of the Civil war. when feeling that his country needed his 
: erviees lie joined Company A. Eighteenth Ohio Infantry. July 21. 1861. 
The regiment was eonnuanded by Colonel Stanley, and was attached to 
the Second Biigade. Second Division of the Fmirteen Army Corps. He 
first met the Kebels at Bowling Green. Kentucky, and the first regular 
engagement in which he pai-tieipated was at Stone river. He afterward 
took ])art in the battles of Chickamauga. Nashville and Chattanooga, after 
which the i-egiment wen to Augusta, (ieorgia. where Mr. Shotts was dis- 
charged, lie entered the s(>rvice as a pi-ivate but wlien mus'ered out held 
the rank of sei-geant. 

Mr. Shotts then returned to his native county, and the following year. 

1865, reniOA'ed to Champaign County. Illinois, where he remained for thir- 
teen years, following the occupation of farming. On the expiration of 
that period he came to Kansas and has since beeir a resident of ^Voodson. 
County. He located on section twenty-seven, township twenty-five, range 
sixteen. He had visited the state the previous year and in February. 
1878. took up his pei'maiient abode here, settling on the farm he has since 
made his home. Here he owns and operates one hnndi'ed and sixty acres 
of land, and in addition h;is eighty acres on section twenty-one. Owl Creek 
township. 

While residing in Champaign County. Illinois. Mr. Shotts was united 
ill marriage to Mi^s Rebecca Bell, the wedding being celebrated on the 
ITth of .Vugust. 1871. Her pai'ents were Thomas and Berilla (McAllister) 
Bell, who removed to the Prairie state from AVarren County. Indiana, in 

1866. Her father was born in Pike County, Ohio, and died in Champaign 
County, Illinois in 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow 
still resides in that county, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Shotts 
is their eldest child, and the other members of the family are : Charles, of 
Champaign County ; Lavina. wife of Jesse Stout, of the .same county ; Oliver. 
Sanniel and Frank, all of Champaign County. Uiito Mr. and Mi's. Shotts 
have been born six children, namely: Carrie, wife of Theodore Bayer; 
Samuel, Lavina. Clinton. Eugene and Ada. who are still with their pai'ents. 
lite family circle yet remaining unbroken by the hand of death. 

Although reared in the Democratic faith by his grandfather. ^Ir. 
Shotts cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since 
been an advocate of the Republican party. He has never been an active 



^\-nrrnsoN' cocN'TtHS. Kansas. 78'3 

"()olitifal woikor. liowi'vei-. for liis fai-iu labors liave t'liJIy oceupiutl his at- 
tention and providiner for his family through agripultural pursuits lias 
bten a matter of greater- interest and importance to liim than the honors 
of public offic*'. He has made his farm to bloom and blossom as the rose, 
adding substantial buildings, the latest improved machinei-y and modern 
aeeessories. whih' iji his fields the work of euttivatiou has brought forth rich 
fruits. 



STANFOR.D EAGLE. 

STxVNPORD EA(iLK, who owns and operates a good farm of one 
hundred and twenty acres of land in Belmont township, is a native son of 
Woodson County and a representative of one of its pioneer families. His 
f.ither. Thomas J. Eagle, east in his lot with the early settlers here in 1869. 
He was born in Wayne County. Ohio, in 1843 and was a son of John 
Eagle and a hrother of Worth Eagle, of Woodson County. Thomas J. 
Eagle was a young man wlien the Civil war was inaugurated and with pa- 
triotic spirit he responded to the president's call for aid, enlisting in a 
regiment of Ohio volunteers. He was afterward transferred to another 
regiment and served as a private until the cessation of hostilities and the 
declaration of peace, the Stars and Stripes having been victoriously planted 
in the capital of the southern Confederacy. In the fall of 1869, Mr. Eagle 
c.Tme to Woodson County and settled in Eminence township, where he se- 
cured a tract of wild land which he improved, transforming it into a very 
valuable farm, supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences such 
as are found upon the model farms of the twentieth cent\;ry. In 1896, 
however, he put aside agricultural pureuits and removed to Topeka, Kansas, 
v.-here he is now residing, filling the position of .'•ecretary and treasurer of 
Ihe Adventist church. He married Rebecca Jane Kahl, a sister of Samiiel 
Kahl. of Woodson County, and by this union were born five children, as 
follows: Stanford, of Ihis review: Oliver, of Wilson County, Kansas; 
Arthur, who is living in Neosho County, this state: Daisy, wife of Walter 
•Jefferson, and Fay. who is in Union college, at College View, Nebraska. 

Standford Eagle was born in Wayne County, Ohio. May 29, 1867, 
and was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Woodson 
County, where he was reared amid the scenes of rural life, bearing his 
*hare in the work of the farm as he became old enough to handle the plow 
and manage the oihei- implements of agriculture. His preliminary educa- 
tion, accpiired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course in the 
Central Business College, of Sedalia. ..Missouri, after which he began farm- 
ing. For some time he rented and operated his father's land and thereby 
he acquired the capital with which to purchase his present farm, of which 
he became the owner in 1900, buying the property of Jacob Strock. The 
jlace comprised one hundred and twenty acres of land on the southwest 



,:^ iiiSlOKV 111' Al.l.l-.S A.\lV 

((liarler of settinn tweuty-seveu. towiisliip twenty-six, rjiiiue lil'teou and is 
a nu>nunR'iit to the enterprise ancl labors of tlio owner wlio ac(iuireil it 
tliron^h his own eft'ortr. 

Jlr. Eagle was united in marriage, in Yates Center, December 11, 1893, 
to Sadie, a dauglitei- of (!eo. Hill, one of the eai'ly settlers of Woodson 
County, and unto them have been born two children. Kyle and Avice. Long' 
residents of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Eagle have a wide acquaintance and 
a hirge circle of friends among the better class of peojjle. In his political 
prel'erencis he is a Republican, his views Deing in harmony with the politi- 
eal faith of the family. Mr. Eagle has witnessed nmch of the growtli and 
progress of this portion of the state through thirty-two years' residence 
lure, and is .iustlj' acenunted one of the worthy early settlers ot Woodson 
Countv. 



JEFFERSON HUFF. 

On the roll of successful farmers and stock raisers in Wood.son County 
.11 Hears the name of JelTerson ITutf, whore agricultural interests are ex- 
tmsive and profitaole. His life history began in Perry County. Indiana, 
•n the 23d of July. 1838. His father, William Huff, was a native of 
Kentuck.v, and in early life learned the cooper's trade. Tie married Miss 
Jennie Taylor, also a native of the Blue <>rass state, and about 1830 he 
removed to Indiana, where he made his home until 1839 and then went 
tc Arkansas. His death there occurred February 7. 1841. when he was 
forty-seven years of age. His wife survived him until 1867 when she, too, 
departed this life, being then fifty-seven yeais of age. They were the par- 
ents of two children, hut our subject is nmv the only sur\ivor of the 
fondly. 

Jefferson HufT was ouly a .year old when taken by his parents to Ar- 
kansas where he remained until after the father's death when the mother 
returned with him to Illinois, locating in Richland County where she re- 
mained for eleven years. In 1852 she went with her sou to Perry County. 
Indiana. She gave him a good common school education, and he remained 
with her until his mariiage when he established a home of his own and 
Ids mother then lived with him until her death. They were never sep- 
arated until she was called to the home beyond. 

It was on the 3d of ]\Iay. 1860. that Mr. HufT was united in marriage 
to Miss ]\fary E. Howard, a native of Du Bois County. Indiana. No- 
vember 9th. 1881, he reached Woodson County, Kansas, settling in the 
eastern part of the county, where he remained tw:o yeiirs. He then pur- 
chased two hundred and forty acres of raw laiul in Toronto township, lo- 
c.ited thereon and has developed one of the best farms in the county. 
There is a fine grove of native forest trees surrounding his residence and 
biirns. presenting a most beautiful appearance. His hedge fences are cut 



"K''l>ODS<)N Cf)r.\"rTKS. K.\"N:.S.\S. YfTj 

ac.w iind aiu always well tiiinined and the farm lias vviivy indication tif 
flirift, neatness and comfort. It comprises five hundred and sixty acres of 
rich land, and in addition to tlie sale of his grain crops Mr. Tluff annually 
places on the market hay which brings him a return of about five hundred 
'{iollars. He also handles from fifty to on« hundred head of cattle annually, 
•and in the various departments of his farm work is meeting with very 
gratifying pros|)eri1y. 

The home of Mi', and Mrs. ITutT has been blessed with nine children, 
namely: (George Monroe. Elizabeth Adeline. Andrew Julius, Charles Wm., 
Cettie Loretta, Mai-garet Kosetta. Mary Louisa, Ellen Ann, and Katie Lee. 
Andrew J. was elected to the office of district clerk in 1896 and fierved 
ill that office for four years. Mr. ITuiT has filled the position of treasurer 
of Toronto township, and is recognized as a wide-awake progi-essive and 
piiblic-^piri*ed citizen. He belongs to Woooson lodge. No. 121. P. & A. M.. 
ajid the warm regard of his biethren of the fraternity is extended liim, while 
in all lire's relations be is esteemed foi- his genuine woi'tb. 



FRED A. DUMOND. 

One of the native sons of Woodson County, who has been an eye wit- 
ness of the growth and progress of this section of the state from an eai'ly 
period in its development is Pred A. Dumond. i\, progressive farmer of 
"Eminence town.ship. He was born on the family homestead, November 26. 
1872, and is a son of John W. and Adaline (Darst) Dumond, pioneer 
settlei's of the. community. The father was born in Seneca County. Ohio, 
in 1838. and was a son of Jackson Dumond. He came to Woodson County 
at the beginning of the '70s, locating in Eminence township, where he 
secured a claim. With characteristic energy he began its development and 
•continued its cultivation until his death, which occurred October 24, 1873. 

John W. Dinnond was married in Lake County. Indiana, to Miss Ada- 
line Darst, who was born in Beuton County. Ohio. December 7, 1846. a 
daughter of Abraham Dar>t. By this marriage three sons were born — 
Frank. Edward and Fred A. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. 
Dumond. on Christmas day of 1874. gave her hand in marriage to Daniel V. 
Dow. who was born in Addison County. Vermont, in 1832. and died in 
Woodson County. Kansas, in July. 1885. When a young man he left Ver- 
mont and started in a j-outhwesterly direction. For a few years he resided in 
Texas, whence he was forced to flee at the outbreak of the war of the Re- 
hdlion on account of his sympathy with the North. He made his way to 
-the Union lines and enlisted in the First Arkansas Infantry, but was soon 
transferred to the hospital corps as hospital steward, serving in that de- 
partment until honorably di?-charged at the close of the war. 

Mr. Dow then returned to Vermont but had been in the west too long 
to remain satisfied with the slower and more conservative methods of the 



....-TvKV . .-' .l,LEN A.Vn 

<»r.st and aceoniiuiily he eame to Kansas. s«reuring & claim in towTiship 
t.vfnty-five, •••>■■_• '^•' -n. in Woodson County. He became one of the- 
veil known a ideuts of the county and was a sueeessf ul farmer. 

lu an early >; . .1 the office of county sur\"eyor and laid out the 

towTi of Toronto. ais»j did much of the work of that character in the vicinity 
••f >r^ensho Falls. He served as trustee of his township aud alwa>-s save a 
loyal and unfaltering support to the principhs of the Republican partj*. in 
which he most firmly believed. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Dow were born two 
children. Susie A., wife of F^^rest Ruehlen. by whom she has one child. 
Krnest: and F.stella C. who is with her mo- her. When Mrs. Dow came to 
Woodson County, in 186t>, Indians wtre still in the neighborhood, but 
o'luniittetl no depretlation aud were usually friendly to the settlers. They 
<*i.iuj>eil anions the farms and roamed to and fro over the eomitry on visits 
;■> nei«ihborin!* tribes. 

Freil A. Duniond, who^ name introduces this review, has spent his 
entire life in Woodson County. He was reared upon the home farm for 
though his fa'her died during his early infancy he remained with his 
step-father and was trained to the practical work of the fields and meadows 
through the ^nmme~ months while in the winter season he pursued his edu- 
•:;ition in the district schools. Wl:en he began business on his own account 
>t was along the line 'o which he had been reared and he is now successfully 
farming on section twelve, township twenty-sis. range fifteen, where he 
owns and o|'H?rates two hundred acres of valuable land, the greater part of 
which is under a high state of cultivation. He is also engaged in dealing in 
hay. which is a gi>id source of revenue and largely increases his financial 
j-es«iurces. 

On the 31st of December, 1899, ilr, Dnmond was nnited in marriage 
•.o Miss .\lice, daughter of Samuel Kahl. one of the early s»'ttlers of Emi- 
nt-ni'e *ownship, and they have now a little daushter. Fsther ifay, who 
is *■ '■ ■ ■ .] light of •' ' - ' 'd. Mr. aud ^frs. Dumoud have many 
r- - - native c»">- s justly classed amonu the progre-sive 



CHAFXCY W. LANKTON'. 

The subject of this review is a self-made man who without any extra- 
o'dinarj- family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life has 
bjittled earnestly and energ«*tically. and by indomitable courage and in- 
tegrity has achieved Ixiih character and fortune. By sheer force of wiD and 
untirinc effort he has worked his way upward and is numbered among the 
prac-ioal farmers of Everett township, Woodson County, 

Mr. Ij»nkton was bom in .\llegany County. New York, April 27. IS^M, 
his parents being Joel and Sarah ( Evans "i Tjinkton. The father was bom 
in the Empire state in 1799 and became a local minister in the Methodist 



WOODSON COl'XTIES, KANSAS. 7S7 

Ei)iseopal church, pi-eaehiiitr for many years, lie wa.s also a earpunler by 
trade ami while not in the i)ulpit \voil<ed at the bench. In 18:39 he re- 
moved to Morgan County, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days, his 
death occurring- in 1855, when he was fifty-tive years of age. His wife 
passed away many years beroi'e. being called to her final rest in 18-11. when 
thirty-six years of age. 

Chauncy Lanktou, their sixth child, was a little lad of five summers 
v.hen his parents went to Illinois. Schools in the west were very primitive at 
that time and his educational privileges were necessarily limited. At an 
early age he began work at the carpenter's trade under the direction of 
his father and followed that pursuit throughout a long period. He was 
married Iti Illinois and there remained until 187!) when with his family, he 
came to Kansas, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land two 
miles north and one mile west of the present site of Vernon, in the fall of 
that year. The improvements on the place were meager, but with char- 
acteristic energy he began the development of his farm and has since 
ejected a good residence and a huge barn, has planted a fine orchard and 
has everything in good condition, the place being particularly neat in ap- 
jieai-anee. The.v did not have three hundred dollars when they came here, 
and thi-ough their energetic efforts they have advanced until they are now 
the possessors of a handsome comjietence, sufficient to provide them with all 
tl;e necessaries and many of the luxui'ies of life. 

In 1857 ^Ir. Tjankton was united in mai'riage to Miss Rhoda Rhea, who 
was born in Illinois, while her paients were natives of Kentuck.y, removing 
to the former state at an early day. Mr, and Mrs. Lankton became the 
p<.ren*s of three children.- Fletcher H., who is a printer by trade and is 
now foreman of the Daily Drovers Telegram office, in Kansas City, Missouri ; 
Adda L.. wife of C. B. Norton, a resident farmer of Everett township, and 
T.ydia, wife of R. E. Dickinson, now the owner and proprietor of a harness 
si o|) in Leroy. Kansas. The family are well known, and their friends and 
aii|uaiiitances in ^Vood^on (\>unty are many. Mr. Lankton is independent 
in. his political views, voting for the men whom he thinks best qualified for 
office without regard to the party affiliation of candidates. Such is the life 
record of one of the enterprising agriculturists of "Woodson County, whose 
place in business cii-cles is the reward of his own honorable labors. 



CLAUS PETERS. 

CLAUS I'ETEKS has fully tested the opportunities which America 
offers to her citizens for he came to this country empty-handed and by dili- 
gence and enterprise has risen to a position among the leading, influential 
aiid successftd farmers of AVoodson County, his home being on section 
f-iurteen. Owl Creek township. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- 
manv. June o. 1833. and is a son of Henrv Peters, a farmer, whose ancestors 



78S HISTOkV OF ALI.KN AND 

for many jieneiatioiis had been farming people of Schleswig-Holstein. Tie 
wedded Mary Rogers and both parents spent their entii'e lives in the father- 
liind. Their children were: George, wlio died in the old country; John, 
who also died in Germany; Clau.s. and Christiana, who when last heard 
fj-oni was living in the fatherland. 

In early life Clans Peteis learned the carpenter's trade and served 
for a year and a quarter in the Danish army. In 1866 he determined to 
come to America, hoping thereby to improve his financial condition. Ac- 
cordingly, in S.eplember of that year, he took ship at Hamburg for New 
^ ork and from the coast proceeded westward to Leavenworth. Kansas. He 
v.as a poor nuchanic looking for a home and he put up a little frame house, 
twelve by fourteen feet, after which he worked by the day in ordpr to get the 
funds neeei-sary to carry on the work of development upon the claim which 
he had entered. The early years of laborious effort, however, were the 
forerunner of a more prosperous period. On the 7th of Septeinber, 1867. 
Mr. Peters was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Kose. who was born in 
Rchleswig-TIolsitein. She died November 18. 189!1. The children of this 
u'arriage were; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years; Maggie, 
wife of August Goedeke. of Oklahoma, and Henry, born September 7. 1875. 

In connection with general farming Mr. Peters and his son have 
Itandled cattle and hogs and have found this a profitable industry. They now 
own four hundred and five acres of valuable land on sections, fourteen, 
nineteen and twenty- three, and the farm is well improved with all modern 
accessories and with substantial buildings. 

Mr. Peters takes little part in campaitrn or political work of any de- 
scription aside from easting his vote for the men and measures of the Re- 
publican party. In religious belief he is a Lutheran and has served as 
one of the officers of the church. He has also rendered financial aid to the 
building of St. Paul's Lutheran church on Owl creek, and has done much 
for the upbuilding of the church and the spread of Christian truths as 
taught by that denomination. Tlis lif(> has indeed been a busy, useful and 
honorable one. and this record is such a one as to justify the confidence 
and esteem in which he is held by friends and neighbors. 



JOSEPH T. ALLEN. 

From the age of sixteen years Joseph J. Allen has depended upon his 
own resources for a livelihood, and that to-day he is numbered among the 
v.ell-to-do agriculturists of Woodson County is due to his energ>'. careful 
management and untiring labor. He was born in Venango County. Penn- 
svlvania. upon a farm in Irwin township, his natal day being July :^1. 1847. 
The family is of Scotch lineage and was founded on American soil by James 
Allen, the grandfather of our subject, who came from the land of hills and 
heather to the new world and spent the remainder of his life upon a farm 



wuunsox curxTiES, Kansas. 789 

ill Veuango County, Pennsylvania. He was a soldiei' of the Anierieau Revo- 
lution, loj'ally aiding the colonies in the struggle for independence until the 
British army was driven fronj the land. He reared a family of four sons 
and three daiaghters, as follows : Robert ; Joseph A. ; Mary, the wife of 
Patrick Davidson : Nancy, wife of Jesse Carroll ; Margaret, the wife of 
.James Osborn ; William and James. 

Of this family William Allen was the father of our subject. Also a 
native of Venango County, Pennsylvania, he was born in 1813 and spent 
his entire life in that locality. He married Miss Martha 8imcox, also a 
native of the Keystone state. Her father was a farmer by oecuijation and 
was numbered among the heroes of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Allen 
pas:sed away in 1862. but his widow is still living at the venerable age of 
eighty-four years, her home being still in Venango County. Pennsylvania. 
' This worthy couple wei'e the parents of four children : Mary, the wife of 
J. A. Glen, a resident of the old home county in Pennsylvania; James P., 
who is also living in the same county; Ellen A., wife of Kerr Graham, de- 
ceased, and a resident of Cripple Ci'cek, Colorado, and Joseph J. 

In taking up the personal history of Joseph J. Allen we present to 
our readers the life record of one who owes advancement entirely to his own 
well directed efforts. He was reared in Venango County amid the oil fields 
o*^ Pennsylvania, and in the schools near his home acquired his education, 
not yet sixteen years of age when he began to earn his livelihood by hoeing 
corn and through many years his career has been one of activity in the 
busy places of life. For ten years he was employed in the oil country and 
then turned his attention to merchandising which he followed for twelve 
years in Mechaniscsvlle, Pennsylvania, meeting with gratifying success in 
the undertaking. Favorable reports of Kansas and its opportimities caused 
him to leave the east and seek a home in the Sunflower state, so that in 
18-— he located on section live. Center township, Woodson County, owning 
the northern half of the section. His farming interests have been well 
eonducttd and the arable land, highly cultivated, has j'ielded to him an 
e> cellent return for his labor. 

On the 1st of June, 1876, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss 
Lizzie A., daughter of Abram Hunsberger. Her father was born in 
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and now resides in Barkeyville. His 
life has been devoted to mercantile bu.siness. He married Miss Catherine 
Barkey. and unto them were born nine children, namely: Lizzie A.; Mary, 
who died in childhood; Nancy, the wife of F. B. Sterrett. of Venango 
County, Pennsylvania ; Sarah J., wife of L. Loucks, of Westmoreland 
County, Pennsylvania ; Henrietta, wife of E. Loucks of Allegheny County, 
Pennsylvania : William H. ; Charles Forney, of Venango County; Maggie 
M.. wife of Frank Stowe, of Tennessee, and Mrs. Allen. Unto our sub- 
ject and his wife have been born two children, Ollie M.. wife of Drum- 
mond S. Bell, of Woodson County, and Florence E.. who died at the age of 
I en vears. 



7913 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXn 

III his political views .Mr. Alleu is a Republican and takes an active 
interest in local polities. For six years he has served as clerk of the 
board of (.'enter township, and his long continuation in the office stands in 
Hiiiuistakable evidence of his fidelity to duty. He belonsis to the Methodist 
Episcopal church and is a representative of that class of citizens who sup- 
port all proL'ressive nioasuns for the general stxid and thus promote the 

uoif;,,.. ,,f tl,.. ..T.fll.- ...iMM.nmif,- 



JOHN PRINGLE. 

It is always of interest to review the history of a successful man. It is 
the nature of man to rejoice in victory, and he who has conquered fate and 
fortune may well be proud of the fact. John Priugle is now one of the 
well known and well-to-do agriculturists of AYoodson Countj% his home 
being in Eminence township, but when he came to the county he was in 
limited circumstances and all that he has since achieved is attributable 
to his own etforts. A native of Scotland he was boin in Dairy, Ayrshire. 
May 26, 1844, a son of Andrew Pringle. a farmer, whose ancestor had 
resided in the county of Ayr through many generations and had there 
bten interested in the tilling of the soil. On the maternal side Mr. Pringle 
IS a repre; entative of the well known Parker family of Scotland. The 
parents of our subject had four children who I'eaehed mature years, namely : 
James, John. Robert and Andiew. The last named is now deceased, and 
Ji.mts is a resident of Scotland, while Robert is living in Arizona. 

John Pringle was reared in the land of hills and heather and ac- 
ijuired a common school education. At the age of twenty-five years he bade 
adieu to home, friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic to the 
United States. His brothers. Robert and Andrew, had pre\'iously come to 
the new world, the former being located in Kan.sas. while the latter was a 
resident of Texas. In 1871 John Pringle arrived in Woodson County and 
secured a claim in Perry township on section eight, township twenty-six. 
range -sixteen. He was then in limited financial circumstances, but he found 
that success rewarded earnest and persistent effort. He possessed good 
health, a strong constitiition and a laudable ambition, and with these to 
aid him in the place of capital he began life in Kansas. From the beginning 
sv ceess has attended his etTorts. His home is now on the southwestern 
(pinrier of section twenty-four. Eminence township, and in addition to this 
he owns land on section twenty-five, of the same township, and eleven hun- 
dred and twenty acres in Belmont township. For ten years he was identi- 
fied with the stock raising interests of Gila County. Arizona, where lie 
still hcis interests. 

Ip "NVoodson County, in November. ISS'2. Mr. Pringle wa? united in mar- 
riage to Miss Emma Tjaundere, a daughter of "Wm. Launders, who was 
lorn in Illinois. Their marriasc n..s been blessed \vith the followinc child- 



■«'Ot)I>S(.>"N CCM'XTrKS. K.VNSAS. 791 

"ri-ii : lOli/.abetli, .J;iiiei, Kiiiiiui. Aiidivw. iMargaret, l-iobcna. Win. and James. 
Mr. Priiigle is not actively interested in jiolitics. piet'erring to give his 
time and attention to his business affairs. His resolution and his detei"- 

mnied purpose, combined wtb unflagging industry, have formed the rounds 

H)f the ladder on which he has climbed to prosperit}'. His many admirable 
((ua'ifies. his genial manner and liis sterling worth have also made him 
popular, and few citizens of the coiinnunit\' have more friends than John 

Trifcle. 



Al\rOS WRIGHT. 

The name of Amos VVriglit is inseparably connected with the business 
li'story of Neosho Palls for he is a very prominent tflf^m' in the industrial 
Mud commereial activity of the city, and his life history cannot fail to prove 
')!■ interest as he is numbered arno.jg the class of honored self-mack^ men 
who owe their prosperity and advancement entirely to their own efforts 
His record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouraement to 
others showing, as it does, what may be accomplished through determined 
tffort. resolute will and round business .iuclgment. 

?.Ir. Wright was born on the 29th. of March. 1852, in Illinois, and is a 
son of Ajuos and Sarah Wriv'Iit. The fatnor died during the early boyhood 
o' our subject, who was the ninth in a family of eleven children. He re- 
mained at home with his mother and assisted in providing for her support 
as well as his own. They lived upon a farm, where the children Mere 
reared, and owing to the limited family finances which necesi-itated his re- 
maining upon the farm, Amos Wright of this review had b\it limited school 
privileges. In 1869 he became a resident of Kansas, locating near lola. in 
Allen Cotuify. His mother died December 2fi. 1899. at the age of eighty- 
height years. 

On the 1st. of July. 1875, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss 
^lary C. Roush. a native of Indiana, and they began their domestic life 
upon a rented farm, our subject continuing to operate rented land until 
1890. when with capital acquired through his industry and economy he 
■purchased one hundred and twenty acres. In 1895, however, he sold that 
property and came to Neosho Falls, where he built a sawmill and began the 
manufacture of lumber. Subsequently he established a cider mill and mo- 
lasses factory, both of which he still operates, doing thei'ein a business 
amounfina: fo six thousand dollars annually , In July. 1900, he established 
Ills lumber yard with a stock worth eight thousand dollars, and now has one 
r)f the best equipped yards in Woodson County, having large sheds and a 
hue ofifice and all modern accessories for carrying on the enterprise. During 
the fii'st six months bis sales amounted to eight thousand dollars and his pat- 
ronage is constantly increasing. Mr. Wright is certainly a man of very re- 
sourceful business abilitv. foi- in addition to the concei-ns already mentioned 



t;i.^ . ...uHN aSO 

lulucting a large fai'iii. raisiug hogs, cattle, emu. wht-at aud oats on; 
;i:i extensive scale. 

Uuto Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born three children, all residents 
•il X«osho Falh;: Kobert A.: Sarah E., wile of Frank L. Best, and William 
II. The sons are also married. The members of the family are well known 
and highly esteeuud. In his political afiiliations il;-. Wright has always been 
a nejiubliean and has served as township clerk, but the houore aud emolu- 
ments of office have had little attraction for him. He is identified ^vith a 
number of civic societies, including the Masonic, the Odd Fellows, the 
Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. Fie certainly deserves great credit for what he- 
has accomplished, and his worth a-s a man and citizen are widely askaowl- 
<>(ige. 



FRANK IIAYb'. 

One of the prominetit citizens of Woodson County, numbered among 
the later arrivals, but now actively connected with agricultural interests, is 
Frank Haj-s. who owns and operates more than five hundred acres of land. 
He is a native of Macon County. Illinois, born September 19. 1856. being 
the only son of John and Hannah ( Parker) Hays. His father was born in 
Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio, later to Indiana, and finally to 
Alacon County. Illinois, where he took up his abode about 1S40. He was 
twice married and the children by the first union are : Ebenezer. of Jfadi- 
son County. Iowa : Thomas, also of the same cininty ; Cynthia, wife of Isaac 
Skillnian of Oreson. aud four who passed away. After the death of his 
first wife the father married Hannah Parker, who is still living in Macon 
County. Illinois. By her fii-st marriage to Hezekiah Hays, a brother of 
her seeond hu^band. she had three sons: Vincent T.. of Macon County. Illi- 
iK.is; He.-ekiah. who is living in the same loci'.Hty. and James F.. of Madison 
( ounty, Iowa. 

Throughout his life Frank Hays has resided upon a farm. He ac- 
(juired a common-> chool education and was well trained in the work of 
plowing, planting and harves'ing. On the l^th. of January. 1876. he was 
united in marriage to Julia, daughter of .\lexander Brett .and a sister of 
(^scar C. Brett, of Humboldt. Kansas. They now have four living children : 
Iva. wife of Asa Nourse. of Woodson Countj- : Kay. Ira and Irl. Roy. the 
third child, died at the age of one year. 

On the 17th. of March. 1880. Mr. Hays disposed of his interests in 
riinois.. and severing the connections which bound him to bis old home came 
to Woodson County, where he first located on the old D. P. Burning farm, 
on the county line. He afterward purchased a tract of one hundred and 
s^xty acres on section three. Perry town-hip. becoming the owner in 188:? 
,nnd takinsr up his abode there in IS^'' fT. li.iv <iiu'.- added to the ori>_'inal 



)X i.or.\ 111.; 



79.> 



tmet until ho now owns i\\\' hundred ;ind seventj- neres. control I in.si' the en- 
'■tire amount Iniiiself. He is a man of excellent business ability and execu- 
tive force, fully capable of nianajiing his extensive propertj^ interests. He 
votes with the Deinoeraey, but takes no active part in polities as his time 
is oecnpied with his duties as a farmer and stock-raiser. He has practically 
made all that he now poss^esse;; since coming to Kansas, a fact which indi- 
^cates that he has led a A^ry busy, acMve and useful career, and proving 
the potency of energy and dilijiiuce in achieving' success. 



SAMUEL KAHL. 

S^\J\lDEL KAHL is the owner of one of the finest farms of Woodson 
County, and the place is a monument to his enterpri.se, thrift and indomi- 
table perseverance. It is located on section thirty-one. Eminence town- 
-ship, where stands a commodious and modern residence, in the rear of which 
.are seen substantial barns and outbuildings that in turn are surrounded 
with well tilled fields. 

Mr. Kahl was born in Franklin County, Penn.sylvania, April 9, 1844, 
•and is a son of \A^illiam Kahl and a grandson of Jacob Kahl, who was born 
ill the latter part of the seventeenth century and was a soldier in the war 
of 18] 3. His children were Adam, John. Peter and the father of our snb- 
ieet. together with two daughters, Rebecca and Hannah. William Kahl 
was a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, whence in 1852 he removed 
to Ohio, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. He became one 
<)!' the well known and prominent citizens and successful farmers of Ash- 
land County, that s^ale. Tn early life he supported the Whig party and on 
its dissoU^tion became a Republican, but was never an office seeker. He 
married Sarah Bittinger. a daughter of Jacob Bittinger, a blacksmith and 
farmer, wlio was also numbered among the defenders of his country in the 
war of 1812. Mrs. Kahl passed away in 1889. Her children were Samuel ; 
Rebecca, wife of T. J. Eagle, of Topeka, Kansas; Sarah, wife of John 
Springer, of Ashland County, and Christiana, wife of Emanuel Treaee. of 
Ashland County. Ohio, also Jacob Kahl, of Ashland County, Ohio. 

The educational privileges granted to Samuel Kahl of this review wei'e 
"rather meager. For some time before he attained his majority he earned his 
own living, working by the month as farm hand in Ohio. In ISfiT he mar- 
ried, Rebecca Baron, a daughter of Jacob Baron, of Ohio, and in April. 
1869, they came by rail to Woodson County, unloading their goods at Neo- 
i?lio Falls. Soon afterward Mr. Kahl selected the farm upon which he has 
made his home continuously since, on section thirty-one. township twenty- 
six, range sixteen, of the Osage ci'eek lands. There have been times since 
v.-hen drouth, flood and pestilence scourged the land and it seemed that he 
would have to give up the attempt to make a home here, but he had no money 
M'ith Avhieh to pay the expenses of a return journe.v to his old home, and 



794 



Kiiiiiiiiouiii^ all his fniiiajie and fortilude to meet the eoiiditidiis, he labovei^ 
on and in course of time the farm yielded abundantly. He now yearly harv- 
I's's large crops and also adds materially to his income by the sale of cattle, 
for thiough a number of years he has been engaged in raising, feeding and 
shipping stock and has considerable loc^il proiniuence, in this direction. He 
keeps on hand high grades of cattle and has done much to improve the 
stock I'aistd in the county, his labors thus proving of great practical bene- 
fit for he who introduces a better grade of cattle thereby adds to their 
n.arket value and thus indirecth' promotes the general prosperity. His 
ranch now c(unprises five hundrid and forty acres and he persoually superin- 
tends the operation and conduct of his farm, which in all its departments 
iiidica'es the careful ;upervision of a jjrogressive owner. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kahl has been blessed ^\^th three children: 
Ida M.. wife of Frank Parsons: Alice, wife of P'led Duniond. of Woodson 
County, and Inez, at home. Mr. Kahl is one of the leading advocates of the 
Kepublican party in this locality, having staunchly upheld its principles and 
policy since casting his first presidential vote for IT. S. Grant in 1868. He 
manifested his loyalty as a citizen of the Union at the time of the Civil war. 
enlisting ill 18fi4 as a ineinher of the Ninety-.sixth Ohio volunteers, and 
when that regiment was consolidated with tlie One Hundred and Sixty- 
third regiment of Ohio, his enlistment was construed as being \\itli the 
hitter. The command did duty at Fe'eisburg and Kiehmond and aided in 
the capture and destruction of the \\ eldon Railroad. After six months' 
service he was honorably discharged. He has always been as true and 
loyal to his duties of citizenship in times of peace as when he followed 
the :--tarry banner of the nation through the south. His forceful indivi- 
duality has left its impress for good upon Woodson County, and it is with 
p'easui'i' that we present his record to our readers. 



SAMUEL L. PATTERSON', 

Witodsoii County is very fortunate in having for her officials men of 
liigh character and genuine worth, capable in business, prompt in action 
and reliable and trustworthy in the performance of duty. On the roster ap- 
pears the name of Samuel Patterson, who is now serving as county .sheriff, 
and who well deserves mention in this volume as one of the leading and in- 
tiuential citizens of southeastern Kansas. 

Mr. Patterson is a native of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where his birth 
occurred July S, I860. The family is of Irish descent and was established 
on American soil by the grandfather Patterson, who in the year 18:^0 
lirnught his family to the United States, locating in Pittsburg, where he 
spenr the residue of his days. He was a harness-maker by trade, and by 
followintr that pursuit provided for his family. John F. Patterson, the 
f.ither of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1SS5, and was therefore 



WOOnSON COUNTIES, KAI^AS. 



795 



(iiily four years of age \vhen an ocean vessel brought the family to the New 
World. He was reared in the Keystone state and at the time of the Civil 
war he manifested his loyalty to the government by joining the Seventy- 
eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers with which he served for three 
years, meeting the enemy on miny a southern battlefield. He married 
Ji sepliine Cox and in 1871 came \n ith his familj^ to Kansas, locating in An- 
(lerson County, where he made his home until 1888, when he came to Wood- 
son County, spending his last days in Toronto township, his death occurring 
in 189(). His wife was called to her final rest in 1898. Their children 
were: (leorge. of Arkansas; John, who was the first marshal of Yates Cen- 
ter, and died in Woodron County; Maiy, wife of James Wilkins, of Web- 
sici' County, Missouri; SamuelL,, of this sketch: Susan, wife of Murray 
(■off, of Denver. Colorado; Robert, of Woodson County; Alexander, of Illi- 
nois ; Mathew, who is also living in this county, and Emma, wife of Charles 
Newt' on. of Mason City, Illinois. 

Throughout the greater part of his life Samuel Patterson has resided 
in Kansas and is imbued with the true western spirit of progress and en- 
terj)ris:e. He came to AVoodron County when twenty-two years of age and 
fcu' one year was engaged in clerking for E. B. Rail, of Toronto. He then 
embarked in mei-chandi.sing on his own account .and after nearly a year 
traded his store for a farm in Baiton Connty, Missouri, operating the 
same for about tM'elve months, when he resumed merchandising at lantha, 
Mi-s-souri. Four months later, however, financial reverses overtook him and 
he turned his attention to blacksmithing. which he there learned and fol- 
lowed during his two year's' residence in lantha. Going to Toronto he 
Iniilt a shop and thei'e worked at his trade nntil July, 1899, when he was 
i-alled to public office. 

The political faith of the Pattersons is Republican, and like the other 
II embers of the family our subject allied his interests with the "Grand Old 
I'arty. " casting his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. 
Awhile residing in Toronto he was elected and served as city marshal, and 
tl'at service proved an excellent training school for his present official duties. 
Ij. 1899 he had three competitors for the nomination for .sheriff, bnt he was 
llie fortunate candidate and won the election by eleven votes, thus be- 
coming the successor of M. E. Hunt. 

In January, 1888, in Woodson County, was celebrated the marriage 
of Ml'. Patterson and Miss Verda Ledgerwood, a daughter of S. M. Ledger- 
wood, of Lamar, Missouri, but formerly of Dubois Count.y. Indiana. Their - 
children are Francis. Feme and Pearl. Socially Mr. Patterson is connected 
N'.'ith several fraternal organizations. He belongs to the lodge and Rebekah 
department of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also identified 
tinough membership relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the 
Ancient Order of ITnited AYorkmen and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. Fearless in the discharge of his public duties, showing no favor in the 
pei'formance of the tasks which devolve upon him. he is a faithful custo- 



7q6 history of ali.kn and 

diau (if tlu' pulilic iH-<ice ami of the law. aiul has made an enviable record iu 
office. 



ABRAHAM H. MILLEK. 

ABKAHAM B. MILLEK. one of the veterans of the Civil war. and 
an upriirht. honorable citizen of Everett townshij), Woodson County, was 
born in Holmes County, Ohio, on the 21st. of December, 18:^9. a son of 
Benjamin and Susana (Yoder) Miller, both natives of Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania. When a young man the father removed to Ohio, where he 
en<;a5red in farming. Tie was accidentall.v kilhd in 1840. by a falling tree, 
but his wife still survives him and is living in Indiana at the very ad- 
vanced age of eighty-eight .vears. 

Of the three surviving children born to his parents Abraham Miller is 
the second in order of birth. He resided in the Buckeye state until four- 
teen .vears of age and then accompanied his mother on her removal to 
Howard Count.v, Indiana, where he remained until the country became in- 
volved in Civil war over the slavery question and the attempted secession 
ol the southern states. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted at 
the president's call for three huTidred thousand men. .joining eonipan.v E. 
Eleventh Indiana cavalrv. with which coMimand he participated in some 
(i1 the most hotly contested engagements of the war. including the battles of 
Nashville and Tuseumbia, Tennessee, the latter occurring on Christmas day 
iif 1864. He enlisted as a private but was soon afterward promoted to the 
rank of first sergeant of his compan.v. 

After receiving an honorable discharge from the service ^Ir. Miller re- 
turned to his home in Indiana, and on the 4th. of November. 18fi5. was- 
I iiited in marriage to Miss Elizabeth T»aray. a native of Eranklin Count.v. 
Ohio, born November 22. 1844. Her parents. Daniel and Melvina (Searfos) 
Raray. removed to Indiana in 1844. and her father is still living at the 
aire of eight.v-five .vears .but his wife passed awa.v in 187."). at the age of 
fort.v-two. The.v were the parents of f^even children, of whom Mrs. Miller 
is the second, and five of the family are yet living. 

After his marriage Mr. IMiller began his domestic life upon a rented 
IViiii which he operated until 18fi8. when he came to Woodson Count.v. se- 
curing a farm on Cherry creek. He called his homestead Miller's Orove and 
established a postoffice there to which he gave the same name. For six years 
'..( served as the postmastei-. For seven .vears he resided upon the farm, but 
on account of the grasshoppers he sold the property and returned to In- 
diana, where he continued through the twelve succeeding .vears. when on ac- 
count of his health he went to Arkansas, spending six years in that state. 
On the expiration of that period he returned to Woodson County in 1802. 
purchasing eighty acres of rich land, comprising one of the most attractive 
of the smaller farms of Everett township, its location being two miles north- 
\v( «1 of ViM-nnn. 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 797 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with eight children, 
Kamely: AVilliam O., who is living in Parsons, Kansas; Tudie, who became 
the M-ife of James Ledbetter, and died in 1896 ; Abraham L., who is the 
railroad agent at Lyndon, Kansas: Fred, who is in the railroad employ at 
Parsons: Daniel B., located in Hailey, Idaho; Carl, who is located in 
Itailey, Idaho; Jesse and Chester, twins, at home, and Grace, the only 
danghter, a beantiful yonng lady who is living with her parents. The 
family have a wide acqnaintanee in the commnnity and the hospitality of 
Uu- best homes is extended to them. In political affiliations Mr. Miller is a 
Ktpnbliean. 



GEOR(iE W. :\IcGILL. 

GEORGE W. McGILL is nnmbered among the worthy citizens that the 
Keystone sta'e has furnished to Kansas. He was born in Allegheny County, 
Pennsylvania. July 6, 1846, and is a son of the well known Thomas McGill, 
who rettled in Woodson County in 1876. When our subject was about ten 
years of age he accompanied his parents from his native state to LaSalle 
County, Illinois, and resided there for twenty years . He pursued his educa- 
tion in the district schools of the neighborhood and on attaining his ma- 
iority started out upon an independent business career, since which time 
he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. As a companion 
and helpmate on life's .journey he chose Miss Jennie Harlan, the wedding 
being celebrated in LaSalle County, October 21, 1868. 

The lady is a daughter of Arthur Harlan, and Thankful (Thrasher) 
Hai'lan, and was born in Putnam County. Illinois. September 16. 1850, 
Arthur Harlan was l)orn near Connersville. Indiana, in 1829, and his wife 
\\;,s a native of the Empire state. Arthur Harlan spent his last days 
in Belle Blaine, Iowa, where he died in the year 1889. He was the father 
o seven children, six of whom are yet living: Belle, wife of Thomas Mc- 
Gill. of Rock Island, Illinois: Jennie, wife of our subject: Monroe, of Eagle 
Grove, Iowa : Ernes^t, who is living in Davenport, Iowa ; Sadie, wife of 
Clinton McCormick, of Belle Plaine. Iowa, and Aaron, who is a resident of 
Clinton. Iowa. Melissa, who was the sixth in order of birth, died at the 
ase of two years. 

Mr. and Mrs. McGill began their domestic life upon a farm in Illinois, 
and there remained for about eight years, on the expiration of which period 
the.v came to Kansas and have since been residents of Woodson County, 
being located at the present time upon a farm on the southwest quarter 
of section two. township twenty-six, range sixteen. Mr. McGill gives his 
attention exclusively to general farming and is a man of diligence, per- 
severance and good business management and judgment. His political 
preference is indicated by the ballot which he always deposits on election 
(lay in support of the men and measures of Democracy, but the honors and 



79'^ HISTORY OK Ai.i.i':.\ A.vn 

cinoliuiiciils oi' office have no attrjietion for liiiii, his farm work claiming 
all of his time. He finds thei'eby tliat lie oan gain a good reliirn for his 
investment and is aeeordingly e]as^ed among the substantial agricuUnrists 

cl the cnninniiiilv. 



PERDIXAXD 11. SPKNCI^R. 

A wi'ii known and respieted farmer of Liberty township, Woodson 
( (uint\-. Fi'rdinan.d IT. Spencer, was boi'n in Moinnouth County. New Jer- 
.sey. May 22, 1838, and was the si.xth in order of birth in a family of seven 
children, born to John L. and Elizabeth (Tantum) Spencer. The father was 
a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and after residing in New Jersey 
for some time removed to Illinois in 18:{i). there following the occupation . 
Hi farming until his death, which occuried in 18G7, when he was sixty- 
seven years of age. His wife survived hint until 1872. and passed away at 
the age of seventy-three years. Of their children five are yet living, namel.v : 
IMrs. Hettie M. Dey. now of iMorrisonville. Illinois: ^Yilliam T., who is living 
in Jerseyville, Illinois-. IMartha R., of St. Louis, Missouri: Fi-rdinand II., 
and Sanniel H., of Yates Cenlci'. 

The sidiject of this review was only a year old when taken by his 
parents to Illinois, and with them he remained until they there were called 
In ilie home beyond. He was reared amid the scenes of rural life, spending 
his time in mastering the branches of English learning taught in the com- 
mon schools or in working in the fields. On the 16th. of Febrnary. 1871. 
he was .I'oined in wedlock .to Miss Sarali K. Parsell. who was boi-n in New 
Jersey, on the 17th. of January. 18n0, her parents being Peter and Eliza- 
beth M. (Smalley) Parsell, both natives of New Jersey. In 18()4 the.y re- 
moved to Illinois, where the father followed the occupation of farming until 
his death, which occurred in 18!)(), when he was sixty-five years of age. 
His widow still survives him at the age of seventy-four, and is now living in 
Jerse.vville. Illinois. Their family innnbeied nine children, as follows: 
Margaret S. : Sarah R.: Isaac S. : Jei-emiah : James S. : Sophia S., wife of 
James Nugent, and Peter R.. all in Illinois; John R., of St. Louis. Missouri : 
O'iver P., of Jerseyville. Illinois, and Margai-et S. The first named became 
the wife of Thomas Herdman. but both died in Neosho Palls, his death oc- 
curring December 3. 1880. and her death Mai'ch 2.3. 1900. 

The year 1870 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Spencer in the Siniflower 
srate. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ijiberty town- 
ship. AVoodson County, on which he now resides, the farm being con- 
veniently located fonr miles directly north of Yates Center. lie has 
wtought a great transformation in his land, making Tuany excellent im- 
provements thereon, and the boundaries of the farm he has extended until 
it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres. His attractive residence 
Stands in the midst of a nice grove of evergreen and forest trees, and in the 



"fiKiUSON COUJiTIES. KA-NSAS. 799 

ar-ar is a good barn and other substanlial OTitbiiildiugs, which sUnul as 
-moiiuuieuts to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. 

The home of ^Ir. and ]\Ii-s. Spencer has been bkssed witli six ehildreti, 
namely: Elizabeth T.. a highly educated young lady, who i.s a graduate 
of the State Normal School, at Emporia, Kansas, and is now teaching in 
the ci'y school of Kansas City, Kansas; Walter H., a graduate of the Agri- 
cultural College, at IManliattan, Kansas; Lila S.. a graduate of the State 
Normal School, of Kniporia, of the class of 1901 ; H. Scott, who is now teach- 
ing in the country schools ; J. Oliver, who is attending liigh school in Yates 
Center, and Sophia B.. wlio is also a student in the high school. Mr. 
Speneei- has provided his children with excellent educational pi'ivileges. 
thus giving them f oniothing which cau never be taken fiom them and which 
admirably tits them for the practical duties of life. 

In his political views Mr. Spencer is a Democrat and cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. In his business affairs he has 
been very suecessfnl. for tliongh he had neither wealth or influential friends 
to aid him at the outset of his business careei' he is now in control of a 
valuable far'm wliich he owns, and which annnally brings to him a good 
financial i-etnrn on his investment. 



HON. GEORGE D. CARPENTER. 

The late George D. Carpenter whose active and honorable business 
•career of many years was closed suddenly in death, July 20, 1885, was 
l)orn in Chenango County, New York, July 6. 1838. He received his early 
■education at Binghampton Academy, came to LaSalle County, Illinois, in 
<early manhood and devoted himself to teaching school until the outbreak of 
the Rbellion. He enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer 
infantry, and was afterward eonmiissioned captain of Company C, 
■Sixty-sixth United Stages Colored troops and, without shrinking 
from duty, partook of tlie dangers, privations and hardships of the Yazoo 
Expedition, participating in the engagements at Ft. Pemperton, Grand 
Gulf. Champion Ilill, Big Black, and the siege of Vicksburg. He was in 
eonunand of the first Black River Arkansas Expedition, and after the war 
"was ended he commanded the military posts at Biloxi and Pass Christian, 
]\iississippi. until mustered out of service in the spring of 1866. 

Mr. Carpenter's identity with Woodson County dates from 1870 when 
he located in Liberty township. By dint of untiring energy and good man- 
agement he developed into one of the leading stock farmers in the county. 
Fovu* years after his advent to the county, as a recognition of his splendid 
business qualities and manly worth he was chosen by the voters of his 
count.v to be clerk of the court, which office he filled six years. Upon the 
expiration of his term of office he returned to his country home and herds. 
When the First National Bank of Yates Center was organized he was 



8bo •H'IST(:)K\ HI- Al.l.i-..\ A\u 

elteled iis presidoiil, which position agiuii calli cl him fioiii thu farm to 3: 
ivsidonce in the county seat. In his connection with the bank Mr. Carpen- 
ter e.xhibited rare business traits and the .stability and inte^ity of the in- 
stitiition was due in a siieat measure to his personal worth and credit. 
In his death the institution snlfered a serions loss. 

In April. 1869, Mr. Carpenter married Miss Laura Scovel. Their four 
daughters are Dora E. Bigelow. Mabel L. Wamsley, Edna A. and Jessie C. 
Carpenter. 

(Jeorge D. Carjienter was a man warm, tender and devoted to his 
friends, broad in his views and possersed of the most generous impidses. 
He was a representative Mason, was a Sir Knight, an Odd Fellow and a 
Workman. Never in the history of the county was a larger concourse of 
its citizens assembled as a convention of sorrow and. never in the history of 
any eonniumity did a citizen deserve more the attention paid him when dead 
than he upon whose r-aski^' frii'iids sliowi^ved t.-jirs .-ind tlowpi's tipon this 
sad occasion 



HEV. O. P. AUGUSTINE. 

KEV. 0. P. AUGUSTINE, who for eighteen years has served as post- 
i^iaster of Coloma and is a well known i-epresentative of the business inter- 
ests of this locality as well as of the work of the chnrch, was born in Stark 
Comity, Ohio, October 1. 1824. His parents, John and ilargaret 
(Wishard) Augustine, were both natives of Pennsylvania. In early life the 
lather largely devoted his time and attention to political interests and to 
military service. He was one of the loyal defenders of his country in the- 
(Var of 1812, was made a brigadier-general and served throughout the Black 
Hawk war. A recognized leader in public thought and opinion, his 
V)ews carried weight in political circles and in 1840 he was chosen a presi- 
dential elector, casting his ballot for William Henry Harrison. His hisih 
standing in the public regard is indicated by the fact that for twenty-one 
years he represented his district in the state legislature. He was also 
sleriff of his eininty for fonr years. He resided in Ohio from 1807 until 
1S52 when he removed to Illinois, where his remaining days were passed, 
his time being devoted to agricultural pursuits. He died in 1871. at the 
ripe old age of eighty-two years, and his wife departed this life in 1845, 
at the age of sixty-one . Tiiis worthy couple were the paients of nine chil- 
dren. 

O. P. Augustine, however, is the oidy survivor of the family. He re- 
ceived a common-school education and vva.s reared to rural life, assisting 
in the labors of the farm from his early boyhood. When he had reached 
adult age he was married in Ohio, November 7, 1844, to Miss Agnes A. 
Webb. In 18o2 they removed to Illinois, where ]\Ir. Augustine purchased 
and ojierated a farm, coming thence to Woodson County, in 1871. Here he 



■^'OonsoN C()UNtiE;;. KA">r.sA.s. 8oi 

Spurchased two diiinis of 80 acies each, five and a hall' miles iiortli of Yates 
Center, and is now in partnership under the firm name of O. P. & (). W. 
Auguf-tine, dealers in stock and farming and are doing a good business, mak- 
ing large purchases and sales. 

Unto Air. and .Mrs. Augustine were liorn four children: Mary Agnes, 
who died in infancy : -lolui Wesley, now in Oklahoma : Elizabeth. J., at home, 
and Oliver AV., who has charge of the farm. Tire family is one of promi- 
nence in the connnunity and the members of the household merit and receive 
the high regard of friends and neighbors. In his political views Mr. Augus- 
tine is a stalwart Republican. He filled the office of coroner of Woodson 
County for six years and through long periods has served in the township 
offices. Eighteen years ago he was ajiiioiuted postmaster of Coloma and has 
since occupied that position, dischai'ging his duties in all these offices with 
due regard to the trust reposed in him and with promptness and dispatch. 
~For thirtj' years he has been a minister of the Alethodi.st Episcopal church, 
and in 1899 he engaged in preaching in Oklahoma. His religous faith and 
belief are th(> actuating motive of his life and guide him in all his relations 
with bis fellow men. 



GEORGE AA'. NAYLOR. 

Among the extensive landowners and leading agriculturists of AVood- 
-son County is numbered George AY. Naylor, whose successful career is one 
v.orthy of the highest comnrendation for all that he has is the outcome of his 
persistent effort, guided by sound business judgment and characterized by 
unfaltering honesty in trade transactions. Respect and admiration are un- 
e( usciously accorded such a man and are a just tribute to his ability and 
A\'orth. 

Mr. Naylor was horn in Monroe County. Ohio. May -i. 1849. His father, 
F-amuel. Xaylor. was a native of Pennsylvania and there married Anna Al- 
bright, who was born in the same state. About 1848 they removed to Ohio, 
vhere the father followed his trade of wagon-making for a time but later 
turned his attention to farming. In 18ofi he went with his family to Illi- 
Tiois. and in 1869 came to Kansas settling in AVoodson County. He and his 
"wife are now living in Yates Center, at the ages of seventy-three and seventy- 
f.ve years respectively. They weiv the parents of nine children, of whom 
(•eorce AA^. was the second in order of birth. 

Mr. Naylor of the review spent the greater part of his childhood and 
youth in Illinois, and in 1869 came to Kansas with his parents, remaining 
Avith them until he had attained bis majority when he homesteaded eighty 
acres of land in Liberty township and thus laid the foundation for his 
present prosperity. For six years he resided upon that place and then sold 
the property after which he removed to Toronto township and purchased 
oighty acres where be now resides. As his financial resources have increased 



-'ib2 HTstOfiy OP' AUtE^" XKjT 

and favorable opportunity liasoiifeied he has made judicious investments: 
in real estate until he now owns nine hundri'd and sixty acres of valuable- 
larniing laud, situated on Brazel creek, six and a half mile ; north of Toronto, 
where he is extensively engaged in the produetion of grain and the raising 
of t^a-th" and other stoek. He has one of the best equipped farms in the 
fttiunty. The ertek which crosses his land, is skirted with timber on both 
l»anks thus furnishing both water, shade and shelter for the stock, and in ad- 
dition to the creek he has living springs on every (piarter section, thus hav- 
ing a never-failing water supply. He has pipes laid from the springs to 
large tanks that are always full of clear water, whether the winds blow or 
not.. There are large barns and sheds for the protection of grain and srtock 
and there is one large shed wall, built of stone, ninety feet long and roofed 
in with shingles so that he can safely house all his stock. He keeps on hand 
r.hout one hundred head of cattle and the ^ame number of hogs and ships- 
lii^: own stock as fast as it is in condition for the market. 

In 1872 Mr. Kaylor was united in marriage to Miss Alice Miller, a 
native of Illinois, who came to Kansas in her early girlhood. For almost 
thirty year^■ she has traveled life's joxirney by her husband's side and has 
been indeed of valuable assistance to him as well as a devoted companion. 
They have a nice home and their delight is to entertain their friends, ilr. 
Naylor has been successful in his business career for he s^i^arted out in life 
with only his homestead farm of eighty acres and a team of horses and today 
he is one of fhe most properous and prominent agriculturists of the com- 
munity. He has served for three terms as township trustee of Liberty town- 
.ship and in his political views is a staunch Republican, but has no time for 
■ Dublic office, his extensive business interests claiming his attention and 
bringing to hivn splendid success. 



LOVEL P. PEMBERTON. 

LOVEL P. PE;MBP2RT0N. who is widely and favorably ImoTvu in 
\Voodson County, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
took up his abode in Liberty township, that county, in 1878 and throughout 
the intervening period has figured in connection with the advancement of 
agricultural interests in this portion of the state. 

]\Ir. Pemberton is a native of Hamilton County, ilissouri. born August 
7. 1845. ancl is of English descent. The family was foiuided in America by 
the areat-grandfather of our sub.i'ect. who was born in England and 
crossed the Atlantic to the New World. Representatives of the name have 
since served in the Revolutionary war. the war of 1812 and in the Black 
Hawk war. and in civil life have they also displayed their loyalty to their 
country. 

William Pemberton. our sub.iect's grandfather, was a native of Vir- 
jrinia. whence he removed to KentucW. but spent his last days in Paris. Ten- 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. S03 

iiessee. John Peniberton, father of our subject was born in Adair County, 
Kentucky. He accompanied his parents to Paris, Tennessee, and when 
twenty-one years of age came into the uew state of Missouri and entered 
land in Caldwell County. He passed the remainder of his long life there, 
dying in the year 1900 at ninety years of age. He lived sixty-two years upon 
the family homestead of a half section and was surely one of the "land- 
marks" of the county. He married Clarissa Wilson, a daughter of William 
V\'ilson, who was born and reared in the state of Mississippi and who died 
in 1856. For his second wife the father married Delilah Bogan. The chil- 
dien of his first mai'riage were: Carroll, of Caldwell County. Missouri; 
John H.. who died in Shawncetown, Kansas, ju.st after the Rebellion, he 
having been a soldier therein; Alfred W.. w-ho went to California in 18fi6 
and has not since been heard from; Arminta. deceased wife of (4. B. Hill; 
Rebecca A., wife of William C. Clevenger, of Kansas City, Missouri ; 
I ovel P.; Thomas, of Caldwell County, Missouri; Chas. M.. of Englewood, 
Kansas, and Genevra E., who married T. P. Toner, of Livingston County, 
Mi.ssouri. A. C. Peniberton is a child of the second marriage of John 
Pimberton. 

No event of special importance occun-ed to vary the routine of farm 
life for Love! P. Peuiberton in his youth until the Civil war came on and 
l;c joined the Eleventh IMisjouri cavalry at the age of seventeen years. He 
enlisted at Breckenridge, Missouri, and was mu.stered in at St. Joseph. The 
regiment, under command of Col. AVm. D. Wood, served in the western divi- 
sion Seventh Army corps. In 1864 an engagement on White river was par- 
t-'cif)ated in by the regiment and known a,'? "the 19 of February." Mr. 
Pcmberton also took part in the battle of Ashland Station and in many 
smaller engagements and skirmishes in the southwest, and served from 1863 
1o the close of the war. In August 186.5 he arrived home and resumed the 
-.vork of the farm. He remained in Missouri until 1878 when he deserted it 
to make his home on the prairies of Kansas. 

In Caldwell County. Missouri, on the 24th. of Sei)tember. 1874. Mr. 
Peniberton was united in marriage to Jane A. Broir e. a daughter of Michael 
Brouse who was a native of Canada and who married Ann Cook. Their 
union produced eleven children ten of whom survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Peniberton have been born six children, namely. John H., express messen- 
<_'ei- on the ITnion Pacific Railroad: Arthur L.. of Wyoming: Claude, of 
■^'a^es Center v.'ho married Bertha Lambrun ; Herbert L. ; Audlev B., and 
Iva I. 

For thirteen years after coming to Woodson County, Mr. Peniberton 
made his home in Liberty township and then located upon section thirty- 
oiie, township twenty-five, range fifteen, Belmont township. Here he is 
now the ownei- of six hundred and fort.v acres, and in connection with the 
cultivation of the fields and the raising of crops he has devoted considerable 
attention to stock-raising and feeding. His estate is a valuable property. 



804 HISTORY OF ALLEN" AXD 

is.ipplied with eonvenieut farm iuiproveiiieiils and is an ideal place for Ihe 
handling of stock. 

In his political views Mv. Peniberton is a Democrat. He is without am- 
bition in politics and is seeking nothing beyond the opportunty to devo*e 
his time and talents to his immediate business. 



HENRY MASSOTH. 

In a pleasant home in Piqua. Kansas, Henry Massoth is now living re- 
ined from the more arduous cares of business life, having through former 
years of activity and industry gained a substantial competence which now 
piovides him with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. 

Mr. Massoth was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 2d. of June, 18-12, 
and is a son of John and Christiana (Ovoch) Massoth. who were also natives 
oJ' the .^ame country, whence they crossed the briny deep to the United States 
in 1854. The father died of cholera in less than a month after landing on 
the shores of America. The family took up their abode in Lake County, 
Indiana, and the mother siirvived her husband until. 1874, when she too 
jiassed away at the age of sixty-eight yeais. They were the parents of six 
children, four of whom are now living, namely: Henry: Frank, a resident 
of Indiana : Peter B., of Nebra.ska. and Katie. 

Mr. Massoth of this review is the eldest of the surviving members of the 
family. He resided upon the home farm with his mother until after the 
inuaguration of the Civil war when feeling that his chief duty was to- 
ward his country, he enlis'^ed on the 1st of July, 1862. as a member of com- 
pany A. !?eveuty-third Indiana Volunteer infantry, remaining at the front 
until after the close of the war, when in July, 1865. he received an honorable 
(i'seharge. He was in the battle of Perryville and several lesser engagements 
and was captured at Day Camp, Alabama, but after being held for two 
weeks by the Rebels he was exchanged. He was never wounded although 
twice hit by spent balls that did not pierce the skin. He was a loyal soldier, 
who gallantly defended the old flag until hostilities ceased. 

After the war Mr. Massoth resumed his old occupation of farming. He 
was married on the 19th. of September, 1865, to Miss ]\Iary Kline, also a 
native of Prussia, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm. It 
was in this way that he continued to carry on agricultural pursuits while in 
Indiana. Thinking that he might acquire a farm where land wa.s cheaper, 
in 1870 he came to "Woodson County and pre-empted one hundred and sixty 
acres on Plum creek, eight miles east of Yates Center. He now has a valua- 
ble farm of iive hundred and twenty acres of well improved laud, together 
with iovm property in Piqua. AVheu lie ari'ived m Kansas he had only 
three hundred dollars in money, a wagon and a team, but with this as a 
start he allied himself with the agricultural interests of the county and 
found that the rich soil would yield to him an excellent return for his care 



WUDDhdX ClIL N IIJ-.S, KANSAS. Sot 

Jiiid labor. As tin' years i)aM5ed and he placed his fields under cultivation 
Ins income was annually increased and his stock-raising interests also 
brought to him handsome financial returns. He has made nearly all that he 
possesses ^ ince coming- to Kansas, and now he is enjoying a well-earned rest. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Massoth have been born ten children : Kate, wife 
of Peter lIellinghou?e, of Muskogee Indian Territoiy ; Lena, wife of J. 
Klein; (>'eorge and Henry, who are upon the home farm; Maiy, who is with 
her sis!er in the tei-ritory: .\nna. who is on the farm with lier hi-others; 
Hannah, who is with lirr jiarenls in Piiiiia ; Prank, John and Willie, also at 
home. 

The political principles of the Democracy are supported by Mr. Massoth 
at the ballot box and he is an ardent advocate of the party. He has served as 
treasurer of his townsliii) and has been one of the school dii'pctoi's of his 
district foi- a number of years. He is an excellent example of the self-made 
-American citizen and a giand exemplification of the progress that an am- 
ImHous foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunities. 



JOHN W. QUICK. 

Long j'-ears of earnest labor certainly earn a rest and retirement from 
business cares and this has been voueh.safed to John W. Quick, who has 
now put aside the more arduous duties of the farm and is enjoying the 
fruits of his former toil. He is, however, serving his fellow townsmen in 
j)ublic office, f(U' recognizing his ability and trustworthiness, they elected 
him to the position of county commissioner and for two terms he has been 
!lie incumbent in the office, representing the first district upon the board. 
This shows his standing among fellow men who entertain for him high re- 
gard by reason of his upright life. 

Mr. Quick was born in Warren County, Indiana, on the 8th. of March, 
1833. His father, James Quick, is a native of Virginia, born in 1803, and 
when only twelve ye^rs of age he accompanied his father on his removal to 
Ohio, where he attained early manhood. He then went to Indiana and in 
tl at state was mai'ried to I\Iiss Klizabeth (ioodwin. a native of Kentiicky, 
who died about 1845. The father is still living in Illinois and has reached 
the advanced age of ninety-eight years. 

John W. Quick of this review was only twelve years of age at the 
time of his mother's death. He then returned from Davis County, Iowa, to 
Indiana in order to make his home with an uncle there, but from that time 
he was self-supporting. He worked for twenty-five cents per day, which 
then seemed ipiite a ujunificent sum. He acquired only a common-school 
education, but through experience, observation and reading he has become 
a man of good practical knowledge. As a companion and helpmate on the 
iourney of life he cho: e Miss Rachel Jones, the wedding being celebrated 
January 20. 1853. She was born in Ohio. April 21, 1833, a daughter of AYil- 
l;aiii and Rachel (Slaughter) Jones, the latter of New Jersey. 



^Ot' HISTOKV i>F .iLI.K.N AXI> 

After his iiianiaiie Mr. (^uiek iH'gan to learn the miller's trade ami 
It maiiied iu the employ of one tirm at XViiiiamsport. Indiana, for six years. 
He afterward was conneeted with other millinsi establishments for a number 
of years, but tiiially abandoned the business iu order to eusiage in farminir 
and rented a traet of land wliieh he operated for tluee years. In 18611 he 
eame to Kansas and seemed a homesttad of eighty aeres upon whieh he has 
since resided. He first ereeted a small house upon his claim and then be- 
gan oontraetiuir for grade work on the railroads. He folUnveil that pursuit 
for four yeai-s and tl.en took up the work of the farm. He is to-day the 
owner of two hundred and forty aeres of valuable land, all improved. 
There is a nice grove survoiuuling his house and barn and everything about 
lOe plaee is in good shape. He has made everything that he has upon his 
farm through the eultivatiou of the fields and the raising of sheep, and 
having gained a handsome eompetenee he is now living retired, his land 
being renteti. 

In his political views Mr. Quick is a stalwart Republican and has served 
for one term as township trustee of Everett township. In 1887 he was 
elected county commissioner and filled that position for three years. Again 
Hi 1898 he was clee'ed to the same office, so that he is the present inciunbent. 
He gives careful attention to his official duties and his administration is 
practical and pros^ressive. ^howing that he has the best interest of the 
■countv at heart. 



JOSEPH PAKKS. 

Joseph Parks, whose residence in Kansas dates from 1868. is now the 
owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres iu Xeosho Falls towu- 
sliip. The place is surrounded by well-kept hedge fences and a large resi- 
dence stands in tlie midst of a maple grove so that the house is seen throtigh 
the vista of the trees and nuikes an attractive feature iu the landscape. 

^Ir. Parks, its owner and occupant, was bovu in \Varren County, Ohio, 
November 6, 1833, a sou of James and Grisella (.McMeeu) Parks, both of 
vhom were natives of the Keystone state. The father was one of the pioneer 
stttlers of Ohio. His home was ereeted in 18tX\ and in 1803 he built a barn 
which is still standing. He died in Ohio, in 1836, and his wife, surviving 
I'.im until 1848, passed away at the age of fifty-eight yeai-s. Of their family 
of seven children only two are now living, the sister being Mrs. Martha 
Hayden. the wife of -lohn Hayilen. of Joliet. Illinois. 

Our subject, the youngest of the family, was the only son. He ae- 
ipiired an academic education and iu 1854 went to De> Moines County. Iowa, 
vhere he remained until 1860. He was married there to Miss ^^arah E. 
Colby. They yubsetjuently removed to Chicago. Illinois where 
Mr. Parks was engaged in the provision business till 1868. when he 
c?me to Kansas. Arrivina: in this state he first located at Leavenworth, and 



■^vryonsoN' couN I .S07 

~\\a.s there in the employ of the same firui with which he had been connected 
in Chicago. He aided in packinjr the first cattle ever (hus prepared for the 
market in this slate. Weil plea-ed with the coiinlry. the climate and the 
people, he decided to remain in Kansas and took up his abode in Woodson 
t'oiinty. piirchasinj; a farm of one hundred and si.xty acres two miles south 
of Neosho Falls. To this place he removed with his family in 1869, and 
••lectMJ a coiiiiriodioiis i esiflence. Mr. Parks has ^iven considerable atten- 
tion lo the raisinir of stock, and h;is resided continuously uf»on his farm with 
the exception of a period of four years ,durinK which lime he resided with 
his famih' in Indianapolis. Indiana, in order that his children might en- 
ir.y better educational privileges. During that time Mr. Parks worked for 
his old employers in the j)acking house, but after four years he returned to 
his Kansas hoirie and resumed his farming operations, his labors being 
Clowned with a merited flcgree of success. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Parks ha<-' been blessed with four ehil- 
dien: Prank, who n.'sides upon a farm near his father: Nellie and Edward. 
;ii home, and Belle, wife of Chai-les Williams, of Arkansas. Socially Mr. 
Parks is connected with the Masonic lodge at Xeo:ho Falls, and in politics 
b:; is a stalwart Republican. For four years he served as trustee of Neosho 
township, pi-oving a capable officer. ITis life indicate" the power of industry 
i'.i the business world, foi- without influential friends or pecuniary ad- 
vanta<r''s to aid him he has steadily worked his way upward and now stands 
amony the men of afflnence in his adopted coun^v. 



cilAHLKS F. DIVKH. 

Till' life of Charles F. Diver has not been one of unvarying monotony, 
circumscribed by the narrow confines of a certain locality, where habits of 
thought, action and life scuircely change with the passing years. He has 
Iravded over much of the elobe. has visited many foreign ports and is 
largely acquainted with the beauties of his native land. He is a man of 
bioad mind, having that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring, 
and in southeastern Kansas he ranks among the representative citizens. 

Mr. Diver was born in Philadelphia. Penn.sylvania. December 16. 1849 
and is the son of the Rev. Charles F. Diver, also a native of Philadelphia. 
The paternal grand|)arents of our sub.iect both died when about eighty years 
01' age. the maternal grandjiarents: at the age of ninety-nine, so that he comes 
from long-lived ancestry. After arriving at years of maturity the Rev. 
Charles F. Diver wedded Mi.ss Mary Hestem. of Chester Valley. Pennsyl- 
vania. She belonged to a wealthy family, her father being interesti d in one 
o*' the extensive banking institutions of Philadelphia, in connection with be- 
irg the proprietor of a large flouring mill. For many years Rev. Diver 
engaged in preaching in Philadelphia, and his labors in behalf of Christian- 
it^ were verv effective. Tie died October 14. 1884. at the age of seventy-four 



SoS HiSTUKY Of ALLKN A.Nli 

years, and his wife pjissed away many \-eais previous. Tiny were the par- 
ents of five diildreu : Joseph, who was a .soldier in the Civil war and died^ 
after his return from the army; Walter. Euphemia and Mary, who reside in' 
I'hiladelphia. aiid Charles F. 

The last named is the fourth child of the family. He remained at home 
r.iiiil fourteen ytars of age and then enlisted in the American ua\y. .servingr 
for five years. He was fir^t on the Sabian siinboat and was then transferred 
to the Hartford under Admiral Bell. He participated in the battle of Fort 
F:shir. where his lieutenant was killed, ilr. Diver standiusr by his side at 
Ihe time he was shot. He has visited most of the ports of the world, has 
si'iled in the China sea and visited Jfanila long before Admiral Dewey en- 
tered that bay. He learned much of the various countries on the globe, of 
fpcir peoples and custom:-, his experience jiroving a good sdiool. 

After his retirement from the navy, Mr. Diver returned to Philadelphia, 
where he was engaged in merchandising for about foni- years, when he went 
to Illinois, cariying on general merchandising in a small town called Fox 
station. There he also remained for four years. In 1878 he came to Kan- 
sas and turned his attention to farming, renting land for four years, after 
which he purchased three hundred and thirty acres upon which he now 
resides. This is fine bottom land and he has developed and improved one 
of the finest fruit farm^ in Woodson Coun'y. On the place he has a com- 
Biodioiis and attractive residence surrounded by a beautiful lawn of blue 
grass and shaded with stately trees. In connection with general and fruit 
farming, he also engages in the raising of .-tock to some extent. 

While in Illinois, Mr. Diver was united in luarriage to Miss Anna Cook, 
of Chicago, daughter of Dr. J. A. and Mary ( Harris) Cook. Tlie wedding 
was celebrated November 22. 1878. After residinvr upon their Kansas farm 
for some years Mr. Diver removed with his family to Fort Scott in order tc 
educate his children and later returned to Pliiladelphia in order that they 
niight enjoy educational facilities in that city, where about a year was 
passed. On aecouut of failing health, he was advised by his physician to 
go to Colorado, where he was engaged in manufacturing during his four 
yeai-s' >tay in that state, meeting with excellent succe^ss in his undertakings. 
The climate there, however, did not agree with him. ami he once more took 
up his abode upon his Kansas farm, where he is still living in very com- 
fi rtable circumstances, his pleasant and attractive home being supplied with 
all moilern conveniences and aeces.sories. 

I'nto ]SIr. and Mrs. Diver have been born eight children, namely : 
Walter, who is connected ^\ith Roland's book store, of Lawrence, Kansas: 
Pwight, Etfel, "Charles. Lawrence. Warren, Dorothy and Anna, all yet at 
h< me. The family is widely and favorably kno\vn in Woodsein County, and 
the circle of their friends is exten.sive. In his political \iews Mr. Diver is 
n Republiciin. but aside from voting for the candidates of the party he takes 
rn active interest in politics as a worker in campaigns or as an aspirant for 
office. In hi> Imsiness he has ever carried forward to successful completion 



~w(HJl)S<)N' COUJJTIES. KAiStSAS. ' 809 

■?s^"hatever he has iiiKk-rtaken. and liis life stands as an exoniplilicalion of the 
rpoteney of industry, persistency ajid honesty in the active affairs of life. 



CxEORGE K. FOOTE. 

GEOKUE K. POOTE, one of the reliable, practical and progressive 
business men of Yate.s Center, was born in Henry County, Kentucky, on 
the 9th of September, 1849, a son of Kirehelow and Barbara (Boyd) Foole, 
Hie former a native of South Carolina, the latter of Virginia. The tilling of 
Tile soil and the raising of crops occupied the father's attention tbroughoiit 
nis business career, and in Kentucky, in 1878 he departed this life, being 
ihen seventy-nine years of age. His wife survived him until 1885 and was 
-called to the home beyond at the age of seventy years, lliey v\-ere the 
parents of four children, namely: Mrs. Julia Stark, of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky: Mrs. Harriet Force, of Henry County, that stati>: George K., and 
Mrs. Alice Downing, of Prankford. Indiana. 

George K. Poote, the only son. was reared on the homestead farm, and 
Mi the common schools of the neighliorhood lie mastered the branches of 
learning whitli form the basis of all knowledge. He remained with his 
.parents and assisted in the operation of the farm until twenty-seven years 
o1' age. when he wa.s married. On the 19tli of October, 1875. he wedded 
Miss Elliott AVoodi^ide, a native of Henry County, Kentucky, and a davigh- 
ler of William B. AYoodside. who was born in that county. August 22, 1822. 
He was educated in the common schools and when a young man engaged in 
teaching for a number of years. On the 8th of February, 1849. he was 
uni'ed in marriage to ^larian ]May Thompson, a native of Henry County. 
In 1858 they removed to Mis>ouri. but af'er four years returned to Ken- 
"tveky, continuing there until 1871 when they caine to Kansas, locating in 
T^minence township, Woodson County. Tliere the father engaged in farm- 
ing until 1899 when he and his wife removed to Yates Center, whei'e his 
I'eath occurred. Januaiy 21. 1900, when he was seventy-.seven years of age. 
They were the parents of six children: Elliott. M'ife of Mr. Poote; William 
C. and O.. wlio are living in Cowley County. Kansas: Eichard W., of Au- 
gusta, this state : Forrest, now in Colorado Springs, and Mamie, at home 
with her mother, in Yates Center. The marriage of Mv. and Mrs. Poote has 
luen ble.ssed with three children: Leon. Minnie and Tecora. all at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Poote rented a farm in Kentucky for four 
yc;irs. during which time, as the result of his hard labor, he accumulated 
five hundred dollars which he brought with him to Kansas in 1879, invest- 
ing it in eighty acres of land in Eminence township AVoodson County. The 
t/act was raw prairie, entirely destitute of improvement, but with char- 
acteristic energy he began its development and soon transformed it into pro- 
ductive fields. Lie also added to the fai-m as he found opportunity until it 
now comprises two hundi-ed and forty acres of land. He erected thereon a 



HISTORY OF' ALi:k>; A'XD" 

cjiuiiiodious residence, well arranged and built in niodei'u style. He also' 
biiilt a large barn and the necessary ontbnildings. planted a fine orchard 
and a grove of fores; trtes, which surrounds his house and barn, bestowing 
a grateful shade in siinnner. In addition to the development of the fields he 
engaged in raising cattle and became one of the leading cattle men of his 
iownrhip. He continued liis farming and stock raising operations until the 
spring of 1901. when he purchased property in Yates Center, removed '.o 
the ci*y and is now engaged in business there in connection with his son, 
as a dealer in feed and coal. 

In his political views Mr. Foote is a Democrat who manifests his poli- 
t-cal preference by support of i(s candidates at the polls. He has never 
S( ught office for himself as his lime has been fully occupied with business 
interests that h.ave brought to him a handsome competence, making him one 
<ii the prosperous citizens of southeastern Kansas. He still owns, and now 
ri uts the farm upon which he acquired his capital and which was the scene- 
of his honorable and useful labor foi- many years. 



THOMAS HOUriTO.N DAVIDSO.V. 

THOMAS HOUSTON DAVIDSON was born near New Castle. Pa., 
Feliruarv 2. 1816. died at Kalida Farm. Woodson County, Kansas, February 
2, 1889. ' 

His father. James Davidson, was in early life a surveyor, but after- 
wards became a prosperous farmer and sheep raiser in Western Pennsyl- 
vania, in the early part of the century. He was one of the stalwart, sub- 
stantial and i)atriotic citizens of the Republic. He served as captain in the 
war of 1812. 

In a laigc family of children. Thomas H. Davidson was. after the 
education of that period, prepared for mercantile life. He successfully con- 
flucted general merchandise ventures at Knon Valley. New Brighton and 
Jamestown. Pa. He was loca+ed at the la.st named place when the the news 
of the firing on Fort Sumter was flashed throughout the country. He was 
(ired wi'h a patriotic zeal to emulate his father and to offer his services as 
;i volunteer on the first call of President Ijincoln for troops. Two things, 
however, prevented this: he was a few months past the "age limit" of 
forty-five years, and in addition to this fact he cindd not. in the early days 
of the war. have passed the rigid physical examination then requiredj 
AATiile he was a hale and robust man all his life, with .a splendid constitu- 
lion. still in his younger days, while assisting at a "barn raising" he had, 
\v. his effort to prevent a serious accident which threatened to result in in- 
n;ry and even death to several persons, thrown himself into the breach, and, 
l.y "an exhibition of physical strength which seemed almost iuci-editable at 
the time, received all the in.iiiry himself, escaping with a broken leg and a 
S'isrht runture. The latter injury, though apparently insignificant, re- 



WOODSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. 8ll 

inaiued with liiiii throiiirhoiit the balance of his days. and. thoiiyh ir iiavo 
liim no Kpecial inconvenience, it was sufficient, nevertheless, to catch the 
aftentinn of the medical examiner, anci, when taken in connection with 
his age, bar him from enlistment in the volunteer army. 

So pCi'. istsnt was he, however, that he made a trip to Washington, sought 
and obtained a personal interview with President Lincoln, convinced him of 
his physical soundness and his physical endi;rauee, and received a promise 
fiom the President that he would make an exception in his case and assign 
liim to a captaincy at an early date. This, however, never came about, 
and the war came to conclusion without his having seen service, except as a 
member of the "Home Guard.'" 

In 1866, with the return of peace, Mr. Davidson was siezed with a 
desire to escape from the close confinement of the store room, and nati;rally, 
in common with many oMier men at that time, turned his face toward the 
rising young connnonwealth of Kansas. He disposed of his mercantile busi- 
ness in Jamestown and. with his family, resolved to become a pioneer in the 
<>velor)ment of the border state. 

He arrived in Kansas on the second day of August, 1866, and im- 
mediately purchased a farm near Ft. Scott, in Bourbon Coiinty. Here he 
r(-' ided for four years. During this time he was actively engaged in farm- 
ing. A few weeks after his arrival came the great "grasshopper raid" so 
memorable in the early history of the state. This did not discourage him, 
however, and while the state was recovering from the effects of this "dis- 
astrous visitation," he and his son James resolved to "file on" some suit- 
able government land within easy reach of the farm at Ft. Scott. 

They carried out this resolve in the winter of 1866-1867, the son tak- 
ing what is now the eart half of the present town site of Girard, the present 
■c(.un+y seat of Crawford Comity: the father taking the claim adjoining this 
OT- the south. A town company from Ft. Scott "jumped" the son's claim 
and laid out the town of Girard. Then followed the contest so famous in 
tJ'.at section of the state, between the railroad land grants and the settlers, 
which ended so disa.strously to so many of the Crawford County settlers, the 
Davidsons among the number. 

After having spent much time and money on the improvement of these 
claims and then losing them. Mr. Davidson resolved to seek a location, and 
an opportunity for investment farther west in the state. After prospecting 
for a location for some time, he moved with his family to the little town 
of Chellis, in "Woodson County. This was in the spring of 1870. In Sep- 
tember of that year he piychased a controlling interest in the town site of 
Chellis and on September 24 changed its name to Kalida— a Greek word, 
meaning beautiful— certainly a most appropriate name— for a more 
beautiful si<e for village, town or city it would be impossible to find in any 
state in the I.Tnion. 

Here he lived for nearly a third of a century, to the date of his death 
in 1889. Besides his town interests he became a stock raiser of great mag- 



Si 2 riisTORY of all en Axn 

iiitiKk' and was known far and wide as a most successful trainer of oxen. 
Tiirough skill which he had acquired when a boy on his father's farm iu 
Western Pennsylvania. Many a yoke of oxen trained by him became com- 
jietitors of the "ii'oii horse" in the " freitrhting business'" on the ^\"estern 
plains. 

His chief ambition in the early days of his settlement of AVoodsou 
County was directed toward the improvement of Kalida. He "laid otf" 
nore town lots, broadened its streets, and laid the foundation for a met- 
ropolis, had not fortune ruled to the contrary. In 1873 Woodson County 
became involved in a "county seat war," with Kalida as the strongest con- 
testant in the field. Kalida won. but within less than four months a new- 
election changed the location to Defiance, three miles east of Kalida. 

J\Ir. Davidson always stoutly insisted that there were enough illegal 
V(rtes east in the election of February. 1874. to entitle Kalida to a majority 
r.r the bona fide voles of the county, if the same could be determined. Many 
prominent citizens shared his views. ITe may have had some knowledge of 
"irregularities" on election day. and naturally sought some explanation for 
the defeat of Kalida. but the fact remains that the figures at this day. as 
shown by the official election returns, w^ould hardly warrant, necessarily, 
the conclusion which he drew. In the election of November I-!. 187:-!. the 
vc te was as follows: Kalida. 530: Defiance. 506: total. 1.036: ma.iority 
for Kalida. 24. In the election in question — that of February 23. 1874— 
the vote was Kalida. 491: Defiance. 643: total. 1.134: a majority for De- 
fiance of 152. In this election it appears that Kalida was 49 votes under 
her previous vote and Defiance 137 votes above. The total vote cast at 
the second election wa.s but 102 votes above that of the first. However, 
whether irregularities existed or not. after that second election both Kalida 
and Defiance were short-lived towns. 

The following year Kalida dropped out of the fight, and a contest 
among the villages of Defiance. Neosho Falls and Yates Center (the latter 
located in the geographical center of the county) took place, in which none 
of the places received a majority of the votes cast, the vote being as follows : 
Neosho Falls. 301 : Defiance. 235 : Yates Center, 335 : total. 871. This neces- 
sllated a final election in September 1876. in which Yates Center was the 
victor, receiving 488 votes to Neosho Falls. 426. the total vote cast being 914. 
Thus ended "Woodson County's "county seat war." and with it ended 
the dream of Kalida. "The Beautiful." 

One year later both Defiance and Kalida were moved bodily to Yates 
Center, but Kalida still lives in the name "Kalida Farm." now one of the 
mo't beautiful of the prairie farms of the Sunflower state, made so by the 
persistent and indomitable energy of its owner. Thomas H. Da^^dson. He 
had nothing of the "sonr" in his disposition: he yielded gracefully to the 
popular will and went incessantly to work to develop a beautiful farm on 
the ruins of his town. 

There are a few men in a county whom practically everybody laiows. 



WOODSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. 813 

Thomas H. Davidson was one of these. He took a commendable interest in 
luiman atlTairs, and his Republicanism, and his support of "'this or that" 
v.-hich was known to be of good report, were markedly well known. Dur- 
it '^ the life time of Kalida he encouraged its churches, its schools and public 
enterprises by substantial service and aid. He served for years as a member 
of the school boai'd of the Kalida school district, and was an elder in the 
United Presbyterian church from the date of its organization in Pittsburg, 
Pa., in the 50 's to the time of his death. He was the promoter of the 
Woodson Coiint.y "Advocate," published at Kalida. He was one of the 
most honored and respected justices of the peace Woodson County ever had. 
His, knowledge of law was something remarlcable, and especially so since he 
had acquired it by self education. He could have prepared himself and 
l)lead a case before any court in the country. He was a director of the 
Charter Company of the Ft. Scott & Wichita railroad of the early 70's. He 
was a splendid scholar, a deep thinker, and a diverse reader. He was what 
even in this day would be styled a highly cultivated and educated gentle- 
man. ]\Iathematic:: was his special delight, and what to many vcere problems 
of difPeiilty. to him wei'e but i^elf evident truths. Up to the hour of his 
death he took an active interest in everything which tended to the public 
g(.od. He bi ought to Kansas in ca.sh what even today would be called a 
small fortune and sacrificed it all in the interest of the public enterprises in 
which he put his heart and soul. When he died he was in but comfortable 
circumstances so far as this world's goods were concerned, but in good deeds, 
lofty thoughts, kind acts and high ideals, he bequeathed to his family and 
the community in which he lived a rich inheritance. He ever frowned on 
evil and encouraged good, and in memory he lives today as a splendid 
type of our Scotch- American citizenship — an ideal type of those rugged 
pioneer days when the foundation of our commonwealth was laying broad 
and deep. 

Mr. Davidson married Miss Anna M. Mehard. and his widow now oc- 
cupies the Davidson homestead in Woodson County. The Mehards were 
also among the early families of Pennsylvania. James Mehard, Mrs. David- 
s( n's father, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He mai-ried Christian Orr, who 
here him nine children. Of this family, Mrs. Davidson is the sole survivor. 
In the Mehai'd family were foiuid successful farmers, able ministers, a 
n;echanic. and a college professor. 

The union of Thomas H. and Anna (Mehard) Davidson produced seven 
children, five of whom survive and are residents of Kansas: James, the ac- 
tive head of the family in Woodson County; Marguerite; Elizabeth, a 
ti acher in the Topeka High School ; Wm. M., Superintendent City Schools, 
'1 opeka, Kansas, and Samuel, who represents the Columbus Buggy Com- 
])any as a traveling salesman. James Davidson, the oldest son. has passed 
an active life in Woodson County, and is one of the successful farmers of 
the state. AATiile he is a farmer, still his success in other directions as well 
has brought to his efforts ample reward. He is the planner and projector of 



8l4 HISTOKV OF ALI.EN" AND 

the massive ai'chitectural attractions for wliieh tlie Davidson homestead is 
L'oled far and \vi(K'. 



WILLIA^M LVTLE. 

A commodious aud attractive residence standing in the midst of fine 
forest trees is the home of William Lytle. It is located on the bank of 
Cedar creek in Toronto township, \Voodt,ou County, aud in its neat aud 
tlirifty appearance the farm indicates the careful superiuteudence of a pro- 
gressive owner. 

A native of Randolph County, Indiana. Mr. Lytle was born November 
6. 18-15, a sou of Ceorge and Mary (Toles) Lytle, both of whom were natives 
oi' Virginia. When young people his parents removed to Indiana and were 
married in that state, with whose historj- they were familar at an early 
period in the development and improvement of that portion of the country. 
Mrs. Lytle died in Indiana, when sixty years of age, and Mr. Lytle, long 
siirviving her, passed away at the age of seventy-four. They were the 
I)arents of ten children, William being the eighth in order of birth. With 
his parents he remained until eighteeu years of age, and in the meantime 
he attended the connuon schools. He then went to Warren County, Iowa, 
where he worked in a brick j-ard for two years, and in 1868 he came to 
Kansas, settling in the southeasteru jiart of Woodson County, where he 
honiesteaded eighty acres of land, giving his attention to its improvement. 

Having thus made preparations for a home of his own Mr. Lytle was 
united in marriage to Miss ^lary Burger on the 17th of January, 1871, 
aud found a faithful compauiou for life's journey. She is a native of 
Iowa, au accompliKhed lady who came to Kansas with her brother, Dr. 
Burger, and for four j'ears prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching 
school in Woodson County. They have never had any children, but have 
lived happily together for thirty years, their mutual love and confidence 
ii creasing as the years have gone by. 

After Jlr. Lytle had secured his title to his homestead he sold the 
property and came to Toronto township, purchasing one hundred and sixty 
acres of land where he now resides, seven miles northeast of Toronto on 
Cedar creek, where he has made a good home, his beautiful residence proving 
one of the most charnung features in the landscape. He was at one time 
finite extensively engaged in the stock business, but failing health in later 
years has prevented him from handling the large number of cattle which 
annually claimed his attention at an earlier period. In 1896 he wa-s elected 
ciiunty commissioner and served in that capacity for three years as a capable 
and trustworthy otTRcer. He has also served as clerk of Perry township. 
S'larting out in life for himself when a boy of eighteen years, dependent 
entirely upon his own resources, he has labored euergetically and per- 
s:>tiii11y and has always bi-en enabled to provide his wife with a good 



AvOiJD.siJN coi'ntik:;. Kansas. 815 

'VioTiie and surrt)uiKl.s Iier now witli all the eoiiiforts and iiiaiiy of the luxuries 
of life. His has been ati honortihle success, and today he is one of the highly 
II sppcti'd citizens of his adoptrd county. 



WILLIAM i\l. WKIDE. 

F^evv of the native sons of Woodson County can claim Forty years 
residence within its bord^is, hut William M. Weide was born here in pioneer 
times, his natal day beinji' March 2:3, 1861, and frojn that time to tlic 
present he has eontinuwl his home within the borders of the county — a 
w(n-thy representative of its fai'miny- and stock raising interests. He is 
the youngest of the four childi'cn of (Godfrey Weide. who came to America 
i!'f)ni (ierniany in 1857, and took \ip his al)ode in Woodson County — during 
tiie territorial daj's of Katrsas. Upon the home farm our subject was born 
and reared and the schools of the neighborhood atforded him the educa- 
tional privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He lived wilh his parents 
until twenty-three years of age when he was married. 

That important event in his life occurred in 1884, the lady of his 
^choice being Miss Thersa Hauersfeld. a native of Germany who. in her 
girlhood, was brought from the fathei'laml to the new world in 1880, the 
f < mily .settling in Woodson ('ounty. Mr. Weide had one hundred and sixtj' 
iicre.s at the time of his marriage, and upon the farm the young couple 
Ijtgan theii' domestic life. As the years liave pass-ed he has increased his 
acreage until he now owns a valuable tract of four hundred and eighty acres 
tjvided into fields which are richlj' cultivated and into pastures which are 
well stocked. He has about eighty head of cattle and horses sufficient to 
do the farm work, and before Tnany years shall have passed he will he 
accounted one of the leading farmers and stock raii-ers of this part of the 
slate. He has already gained a position in agrieultur'al circles which is en- 
viable, and the years are conlinnally addiiiu' I0 his prosperity as the direct 
rcsidt of cai'efully directed labor. 

There are seven child len in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Weide, 
namely: Elmer. Albert, Aithur. Amanda, Wallace, Martha and Freddie, 
i\\] of whom are yet under parental i-oof, the family circle being unbroken 
by the hand of death. Mr. Weide has never figured in politics, preferring 
to devofe his attention in undivided manner to his business interests, which 
have been .^-o conductiMl as to bring to him a i-cady financial reward. 



JOSEPH N. SHANNON. 

Man's success is not reckoned entirely from the amount of leal and 
personal property which he has acquired, as he is also judged by the use 
lie makes of his we;dtli and tlie manner in which it has been gained. These 



.'lO HISTinRV ^>P AI.LKN A;<vri 

Hiree ilouieiits outer inio the jiulgiiieiit wliieii the piiMie jmsses upoir 
every ei:i/en. and in the ease of Mr. Shannon tlie judtriueut which has 
been given is a very favorable one. He is held in the highest regard by 
all who know him for his career has ever been in harmony with sterling 
principles, and his public and private career are alike above reproach, lie 
i . now residing in the town of Vernon, which is a monument to his enter- 
prise and progressive spirit, for he was its founder. 

A native of Wyth County, Virginia, he was born July 7. 1849, and is 
u sou of Thomas and Matilda i Brown) Shannon, both natives of the Old 
Dominion, tlie latter born in \Vyth County. Thos. Shannon was a mer- 
ehaut and farmer who carried on agricultural pursuits on an extensive scale, 
but his farm lay in that region over which the contending armies in the Civil 
war passed, and the place was left in ruins. Selling the land, he was forced 
to take his pay in Confederate money, which became worthless, and he thtis 
lc•^t the earnings of many years. In 18Gr> he removetl his family to Attica, 
Fountain County. Indiana, arriving there with only money enough to pur- 
chase a ciiw. He had been one of the leading intiuential citizens of the 
co'Jinnuiity in which he resided in the South. For many yeai-s he served 
i;is! justice tvf the peace and. as chief .justice of the board of justices, he had to 
attend all the courts of the county and otRciate therein. After removing to 
Iiidiana he lived in Fountain County for eight yeai-s and. in 1S73 came to 
Kansas, and pas ed his remaining years with his .son Joseph on the farm. 
U' w partially the townsite of Vernon. Here he died in 1874. at the age 
if ;')8 years, his wife passing away in 1883. at the age of seventy-three. 
They were the parents of five children, three of whom yet survive, namely : 
Jeseph, George and ^Irs. Mary Bates, the last two named now living in 
Anacortes, Washington. 

Joseph X. Shannon was the third member of the family. He attended 
tl'.e common schools and later pursued a high school course in Attica. In- 
diana, after which he engaged in teaching scliool for two years. He then 
came to Kansas v.ith his parents and purchased three hundred and twenty 
acres of land from the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Hailroad Company. He 
still owns this valuable property. For two years after his arrival in 
^Vood^■on County he engaged in teaching school, and then returned to In- 
diana for his bride. There on the 10th of January, 1876, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Claypool. of Fountain County. Through the 
five succeeding years he was identified with the educational interests of this 
coTuity and then entered into partnership with .-V. Van Slike. under the firm 
name of Van Slike & Shannon, dealers in hardware in Yates Center. For 
four years they successfully carried on business and then Mr. Shannon re- 
turned to the farm. In 1886 he laid off the town of Vernon and embarked in 
general merchandising, btiilding up a large trade which necessitates his 
carrying an extensive stock of goods. His patronage has steadily increased, 
and his sales bring to him a very gratifying income. He also began dealing 
<n hav and t^c tv.-o Htics of bn^incss brinsr liim in thirty-five thousnn 1 >}o]- 



"WOODSON COUNTrKt.. KANSAS. Si .7 

fiars aiJimaJly. In addition he owns sixtt-en hundred and tw.'uty acres of 
land near Veinon. of wliifli he has about two hundred and fifty acres 
iindei' cultivation, while the leniainder is pasture and meadow land. He 
handles lai-ge numbers of cattle, horses and mules, buying, feeding and 
shipping, and this foi'uis an imjjoi'tant branch of his businesjs. Mv. Shan- 
non's liibors have not only proven of great benefit to himself but have been 
of value to the fai-ming community around Vernon, furnishing a market for 
produce and stock. Ho has won the distinction of being what the public 
calls "a .self-made man." He came to Kansas with little ca[)ital and with 
an invalid father and mother to support, but with undaunted courage he 
undertook the task and has found that indus'ry and determination can 
succesi-;fully cope with an adverse fate and in the end gather the lich 
tieasurcs of success. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shannon has been blessed with six children, 
as follows: Myra E.. wife of William TI. Roberts, oi Perry. Oklahoma: 
Arthur C. Thomas W., who is operating his father's farm; Xelson C, who 
is clerking in his father's store: Mary E. and Ilai'old E.. at home. Al- 
though he has led a very busy life. Mi'. Shannon has always found time 
1: devote to the higher, holier duties of life afTecting the welfare 
(.)■ man. Tjong a faithful member in the Methodist Episcopal church, he has 
been particularly active in Sunday school work, realizing the importance of 
1'aining the young. He has therefore taken a deep interest in establishing 
and conducting Sunday schools throughout the county, organizing many 
schools at one time making Woodson County the banner county in this 
repect in Kansas. He was influential in organizing the Methodist I'^piscopal 
c'luj-eh in Vei-non, and the house of worshii) was erected largely with funds 
which he provided for the purpose. In his political views he is a Ke- 
publican. The measure of his work in the world cannot be estimated until 
his influence had ceased to be felt in the lives of those with whom he has 
come in contact, but it is well known that he has been a potent factor in 
husiness. and in the material prosperity of the count.y, and that his labors 
hnxe been a source of inspiration and encouragement to many in the line 
of moral progress. 



.TACOR PHY. 

A good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section thirty-two 
P'minence township is the property of Jacob Fry and is an indication of 
tlie manner in which he spends his days, his time being occupied with the 
labors of fiehl and meadow. He came to AA^'oodson County in 1870 from 
Berks County. Pennsylvania, which was the place of his birth. There he 
fiist opened his eyes to the light of day September 20. 184.'>. His grand- 
father. Jacob Fry. spent his entire life in the Ke.vstone state and died 
vhen our subject was a small boy. The latter is a son of Henry Fry who 



.SiS HrSTORV OF ALLriS .aSi"' 

was leaieil in Birk;: Coiuity. the family liouie being a short distance north- 
eiist of Reading. The father was a laborer and spent his entire life in hi» 
native state, dying in 1876, when he had reached the very advanced age 
oi ninety-three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Moser, 
and was a danghttr of Charle? Moser. Both the Closers and the Prys were 
Pennsylvania-Germans, the respective families being founded in the Key- 
stone state at an earl.y day. Mrs. Fry passed away prior to her husband's 
demise, her death occurring in 1873. This worthy couple were the parents 
of the following children : Betsy, deceased wife of M. Otthias : Polly, who 
is the widow of Christian Lang and resides in Pennsylvania : Catherine, wife 
0? Charles Ridenour of Burks county: Sarah, deceased wife 
oi Ephraim Long; Hannah, who is the widow of John Wise and resides in 
Philadelphia : Charle;^. of Missouri ; Matilda, deceased wife of Louis Dona' 
man ; Jacob, of this review ; Caroline, wh<^ has passed away, and Rebecca, 
wife of Alfred Oswald, of Yates Center. 

Jacob Fry. whose name begins this record spent his early youth in his 
native cotinty, and at the age of twelve years began work in the rolling 
mill. He I'emained with one company for eighteen years and learned roll- 
ing and i)uddling. becoming an expert in those lines. . He then left the iron 
fields and spent two years as a farm Iiaiul in ITuntington County. Penn- 
sylvania, after which he came to Kansas in 1879, took up his abode upon his 
\'-\rm in Woodson County, and has i-ince given it his attention. 

While in Pennsylvania, in 1862. Mr. Frye was joined in wedlock to 
Miss Amanda Webb, of Merztoxni. and Iheir marriage was blessed with 
the following children: Ella, who became the wife of David Hicks, of 
Colfax. Washington, but is now deceased: Charles: Daniel: Matilda, wife 
of John Owens, and Susie wife of Otto Brc*t, of Chanute, Kansas: Mary, 
wife of David Hicks, of Yates Center: Frank. Louise and Henry, who are 
s'ill under the parental roof. In his political views I\lr. Fry is a Democrat, 
but has never been an office seeker. His life has been one of marked in- 
dustry and to this he owes his prosperity. Dependent upon his own re- 
smrces from the early age of twelve years he has worked his way con- 
tinuously upward, overcoming all obstacles by determined purpose and reso- 
lute will. 



EXSION MORSE. 

Few of the farmers of Perry township. Woodson County, have so long 
resided in this locality as Fnsign IMorse. who came in 1869 and has since 
b(en identified with agricultural interests in this community. He is there- 
fore numbered among the pioneer settlers and has witnesfed the changes 
which have been wrought so rapidly as to make the transformation seem 
a'most phenomenal. 

^Ir. Morse is a native of Xew York, his birth having occurred in Oswego 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 



819 



County, iu tho town of Hastings, July 3, 1835. The family were originally 
fiom Connecficnt. His f;randfather, Benjamin Morse, was a soldier of the 
war of 1812, and spent the greatei' part of his active life in Windsor County, 
Vermont. In 1833 the family was fomided in New Yoi'k. Daniel Morse, 
the fatl'.er of our sub.ject. wa.s born in Windsor County, Vermont and, be- 
eominsi; an agriculturist, followed the tillini; of the soil for a livelihood until 
his labors were endtd in death in Allen County, Kansas, in 1880. In the 
lOmpire state he married Christine Mosier, who died in Oswego Comity, New 
York, in 1850. The children of this mari'iage wei'e : Hepsibeth, deceased 
wife of James McKee; Fi'eeman, who died in (!rand Rapids, Michigan: 
Wearl'ani, of Oswego County, New Yoi'k, and Ensign. 

The last named was reared in the county of his nativity until twenty- 
one years of age. He then learned the carpenter's trade but followed it 
for only a short time when he began work on the New Yoik & Erie canal as a 
driver on the tow-path. He was promoted to a position in which he was re- 
sponsible for the operation of the craft and was given fifteen dollars per 
month and later twenty dollars. From his wages he managed to save 
enough to engage in the same line of business on his own account, pur- 
chasing a half intei-e-t in a small boat called the Austria. The investment 
I)roved profitable and subsequently he became half owner of a larger boat, 
(he Manchestei'. which he operated until 18G8. when he disposed of that 
hnsiness. 

The following year Mr. iMorse came to Kansas on a pro.specting toni'. 
He started on the 12th of July and, being pleased with the countr.y, in 
August he purchased a claim from John Hanks, a cousin of Abraham Lin- 
c(iln, who, although a man of means, had "taken it up" and built a .small 
shant.v upon it. Into this Mr. Morse moved his family. He entered and 
pioved up one hundred and si.\ty acres on section thirty-four. Perry town- 
sl'ip. and his home is now on the southwest qiuirtiM" of the same section. 
For about ten years after coming to the county he had difficulty in meet- 
ing hh expenses, for crops were poor, advantages few and railroad facilities 
did not offer ready acees^^ to market. As time passed, however, his financial 
resources increased and today he is the owner of a valuable farm of three 
h.indred and eighty acres, the greater part of which is inider a high state 
of cultivation. About 1871 ]\Iessrs. Morse, Sharp, Dana and Redfield were 
the only men who owned deeded land in school district No. 21. The "home- 
steaders'' voted bonds to the value of a thousand dollars to build a school 
house, and Mr. Morse, owning a half section of the deeded land, was a.ssessed 
one-half the taxes necessary to support the school. This tax he was not able 
to stand long and he was forced to sell his half section, but as the years have 
l)assed he has pi'ospered and his labors have brought to him a rich return. 

On the 1st of February, ISfil, in Oswego County. New York. Mr. Morse 
was united in marriage to Miss Mai'tha, a daughter of Ceorge White, who 
had formerly resided in Onondago County. He mari'ied iMargaret Rice and 
they becnnii' the parents of five daughters and a son: I\Iary, now the 



820 tllSTOKY OF ALLKN AND 

vvidoAV of Jacol) Kilts, of Oswego County. New York : Chloe. wife of Barney 
Kilts, also of Oswejro County; ilartha; Elizabeth, of Sioux Palls, South 
Dakota, wife of Carsius Browu : George of Oswego County, and Lois, widow 
of Richard Claiip. of Siou.K Falls. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morse 
has been blessed with six children : Milo. who died when seven years of age: 
Bertram D., born 'Slay 11. 1869: Alphonso. who died in 1898, at the age of 
twenty-five years: Minnie, who died at the age of five: Manzel E., who de- 
parted this life when four years of age, and Jessie, who was born September 
20, 1878, and is the wife of George L. MeCarter. of Wilson County, Kansas. 
In politics the early Morses were Democrats but their views on the 
slaveiy question led them to espouse the cause of the Abolition party, and 
later to join the Republican party, of which Mr. Morse of this review was 
an advocate until the Streeter campaign, when he .joined the Union Labor 
forces and since that time he has allied himself with the Populist party. He 
has served as ji;stice of the peace and constable of Perry township and has 
ever been found a loyal and piiblie-spirited citizen, willing to co-operate in 
any movement for the general good. The power of diligence and persistency 
in the active affairs of life is indicated by his career for those qualities have 
eriabled him to rise from a humble financial position to- one of affluence. 



FREDERICK KLUCKHUHN. 

The fathej-land has been a liberal contributor to the citizen.ship of 
America and the sons of Germany do credit to their native land and to 
tl.'eir adopted country. As his name indicates, Mr. Kluckhuhn was born 
m Germany, having first opened his eyes to the light of day in Lippe-Det- 
mold, September 21. 1827. his pai'ents being Court and Louisa (Littleman) 
Kluckhuhn. The father was a farmer by occupation and lived and died in 
Germany, where his wife also spent her entii-e life. They reared three child- 
ren to maturity, namely: Frederick: Ernest, who died in "Woodson County 
in 1891. and Wilhelmina. who married Adolph Stark of Lippe-Detmold. 

In the schools of his native land Mr. Kluckhuhn of this review pur- 
sued his education and M'hen twenty-one years of age he became a member 
ot the German army, serving for one year. In early life he learned the 
brick maker's trade and followed that pursuit for twenty-six years before 
coming to America, being master of a brick yard for a long period. Tie was 
also married in the fatherland, on the 1st of April. 1863. the lady of his 
choice being Sophia Bergman, a daughter of Frederick Bergman. 

In 1870 they sailed for the new world, making the voyage from Bre- 
men to Baltimore, whence Mr. Kluckhuhn proceeded aci'oss the country to 
AVoodron County, where he .joined the German settlement residing on Owl 
creek. For twelve years he resided in Center townshiii and then removed 
lo Belmont township where he has since lived, his home being on section 
fouiteen. where he has five hundred and twenty-six acres of land. 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 82 I 

In Kansas Mr. and i\Irs. Kluekhuhn have reared their family of five 
children, namely : Julia, wife of August Fell, of Toronto township, Wood- 
son County; Augusta: Mary, wife of Noah Rogers, also of the same 
county ; Frederick and Martha, who are still with their parents. Our sub- 
ieet and his wife belong to the German Evangelical church. In America he 
has found the business opportunities he sought and has never Jiad occasion 
• i; regret leaving tlie little German home aci'oss the sea to identify himself 
with this republic. His labor has been rewarded with competence, and his' 
v.trth is recognized and acknowledged in the warm regard of the many 
tiiends he has made in liis adopted county. 



GEORGE W. ROGERS. 

Well known to a large circle of acquaintances in Woodson County as a 
valued citizen, honored veteran of the Civil war, and as an enterprising 
farmer. George W. Rogers well deserves representation in this volume and 
we herewith present his; record to our readers. He was born in Shelby 
County, Illinois, October 13, 1839, and represents an old southern family. 
His grandfather. Thomas Rogers, resided in Tennessee, but at an early day 
removed to Indiana, taking up his abode there about 1823. He married 
Sooky Jennings, and unto them were born five sons and three daughters, 
of whom Andrew J., William and Josiah all reared families in Illinois, 
v.-hile James and Thomas reared families in this state. The daughters wei'e 
Patsy, who became the wife of William Daniels and at her death left five 
children, residents of Missouri and Kansas; Fannie, who became 'Sirs. Fan- 
ning, later Mrs. Phillips and after the death of her second husband mar- 
I'ied Jonas Daniels, her last days being passed in Missouri, and MiUie. who 
became the wife of Cyrus Daniels. She was a second time married and died 
in Illinois. 

Andrew J. Rogers, the father of our sub.ject. was born near Beards- 
trwn, Illinois, and was a farmer and blacksmith. He died in Missouri in 
1896. at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Nancy Sherrill. departed this life in Illinois. Their children were : Francis, 
v.ho entered the Rebel army and lost his life in the service: Martha J., 
widow of Henry Thomas and a resident of the Chickasaw Nation of the In- 
dian Territory: James, who died in the army: George W. : William A., of 
( hieo. Texas : ]S[ary. wife of William Daniels, also of the Chickasaw Nation ; 
l-ouisa. widow of James Thomas, of Chico, Texas: Nancy, wife of Jacob 
Painter, of Wilson County, Kansas. 

George W. Rogers spent his boyhood days in Illinois and Missouri, 
his father removing to Laclede County. Missouri, in 1853. There he re- 
sided for six years and with some members of the family he came to Kansas, 
locating first in Belmont township. Woodson County, upon section twenty- 
tliree. This was in the year 1859. In August, 1861, he enlisted at Leaven- 



82 J HISTOkV OF ALLEN AND 

worth, Kansas, in eoiiipany E. Fifth Kansas cavalry under Colonel Powell 
Clayton. The regiment was attached to the western department and saw 
service in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. He 
participated in the battles of Pine Bluff and Helena and in many lesser en- 
S^agementK, first meeting the enemy in battle at Dry Wood creek, near Fort 
Fort. In 1864 he re-enlisted at St. Charles. Arkansas, and served until the 
close of the war, reachin" home on the 17th. of July, 1865. 

After his return home Mv. Rogers secured a homestead— a place now 
owned by Reuben Moore— and since that time has resided within the 
boundaries of Belmont township. He is the owner of the south half of 
the southeast quarter of section fourteen and the north half of the north- 
east quarter of section twenty-three Belmont township, where he carries on 
farming operations and finds in the cultivation of the soil a profitable labor. 

On the 31st. of May, 1866, Mr. Rogers was married in Wilson County, 
Kansas, to Mis-s Julia A. Daniels, a daughter of Reuben Daniels, who was 
born in Shelby County, Illinois, and wedded Mary A. MeGuire, of Tennes- 
see. They had six children : William. John. Jarett and Alcy, now deceased : 
Mrs. James AVicks. Mrs. Rogers and Jemiua, who has also passed away. 
Mrs. Rogers was born March 4, 1844, and by her marriage has become 
ihe mother of five children, namely: Noah, who wedded Mary Kluckhuhn 
and is living in Woodson County: Charles, who married HattieDupuy and 
is living in Woodson County; Maggie, Warren and Willard, who are still 
a I home. 

Mr. Rogers believes sincerely in Repu])lican principles and has been 
hvinored with several public offiets to which he has been elected as a Re- 
publican. He has served as township trustee and treasurer, also to\A'nship 
clerk and as clerk and treasurer of the school board. On the field of battle 
li( was a fearless and loyal soldier and in all the relations of life he is as 
true and faithfid to his honest convictions and to the trust reposed in him. 



ADOLPH TOEDMAN. 

ADOLPH TOEDMAN. one of the leading stock-raisers of Woodson 
County, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, March 24, 1855, and has 
b(en a resident of southeastern Kansas since the age of eleven years. His 
father, Adolph Toedman, Sr.. was also a native of Lippe-Detmold. born in 
1823, and there he married Louisa Goideke. In his native land he accumu- 
lated some property and on coming to America was enabled to gain a good 
slart in business life and thus provide for the support of his wife and their 
six children. He arrived in AYoodson County in 1866 and settled on Owl 
creek, four miles east of Yates Center. He made improvements upon a tract 
o!' land of eighty acres on section eight. Center township, which tract is still 
in possession of the family. He made his home in that neighborhood 
throughout his remaining days and in addition to the development and culti- 





£:^5"^^ 



•WOODSON COU^'TIES. .KANSAS. S'j;', 

■Mit'ion of his laud he engaged extensively and successfully in raising sheep, 
tattle and horses. This proved a profitable en'erpris;e and his stock 
brought good prices on the market. As his financial re:;ourees were aug- 
a;iented he added to his land and by judicious investments eventually be- 
c; uie the owner of eleven hundied and sixty acres. He was a man of ex- 
cellent business and executive abilitj. his judgment being rarely at fault, 
and his success stands in unmis-akable evidence of his well directed labors 
and keen discrimination. a« well as his consecutive endeavor. 

In 1882 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and a decade 
h'ter he passed away, leaving to his family a valuable tstate. Their children 
aie Adolph: Henry, of AVoods(m County, born in 1858; Louisa, the wife 
of Luther C. Baker, of Allen Ccninty, Kansas ; Fred, Ernest J. and "William, 
a!' of Woodson County. 

Adolph Toedman, the eldest of the family and the inuiiediate subject 
of this review, has spent almost his entire life in Woodson County. He was 
reared amid the wild .'cenes of the frontier and acquired his education in the 
Toedman school house. For nearly five years he was employed as a farm 
hand in the county and then joined his father and brothers in business— the 
association with the latter being since continued. They have carried on 
farming and stock-raising and the cattle, horses and sheep seen in their 
stables and pastures indicate a thriving and propernus business. Already 
the possessors of a fine property, they are continually adding thereto, and 
they belong to the class of enterprising, active and energetic men who pro- 
mote the general welfare as well as individxial property and advance the 
lUiblic good. They give their political support to the Republican party 
and the subject of this review takes quite an active interest in political 
questions, although office holding has no attraction for him. His church 
agricultural circles where his word is regarded as strictly trustworthy, this 
relationship is with the Evangelical denomination. He is widely known in 
hoving been pro^^d through years of an honorable business career. 



HENRY H. WINTER. 

HI^NRY H. WINTER is an example of the self-made American citi- 
v.vn. Flis history is an exemplification of the progress that an ambitious 
man can make in a country of unbounded opportunities. His singular suc- 
cess is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his laudable am- 
bition placed before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of 
henest endeavor and persevering effort, characteristics that Mr. Winter po.s- 
sesses in an eminent degree. He is entirely free from ostentation and dis- 
■phiy. and though he is now numbered among the most substantial citizens of 
^Voodson County, he is a man of the people and the humbh st person of up- 
right character may claim him as a fi-iend. 

ITenrv H. Winter was born in York, Pennsylvania, March 21, 184fi. 



--4 RrrsToRV OF Ar.I.EX A!7r> 

Ills irramilather was Jolm Winter who died in early manhood. The ua- 
tiunali'y ot the family is uncertain for the family records were not pre- 
served and the name is found among; many people, including the English, 
((-rmans and Scotch, and even among the Latin races. Henry Winter, the 
fathn' of our subjee'. was born in York. Pennsylvania, in 1816 and fol- 
lowed farming and blaeksmithing. He spent his entire life in the place 
of hi^■ birth, his death occurring in 1801. He was one of the prominent men 
and worthy citiiens of his conunnnity. He married Miss Catherine Dietz, 
^vho died in York, in 1882. Of their six children five are yet living in the 
\icinity of the old homestead, namely: Isaiah: Elizabeth, the wife of' 
•Joseph StantVer: Jacob: Mary A., the wife of Henry Matthews, and Leah, 
the wife of Joseph Loyd. 

Mr. Winter, whose name introduces this record, was the third in order 
of birth, and upon the old home farm in the Keystone state he was reared. 
He is a gradiuite of the York high school and for a time he was a student 
in the normal school at Millersville, Pennsylvania. When twenty-two years 
of age he began teaching and after following that profession for si.x years 
he joined an engineering corps in the employ of the Peach Bottom Narrow 
(■ange Railroad Company, but the financial panic which spread over the 
country in IST:} put an end to all lailroad work and Mr. AVinter then fol- 
lowed Horace Greeley's advice to young men and came to the west. He first 
took up his abode in Stephenson County. Illinois. He had no capital, but 
possessed great energy, a strong constitution and a resolute spirit, and he 
set to work to wrest fortune from the hands of an adverse fate. At first he 
followed teaching there and later embarked in the lumber trade on his 
own account, borrowing the capital with which to purcha.se a yard. That en- 
terprise proved successful and he was soon enabled to pa.v otf all indebted- 
ness. For seven years he was engaged in the lumber trade in Atlantic. Iowa, 
and then disposed of his interests there and came to Woodson County. Kan- 
sas, where for a time lie was engaged in the cattle business and followed 
farming to anr.e exttnt. He has been a resident of this county since 188:? 
and in 1885 succeeded the firm of Diekerson & Opdyke. in the banking 
business in Yates Center. In 1887 he assumed active control of the bank 
and has since built up one of the strongest institutions in this portion of the 
state. The safe, reliable policy which he has followed has been the means 
of largely increasing the business which is transacted over his counters 
iind the bank is therefore able to annually declare a good dividend. 

AVhile residing in Stephenson County. Illinois, Mr. Winter was mar- 
ried on the "ith. of October. 1875. to IMiss Flora Sabin. a daughter of Ralph 
Sabin. and they now have four daughters: Clara, who is a graduate of the 
mu.'ical department of the Kansas St.nte University: Alice and Blanche, of 
the Yates Center high school, and Frances, who is still pursuing her studies. 
Mr. AYinter was reared in the faith of the Democracy with which party his 
pi ople have always been allied until within a decade. But since the princi- 
ple:: advocated by "William Jennings Br.van have been ine>"n..rnt,.l into the 



Tx'OODSO'N COUNTIES. KANSAS. S25 

l.'eiiiociafi(.' iilatforiii, Henry H. Wiutei' has triveii his support to the Kepub. 
lican party. 'J'lie fpialily which wins Mr. Winter's fiiendship and admira- 
tion is uprightne.ss of ciiarac'er. He is easily approachaljle, showing great 
coiirte:y to all with whom he eomts in contact. lie never acts except 
JVoin honest motives and in all his varied relations in business affairs and 
in social life he maintains a eharactei- and standing that have impressed 
all wilh his sincere and manly piii])ose to do by others as he would have 
others do bv him. 



JOHN F. AK.MSTRONG. 

JOHN F. Al\.MSTU().\'<i. of Toronto, has been a resident of Woodson 
bounty for fifteen years, and is extensively engaged in dealing in cattle and 
hr gs. A native of (jib.son County, Indiana, he was horn October 11, 1S52. 
and is a son of William Armstrong, a farmer by oecupalion. who removed 
f'om Vander})urg County to Cihson County about IH.'jO. He was boi'n in 
1822. and sj)ent his entire life in sovithein Indiana, where he was extensively 
engaged in farming, his well-directed efforts bringing to him a comfortable 
competence. Pie married Emily Smith and unto thon were born five chil- 
dren who are yet living. In addition to Mr. Armstrong of this review 
they are William, a resident of Cibson County: Warwick: James, and 
P'nkney. who are also residents of that fonnty. The father of this family 
died in 1878, but the mother is still living and yet resides in Oibson County. 

No event of special importance oeeuri'ed to vary the routine of farm 
life for ]\Ir. Arm.'^trong in his youth. He remained with his j)arents until 
tv.enty years of age and through practical experience became familiar with 
the work of field and meadow. He then left Indiana in the year 1881, and 
n aking his way westward took up his abode on the Vei'digris river in Wood- 
son County. Kansas, where he carried on farniint; on an extensive scale. He 
next came to Toronto and began buying and shipping stock, which line of 
business has since occupied his attention. He raises, feeds and trades in 
cattle and boirs, and is one of the leading live stock dealers of this part of 
tlie county, his shipments being extensive. 

In Gibson County, Indiana. Mr. Armstrong was united in married 
t( Mijs Lucinda Mauk. and unto them were born four children : Frank, 
who married Alice Jones and is associated in business with his father: 
Xora. Delia and Dick, at home. Mr. Armstrong is independpnt in politics. 
Tie has taken the Master degree in Masonry and is connected with the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He possesses the enterprising, progressive 
business spirit of the Avest and his diligent efforts have enabled him to ad- 
vance steadily on the road of prosperity so that he is now numbered among 
the substantial citizens of his adopted county. 



- ?' HISTORY OF ALLES AXfr 

JORDAN W. MASON. 

The subject of this review is a well known business man of Yates Ceu- 
Ui- and an enteiprisino: and popular liveryman of that city. He is one of 
ti-ce jountr men who eanie to Kansas from the east less than a quarter of a 
century ago with his labor as his capital and who has been persistently and 
.continuously the companion of hard work during his residence in Woodson 
County. He became familiar with it first upon his father's farm in Illinois 
and when he was left at the head of a large family, and responsible for 
tiieir welfare to years of accountability, industry was the shield which pro- 
netted them and the benefactor which provided them with the wants of life. 
Though his years number a half century no le-~s than two score of them 
span the period of his life's work. 

Jordan W. ilason was born Octooer 5. 1850. Samuel Mason, his father, 
fras a farmer residing near Miflinville. Pennsylvania, to which point he 
n oved from about Morfeton. New Jersey. He was born at the latter place 
in 1S18, moved from there to ^liflinville. thence to Kendall County. Illinois, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. There were six children in his 
father's family, three sons and three daughters, one surviving. He grew 
to manhood about Miflinville and was there married to Katie Eckroth 
vhose death occurred in Keneiall County, Illinois. Their children were: 
Jordan W. : James: Libbie, wife of Nathan Colthirst. of Remington In- 
diana, and Lmvis E.. John M.. Samviel E. and Lavina ]\I., of Kendall County, 
Illinois, 

Our .subject secured very meager school advantages in the district 
rehools and, when he btcame a num. work was about all he knew. In the 
fi.U of 1877 he came out to Kansas and secured a half section of new land 
in Owl Creek township, preparatory to his removal hence in the spring. 
The next year he unloaded his efFt cts at Neosho Falls with Charles Diver 
ai.d "Ren" Thurber. took possession of his piece of prairie and proceeded 
10 make a farm of it. He resided there some years when he took up his resi- 
(!(=nce in Yates Center and engaged in the butcher business. Changes in 
business were ai)parently rapid front this time on for some years, from 
I'utcher to farmer, teaniRter, freighter from Humboldt to Yates Center, and 
finally jobbing about from one thing to another that would yield a legitimate 
dollar. AYhen work was scarce it he couldn't get his price for doing work he 
took the other man's and thns e.stablished a reputation for industry and re- 
liability. November 20. 1893. he began the livery biisiuess with a stock 
of six ponies, four sets of old harness, three biiggies and a spring wagon. 
His business methods were legitimate and. patronage sought him and pros- 
perity followed in its wake. With success in business came an enlarge- 
ment of his accommodations and expansion of stock and eqnipments to 
n;eet the needs of a well-ordered livery. 

^Ir. Mason was married in YToodson County. Kansas. December 24. 
1882. to Emily Rrodman. a lady of German birth and parentage. She was 
b<M'n in 18fi4 and was brought to the United States by a widowed mother. 



WOODSCIN COUNTIES. KANSAS. 827 

Mrs. Victoria Hrddiiiaii. who died in Yates Ceiitci- in iss;). ;\[i' ;nid Mrs. 
Mason's only eliild is a daushtef, Cecil. 



JOSEPH B. JACKSON. 

JOSEPH B. JACKSON, a farmer and dairyman of Woodson County, 
e.xemplifies in his life the typical western spirit of progress and enter- 
prise whieli has led to the rapid advaneeini nt of this section of the country, 
;in advancemeut so great that it has awakened the astonishment and ad- 
Uiiration of the world. Mr. Jackson has spent the greater part of his life in 
tiie Mississippi valley. He was born in McHenry Comity, Illinois, on the 
4th. of November, 1844. His father, George Jackson, was a native of Eng- 
land, and when eighteen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the New 
World, locating first in Delaware. He mari'ied Miss Maria Hill, a native of 
( oniiecticut, and on lea\ing the east made his way to Fort Dearborn, which 
stood upon the site of the present city of Chicago. There was nothing but 
a trading post at the time on the land now covered by the metropolis abd 
Mr. Jackson became the owner of a number of lots in the small town, 
gaining possession of them through a trade. Upon the pi'operty now stand 
valuable buildings, ten or more stoiies in height, and the land is valued at 
hundreds of thou; ands of dollars. Mr. Jackson, however, made his way into 
the interior of the state, locating in McHenry County, where he spent his 
riinaining days, his death occurring in 1898, at the age of ninety years. 
His widow still survives and is now living in McHenry County, at the 
age of eighty-five years. This worthy couple became the parents of seven 
children and three of the sons volunteered for service in the war of the Re- 
bellion. George loft his life in the battle of Chickamauga. Wilber and 
Joseph B. were members of the Elgin Battery of Light Artillery. 

Joseph B. Jackson was reared on the old homestead farm in McHenry 
County, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. 
\Yhen the cpiestion of slavery brought on sectional differences between the 
north and the south and the country became involved in Civil war he 
.ioined the Elgin Battery and served for eighteen months, participating in 
the engagements at Newburn. Five Forks and Strawberry Plains. He also 
spent some time in front of Knoxville, and w'hen the war ended received an 
honorable discharge, in August, 1865, being not then twenty-one years of 
age. 

After his return from the army Mr. Jackson spent three winters in the 
j.ineries of Wisconsin and during the summer months engaged in farming 
upon rented land. In 1868 he was married, and in 1870 came with his 
family to Kansas, renting a tract of land on the eastern line of Woodson 
County. He there resided for three years, after which he purchased eighty 
acres of prairie land on which he has since made his home, having in the 
meantime e::tended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises two 



S2S HISTORY OF ALLKX AXP 

liiuidred and forty ai'ies. The iihice is divid(>d into ticlds of eonvenient size 
that are hitrhly cultivated, the rieli alluvial ^oil yielding excellent crops. A 
substantial residence, two good barns aiul many of the modern improve- 
ments go to make his farm one of the be>'t in the county. Mr. Jackson is 
ep.gaged in the dairy business, keeping on hand about thirty head of cows 
for this purpose. He is also a stockholder in the creamerj' at Xeosho Falls, 
where he disposes of his dairy products. He got his start in business with 
a capital of three hundred dollars which he saved during his service in the 
army. He has. however, wet with some rivenes. Since coming to Kansas 
a fire destroyed his home, together with all its contents, including clothing 
and provisions, but with resi^lule spirit he set to work to retrieve his lo. t 
possessions, and is now one of the well-to-do ei+izeu- of the count.v. 

Mr. Jackson has been twice married. In ISfiS he wedded Alfaretta 
Brown, who died in 1879. lenvinu' him with four children, namely: Frank 
B., now of Erie, Kansas ; Julia JI., wife of David Henry, who is living ot^ 
fprm in Woodson County: Ora A., wife of Frank Wilson, of Neosho Falls, 
and Harry Elmer, who is opei-ating his father's farm and also material'v 
assists in th.e care of the stock. Tn 1(^80 Mr. JacVson was again married, 
,hi^ second union being with!\Iiss Susan Boley. a native of Illinois, who eanu' 
to Kansas in 1879. The children of this union are: Walter, Edward am' 
May Edna. In his political affiliations he is a Republican and socially 
he is connected with the Grand Army Post at Xeosho Falls. The brave 
and loyal spirit which he manifested _on southern battlefields has always 
been one of his marked characteristics, and has gained for him the confidence 
and irood will of those with whom he has been associated. 



FREDERICK L. ARNOLD. 

Among the early settlers of Woodson County is Frederick L. Arnold, 
and through the long years of residence hei-e. he has been numbered among 
the honorable citizens and representative farmers. His birth occurred in 
Randolph Coimty, Indiana, on the 3th. of September, 1838. His father. 
Lewis Arnold, was a native of South Carolina, and the mother of our sub- 
ject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Lucas, was a native of Clinton 
County. Ohio. As a life work, the father followed farming, and his death 
occurred in the Buckeye state in November. 185fi, when he was sixty years 
of age. His wife survived him many years and passed away in 1SS5 at the 
ase of seventy. They were the parents of len children, of whom seven ai'e 
now living, as follows : William : Lewis : Elizabeth, wife of Abraham 
Thompson : Sarah, wife of John Carver: Prederielv L.. and John. 

I'pon his father's death, Frederick L. Arnold went to Illinois, locating 
in Logan County, where he resided with his brother-in-law. and there 
worked by the month as a farm hand, being thus engaged until after the 
outbreak of the Civil war. His patriotic spirit was thus aroused, and on the 



WOODSON COUNTIIiS. KANSAS. 829 

I'ith. of Aiisnst, 1861, lio eiilisti'd as a iiieiuher of company B, Second Reg- 
iment of Illinois cavalry. He was later transferred to company D of the 
same reiiimerit, and served until the third of January, 186(). He partiei- 
j)ated in the battle of Foil Donelson and Shiloh and in all the engagements 
in which his regiment took part. He was ever found at his post of duty, 
faithfully defending the Stars and Stripes, the emblem of the Union. At 
the eloKe of hoslililies, he was sent to San Antonio, Te.xas, where he re- 
mained for almost a year after the war had ended. 

dn rreeivinif an honorable discharge, Mr. Arnold returned to Illinois, 
and in June, 186fi, came to Woodson County, Kan.sas, locating on Turkey 
creek, five miles west of his pi'esent home. In the spring of 1870 he pur- 
chased one liundred and twenty acres of land where he is now living, ten 
miles northwest of Yates Center, and has here developed a very fine farm. 
Assisted by his son, he is engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. 
They feed some cattle and raise a large number of hogs, and this branch 
of their bui-iness brings to them a good income. 

On the 2oth of February, 1868, Mr. Arnold was joined in wed- 
lock to Miss Helen S. Miller, a native of Darke County, Ohio, who came to 
Kansas in 18.59; a daughtei- of Joseph and Elizalieth E. Miller. Mr. and 
Mrs. Arnold had four ehildi'cn. of whom three are yet living; Dora E., who 
i:-: acting as her father's housekeeper; Warren F., at home, and Nellie M., 
v.'ife of Oeorge W. Mainfield, who is living on a part of the father's farm. 
Mrs. Arnold, who was born October 9th., 1848, died August 8th., 1898, after 
a happy married life of thirty yeai's. 

Ml-. Arnold has fre(|uently been called to pnblic offices. He has served 
Hie people of his township as trustee for six years, and has also been treas- 
uier and clerk of the township for a number of years, while almost con- 
tuiuonsly he has served on the school board. The cause of education has 
found in him a warm friend, and in all his public offices he has discharged 
his duty with marked promptness and fidelity. His life illustrates the 
j)nwer of industry and integrity in business afiCairs. When he came to Kan- 
sas, he had only the money he had saved during the time he spent in the 
a'-my. Investin<x *^his in land, he is to-day the owner of one of the fine 
fiM'ms of his adopted county. Indolence is utterly foreign to his nature, and 
his untiring labor and perseverance have enabled him to overcome all dif- 
ficulties and work his wav to success. 



ALBERT D. COE. 

One of the enterprising young farmers and stock-raisers of Liberty 
tfrwn.shiji, Woodson County, is Albert D. Coe, who was born in Livingston 
County, Illinois, on the 6th. of May, 1873, the second son of All)ert and 
Farsina Coe. He remained in Illinois until eight years of age and then 
accomiianied his parents on their removal to Kansas in 1881. He ac- 



»30 HI,ST()k^ ul- AI.IJCN ANl' 

quired a Icuowledge of the cdiiihiou Englisli biaaclies of learning in the 
district schools and afterward entered the high school of Yates" Center, 
while later he spent two years in the Agrieiiltui'al College, at Manhattan 
Kansas, pursniug the scientific course. At the time of his marriage his 
'.'ather gave him eighty acres of land upon which he has erected a nice hoiu.- 
and is now comfortably situated in life, devoting his energies to the improve- 
ment of his huul and to the raising of .stock. He now has forty head of eal- 
tie. He is also connected with his father and brothers in the raising of hay, 
carrying on the business quite extensively and securing a good income as 
the reward of their labor when the hay is placed upon the market. 

On the .Slst. of March. 1898. Mr. Coe was united in marriage to Miss 
Mabel T. Ro.se. a native of Toronto. Canada, born November 24. 1874, and a 
daughter of Amzi and Lottie Rose. Duiing her early girlhood her parents 
came to Kansas, and her father is now engaged in bnsinei-s in Garnett, 
tl.is state. The marriage of Mr. and Mr.--. Coe has been blessed with one 
cl.'ild, Ruth M., who was born May 23, IftOO. In his political views Mr. 
I fu ir a Republican, but office seeking has no attraction for him. as he pu 
fers to inei-ease his income through the legitimate channels of business, and 
his future wil.l undoubtedly be a successful one. 



JAMES M. PARK. 

JAMES M. PARK, who since 1873 has resided upon his farm in Lib- 
erty township, Woodson County, six miles from Yates Center, has sjient 
his entire life in the Mississippi valley and the enterprising, progressive 
spirit of the west which has wrought the wonderful development of this 
siction of the country is manifest in our subject. He was born in Fulton 
County, Illinois, April 24, 1839. a -son of Aaron and Jane Park. The father 
was a native of South Carolina and when a young man went to Illinois, wheie 
h.^ was mari'ied and spent his leuiaining days, his death occurring in 1840. 
In his family were nine children, six of whom are yet living, namely: John 
V,'.. a resident of Yates Center; William J., of Iowa; Nancy A., wife of M. 
C. McDonald : Mary Kelley and Elizabeth Allen. 

In the state of his nativity James INI. Park was reared and educated, 
and the events of his boyhood were of no very important nature up to 
the time of the Civil war, but when the country became engaged in hostili- 
ties over the attempt at secession of some of the southern states, his patriotic 
spirit was aroused and allliougli he was not in very robust health he en- 
listed iu 1862 as a member of company H, Sixty-third Illinois infantry. 
He participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson and IMissionary 
Ridge, and at the last named was slightly wounded. At the exnii-ation of 
his term of service he was honorably discharged in 1864. 

On the 11th. da.v of February of that year IVIr. Park was united in 
marriage to Miss L\icinda Marple. a native of Bureau County. Illinois, 



WOODSON cooxtie;;. kansas. 831 

^(irn September 4. 184:1 Tier father, David Marple, was a native of W^s't, 
Virginia, vhile lu-r mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wat- 
kins, was a native of Oliio, in which state the parents were married. In an 
■early day in the history of Illinois they removed to that stale, where the 
father died in 1890. at the age of eighty-one years. His widow still sur- 
vives him and is yet living on the old homestead at the ver3' advanced age 
of eighty-eight years. For sixty years they had traveled life's journey to- 
gether when separated by the death of Mr. Marple. They were the i)arents 
^i eleven children, five of whom are yet living: William; Joseph, who re- 
sides in Des Moines. Iowa: Kicliard; Mrs. Park, and Saiah J., wife of 
'J'homas Maston, of Illinois. 

In 1866, two years after their marriage. Mr. and ]\lrs. Park removed 
to Iowa, where Iw purchased a farm, but in 1868 he sold that property and 
I'eturned to Illinois, where he engaged in the operation of rented land until 
1873, when he came with his family to Woodson County and purchased 
c'ghty acres in Liberty township, six miles north of Yates Center. Here 
he has a nice home, which he erected, and many substantial improvements 
on the place stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. 
The home has been blessed with five children: Ola. now the wife of Dr. 
Wood, of lola ; Elizabeth, wife of Fred Park, of Yates Center; Grace, wife 
( r Judson Newton; Richard, who is married and lives on the home farm, and 
Y.illiam, who is yet with his parents. Mr. Park exerci:'es his right of fran- 
chise in sujjport of the men and measures of the Republican party, but does 
not seek office, his farming in'erests claiming and receiving all of his at- 
tention. In retui'u they yield to him a good income and he is thus enabled 
1(1 [irovide comfoi-tably for his family. 



CHARLES 0. MENTZER. 

Almost the entire life of Charles 0. Mentzer has been passed in Wood- 
son County for he canae here when only two years of age with his parents, 
and throughout the period of his youth and manhood he has been connected 
with its agricultural and stock-raising interests. lie was born in Kewanee, 
Henry County, Illinois, the elde.':t son of George and Emma Mentzer, who 
in 1871 left the prairie state for the Sunflower state, taking up their abode 
in Woodson County, five miles northwest of Yates Center, where our .suh- 
iect has since i-esided with the excejition of one year which he spent in Illi- 
nois. In the schools of the ncighboihood be was educated and his training 
at farm work was received under the direction of his father and was of 
t'at practical nature which well fitted him for carrying on the duties which 
now engross his attention. In 1891 he went to his native county on a visit 
and remained for about twelve months, after which le returned to Wood- 
son CoTinty, where he is now engaged in the occupation of stock-raising. 
After his marriase he began farming on his own account in North town- 



^T,2 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

siiip wheifi his father owns a large body of huid, aud now liis place is welf 
>toeked with cattle aud horses to the raising aud sale of which he is de- 
vo'iing his euergies, finding this a profitable souj'ce of revenue. 

On the 18th of October. 1S93, Mr. Meutzer was joined in wedlock to 
Miss Nettie Wells, one of Kansas' native danghteis. her parents being 
Thur.ston and Salouia Wells. Five children have come to bless their uuiou, 
l.^anely: Gladys, Paul and Paulina; twins, George and Herbert. Mrs. 
Meutzer 's father was a native of New York and when a young man went 
to Iowa, where he married Miss Saloma Crandall, a native of Ohio. They 
afterward removed to Kansas in 1870, where Mr. Wells made his home 
iintil death in June 3, 1893. Of his j-even children four are yet living- 
Frank; William, a resident of Iowa; Ainia, wife of Fred ^lentzer, and 
Xittie. wife of onr subject. All are resideuts of Woodson County, except 
Vi'illiam. 

Mr. Ment/er of this review is a Prohibitionist in his political prefer- 
ences, but as that party seldom has a ticket in the field at local elections 
h'» supports the candidates whom he regards as best qtuilified for office. Long 
residence in Woodson County has made him familiar with its history from 
an early day and his iipright career durini: this period has gained him a 
position iniiiiini' (lie !i\-iiliri'.r mid vepn'si'iitMtiv,' ydiint;- f;ii'nii'rs cif flti- com- 
inunit\ 



WILLIAM H. HOAT:MAN. 

Five miles north of Yates Center, in Liberty townshiji. Woodson 
County, stands an attractive farm residence which is the home of William B. 
Boatman. It is surrounded by a grove of native forest trees and around 
•t spread the broad fields of grain and the verdant meadows which a'-( 
l;is property and indicate that his life is one of active usefulness. 

Mr. Boatman was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, on the 18th. of 
October, 1851, and is a son of William and Eleanor (Callahan) Boatnan. 
both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, where they remained until 
1858, when they removed to Illinois, settling in Livingston county. The 
father had been proprietor of a hotel in Penn.sylvania and engaged in :li8 
j-ame line of business in the west, conducting a first class hostelry until his 
death, in 1891, when he was seventy-three yeais of age. His wife had 
previously pa.ssed away, dying in 1888, at the age of sixty-eight years. Tli-y 
were the parents of six children, of whom three are yet living: William B., 
Stephen and Mrs. Nancy Bostlin. 

Our subject, the youngest of the family, was seven years of age Mil'eu 
his parents removed to Li\'ingston County, Illinois, where he gained his edu- 
cation in the common schools. He followed coal mining from the time he 
was old enougli to work in the mines until his marriage, after which he 
!i Mied n tract of land and began farming. He devoted his attention to the 



WOODSON COL'NTIES. 



833 



•cultivation ol' the fields in Illinois for four years, but believing that lu' 
might sooner secure a farm of his own in Kansas he came to Woodson 
<'ounty in 1882 and purchase 1 one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie 
five miles north of Yates Center, where he has since made his home, lie 
has transformed the jilaee into a valuable property and is now a prosperous 
farmer and stock-raiser. His fields yield to him a good return and indicate 
10 the passer-by tlw careful su])ervision of the operator. He is also en- 
gaged in the hay business annually putting up large quantities of that 
product. He also buys and .ships hay and his operations in that line are bolli 
t'xtensive and profitable. Everything about his place is kept in exo-llent 
condition, the buildings ar<? never found out of repair, and the entire 
place indicate- the ownership of a progressive and practical farr.ie'-. 

In March. 1878. in Livingston County. Illinois, Mr. Boatman married 
MisK Annie Clark, a native of thatstate and a daughter of Ephraim and 
Mildred (Jones) Clark, who were also born in Illinois and are yet residents 
01 Livingston County, the father being now eight.v-two years of age, while 
liis wife has reached the age of seventy-eight. They had five children : Tal- 
bert, Annie, Frank, Faron and Coe, the last named no.w in Liberty township, 
Woodson County. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boatman has been ble.'-sed 
with two children, but Roy, the elder, died at the age of six years. Clark, 
now a youth of sixteen, is a+ home with his paronts. Mr. Boatman is a 
nember of the M. W. A. camp at Yates Center, and in his political affilia- 
tions is a Democrat, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote 
his time and attention to his business afTair.s, in wliich he has met with 
■C'editable and gratifying ju-o.^perity. 



BENJAMIN PITMAN. 

One of the substantial farmers and respected citizens of Everett town- 
ship and a veteran of the Civil war is Benjamin Pitman, who claims Penn- 
sylvania as the state of his imtivity, his birth having occurred there, in Ful- 
tf n Coun*y. January 23, 18:10. He is the fourth in a family of eight chil- 
dren whose parents were Benjamin and Margaret (Ross) Pitman, both of 
whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a carpenter by trade 
and in 1849 removed to Illinois, settling in "Whiteside County, where he fol- 
t wed his chosen vocation and also engaged in farming until his death, which 
occurred in 187.5, when he was seventy-seven years of age. His wife died 
k^ng previously, pa.ssing away in 1840. 

The subject of this review wa.s only ten years of age at the time of 
bis \jjother's death, and soon afterward he began to earn his own liveli- 
hood. He was employed as a farm hand until nineteen years of age when 
he learned the carpenter's trade, devoting his energies to that work until 
1865. when he enlisted in company D. Ninety-second Illinois infantry, in 
which he served for four months and fifteen days. He participated in the 



S34 ITIsrORY OK ALLEX .4N£i 

l,i)ttle of Atkius, South Carolina, ami was woiiiiik'cl in the tore finger and the 
side by a ^'un.:hot. He was then discharged on account of disability and re- 
turned home, and for two years he was under the physician's care before 
bting able to resume work. 

In the spring of 1876 Mr. Pitman came to Kansas, locating in Dickin- 
sen Co^int}-. ptirchasing one hundred and .'•ixly acres of farm land and 
^!ve town lots in Abilene. He improved his property and made his home 
in that county until 1884, when he sold out and came to Woodson County. 
Here he purchased one hundred and sixt.v acres of raw prairie laud on 
C'herry creek, where he now has a fine farm, the wild tract having been 
tranfformed into richly prodnc'ive fields. The place is improved with 
;; large residence, substantial barn and all the necessary outbuildings 
lor the care of grain and stock and the farm is now valuable and attractive. 
There is good bottom land and timber tracts and the place is well watered. 
Iiidustry ha^■ been the keynote of Mr. Pitman's success. His life has been 
a bus.v one. in which idleness has had no part and his untiring labor has 
bi'ought him a handsome competence. 



I. T. SUMMERS. 

I. T. SL'^IERS. who is engaged in farming in Everett township and 
vas formerly identified with industrial interests of "Woodson County for a 
uumber of years, was born in Richie County, AYest Virginia, September IS, 
1847, a son of Elias S. and Miranda t Wilson) Summers, also natives of 
the same state. The father spent his entire life in "West Virginia where he 
ci'ed in 1889. at the age of eighty years. Plis wife is still living at an 
advanced age. In their family were twelve children, of whom six are yet 
living. 

Mr. Summers of this biographical notice was reared on the old home- 
stead farm and his educational privileges were qitite limited for at the time 
when he naturally would have been in rchool he was engaged in protecting 
Ins southern home from the raids of bushwhackers, for the Civil war was in 
pi ogress and he was employed by the s*ate to act as a state guard or scout 
to protect the property of the I'nion citizens. After a year spent in that 
way he enlisted in company E, Sixth AYest Virginia volunteer infantry, in 
October. 1864, and served until the close of the war. His duty was mostly 
in hunting and driving out the bnshwackers, but his service was none the less 
arduous or dangerous and he had many narrow escapes from death, wounds 
and capture. 

After the war Mr. Summers returned to his home and began to lj?arn 
the stone mason's trade, which he followed throughout the period of his 
nsidence in his native state. In 187?$ he came to the west, knowing that he 
could secnre a home sooner by coming to a new country. Accordingly he 
1,i,ik- up bis Mhoile in "Woodson County. Kansas, where he continued to 



\VOO0SON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 835 

\i()ik at tlie stone mason's trade until 1898. He was a good workman and 
always had employment, so that as the result of his industry aud economy 
1)_ was enabled to gain cajjita) suflicient to purchase his present farm, a 
fine and well develoi)ea tiact of eighty acres, located on Cherry creek, 
one mile south of Vernon, in Kverett township. It is all bottom land and 
never fails to produce a good crop. He has a large barn, other substantial 
outbuildings aud a comfortable resddence, in fact all the modern equip- 
ments of a model farm of the twentieth century are found upon his place. 
When he arrived in Woodson County he had only eight dollars, so that 
al! he now possesses has been ac(iuired since coming to the Sunflower state, 
a fact which indicates that his life has been a busy one, characterized by 
ii defatigable industry. In politics he is a staunch and uncompromising Re- 
publican, and socially lie is a member of Tuscan Lodge. F. & A. M., at 
Neosho Falls. 



WILLI A^r O'GILVIE. 

WILLIAM O'GILVIE, who follows farming in Toronto township, 
\*here he owns and cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of land, was 
l.'orn in Madison County, Ohio, on the 19th. of May," 1847. His father, 
EJisha O'Gilvie. was a native of Virginia and mari'ied Charlotte Thompson, 
who was born in the Buckeye state. For many years he engaged in mer- 
eliandising in Ohio and was also a farmer and stock-raiser. In 1883 he came 
!,• Kansas, settling in Toronto, where he resided untilhis death which oc- 
curred in 1896. at the age of seventy-seven year.s. His wife is still living 
i). Toronto, at the age of seventy-four. 

On the home farm in his native state William O'Gilvie was leared and 
in the common schools mastered the braneJies of English learning usually 
taught in such institutions. At the age of twenty-two he left home and 
was married, the wedding being celebrated April 15, 1869, Miss Margaret 
Hunter becoming his wife. Her parents were Charles and Martha (Fitzger- 
ald ) Huntei' and both were natives of Virginia but spent their last days 
i;i Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. O'Gilvie have been born live children: Ed, 
Walter and Ezra, all residing upon farms of their own in Oklahoma: John 
who is oi:)erating his father's farm, and Minnie, the only daughter, also with 
her parents. 

After his marriage Mr. O'Gilvie rented land and began farming in Ohio 
oi', his own aeeount. For fourteen years he carried on agricultural pui'- 
srits thus, and then tiring of operating rented property he resolved to 
remove to a district where he could secure a farm of his own. Kansas was 
his choice of a location, and in 1882 he came to Wood.son County where he 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land in Toronto towmship, 
•;even miles north of the town of Toronto, and there he and his wife began 
life in the west, determined to gain advancement if it could be won through 



836 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

earnest effort. He i^oon had his farm under a high state of cultivation and 
well slocked with cattle, and to-day he owns three hundred and twenty 
acres of rich land on Cedar creek. A comfortable residence, good barn 
and richly cultivated fields are among the leading features of the place and 
he keeps on hand about fifty head of cattle and from fifty to one hundred 
head of hogs, together with such a number of horses as are needed to operate 
the farm. 

In 1891 Mr. 0'(!ilvie met with a very sad accident— his team running 
away and throwing him out of the wagon thus crippling him for life. After 
his recovery he engaged in the hardware business in Toronto, conducting 
the store while his wife superintends the operation of the farm. For five 
years he was engaged in commercial pursuits and then sold his .store since 
which time his entire attention has been given to his farming interests. 
"In America labor is king" and it is the only sovereignty which our liberty- 
loving people acknowledge but they never fail to accord due respect to the 
man who has conquered fate and won advancement through his own effort. 
Thus Mr. O'Oilvie receives in large mea-sure the rerpect and esteem of his 
f( llownif n at the same time he is enjoying the rich fruits of his diligence. 



WILLIAM F. AGNEW. 

WILLIAM FRAZER AGNEW is one of the native sons of Kansas, 
his birth having occurred in Anderson County, on the 8th of December, 
1862. His father, AVilliam Agnew, Sr., now deceased, was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Woodson County, whither he came in 1873. identifying his inter- 
efts with those of the agricultural community of this portion of the state. 

Our subject spent the first eleven years of his life in the county of 
his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Woodson County, where 
he was reared, the family I'esiding upon the middle branch of Owl creek. 
The district school afforded him his educational privileges, and he acquired 
a good knowledge of the couunon English branches of learning which pre- 
pare one for the practical duties of life. He has always followed farming 
and stock-raising and is now classed among the prosperous representatives 
y< that class of people. His farm is located on Section 31, Eminence 
township, where he owns and operates two hundred and forty aci'es of 
rich land, which yields abundant harvests. Nature is usually bountiful in 
her gifts, restoring many hundred fold the seeds planted in the ground, and 
the labors of IMr. Agnew are crowned with a rich reward. 

On the 20th of November. 1895. Mr. Agnew was united in marriage to 
Miss Lizzie Punston, a daughter of John Funston, of Yates Center. She is 
a native of Illinois, born in 1866. and by her marriage she has become the 
mother of three interesting little children, namely: William Maynard. 
Boyd Funston and Annabel. Mr. Agnew takes a deep interest in political 
affairs, as every true American citizen should do, and gives his support to 



wuuDsuN couxtik;;. Kansas. 



the Kepublicau party. Having long resided in Woodson County he is 
widely and favorably known, and that those who have known him from boy- 
hood are numbered among' his warmest friends is an indication that his life- 
history has been an honorable ami upright one. 



LEVI SMITH. 

Among those who wore the blue in defense of the Union during the 
Civil war Levi Smith was numbered and to-day is as true and loyal to his 
diities of citizenship as when he followed the Stars and Stripes upon the 
battletlelds of the south. Thus he is accounted one of the valued resi- 
dents of Woodson County, well worthy of representation in its history. 

Mr.' Smith was born in Scott County, Illinois, May 2, 1843, and is the 
third son in a family of eleven children whose parents were John and Sarah 
A. (Downey) Smith, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Penn- 
sylvania. The father- was a farmer by occupation and before his marriage 
went to Illinois, casting in his lot with the early settlers who laid the founda- 
tion for the development and upbuilding of that state. There he remained 
until his death which occurred in 1881, when he was sixty years of age. His 
wife still survives him and is living upon the old homestead in Illinois, at 
the venerable age of seventy-eight years. Of their children six are yet 
living. 

In taking up the personal history of Levi Smith we present to our 
readers the record of one who for a quarter of a century has been a well 
known resident of Woodson County. He was reared upon a farm, received 
his education in the country schools, and worked in the fields until the 9th. 
of August, 1862, when with his patriotic spirit aroused by the continued 
opposition and rebellion in the south, he offered his services to the govern- 
ment, joining company I. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois infantry. 
After two years and ten months of arduous and fearless service as a de- 
ft nder of the Union he received an honorable discharge June 8, 1865. He 
was in many hard fought battles, participated in the campaign from Resaca, 
Georgia, to Atlanta, went with Sherman on the memorable march to the 
sea, which proved that the Confederacy was but an empty shell, took part in 
the battle of Marietta and was in many other engagements and skirmishes 
oi' that campaign. He was never captured or wounded although several 
times his clothes were pierced with bullets and his haversack and canteen 
were shot away. At the close of the war he received an honorable dis- 
charge in Washington and was mustered out in Chicago, Illinois. 

He then returned to his home and spent one year as guard on the 
i)ridge across the Illinois I'iver. In the fall of 1876 he came to Kansas and 
engaged in farming upon rented land until 1884-, when M-ith the money 
which he had saved from his earnings he purchased eighty acres of land 
.inc mile west of Vernon, where he has since made a good home for himself 



83S HISTORY OF AI.LKN AND 

ai.d family. His pdssessioiis are a iijoimuicnt to Ids enterprise and worth, 
and are the visible- evidence of his hibor and liis economy, for all that he has 
is the reward of his individual eft'ort. 

Mr. Smith has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Mary E. 
Harris, who only survived their marriage five years, and at her death left 
tv.o little children: Allie. now the wife of Will Farris, a resident of Idaho, 
and Chai'Ies E., who is also living in the same state. On the 20th of Novem- 
ber, 187!', Mr. Smith was joined in wedlock to Miss Lavisa Adams, a native 
o.' Bloominyton, Illinois, born August 22, 1854. Her father, Jeremiah 
Adams, was a native of Indiana, and after reaching mature years wedded 
Elizabeth Robinson. He died when Mrs. Smith was only about a year old 
and her mother afterward became the wife of Edwai-d Sunnuerfield, who re- 
moved with the family to Kansas in 1866. Woodson Comity was then but 
sparsely settled and they were forced to live in true frontier style. They 
had to pound their meal in a mortar — for the nearest mill was at lola, Allen 
County — and other pi-imitive methods of life formed part of their pioneer 
experience. Mrs. Snmmerfield pa.ssed away in 1896, at the age of seventy- 
one years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born five children: Mrs. 
Carrie D. Porter, who died August 2, 1900, leaving a little son, Roscoe C. 
Porter, w'ho is now a bright little boy of fourteen months living with his 
grandparents, Dora E., Newton L., Roy A. and Elza 0.. who are still at 
home. 

Socially Mr. Smith is connected with Woodson Post, No. 185, 0. A. R.. 
and thus continues his comradeship with the boys in blue. During his long 
residence in Woodson Coun+y he has ever commanded the respect of his fel- 
low citizens by reason of his genuine worth, and by all who know him he is 
appreciated for his commendable ((ualities. 



FREDERICK FREVERT. 

In the pioneer epoch of the hi.story of Woodson County, Frederick Fre- 
virt came to Kansas and took up his abode in Owl Creek township among its 
first settlers. He is a luitive of Germany, his birth having occurred near 
I 'ppe-Detmold, November 14, 1828. His father, Conrad Freverf, was a 
farmer there, his ancestors having lived in that locality from time imme- 
morial. He married Sophia Bohlman. and unto them were born five child- 
I'en, namely: Conrad, of Columbus. Indiana; Wilhelmina, who is yet in 
(Jermany: Frederick; Henrietta, deceased, and Henry, who is also in tic 
fatherland. 

Mr. Frevert of this review spent his early boyhood in herding cows, 
and in his youth he was employed by a paper manufacturer and a brick 
maker. For a year and a half he served as a soldier in the German army 
and aceoi'ding to the law of the country would have had to remain in the 
avmv for five vears had he not come to America. An officer, who was his 



TvOODSON COUMTIES. KANSAS. S^^ 

irieiul, seeiued liiiii a pass to Bremen and there he took passage on a west- 
ward-bound vessel, which iu 1852 dropped anchor in tlie harbor of New 
York. Landing at the metropolis he thenc* made his way to Lake County, 
Indiana, where he spent a year and a half as a farm hand, during seven 
mouths of the time receiving onl^- seven dollars per mouth, althou.gh he did 
more work than mo.st farm hands who are now paid three times that amount. 
He worked on the railroad for three years at a dollar and a quarter per day 
-and about that time he met the lady whom he married. Miss Minnie War- 
v.';ek becoming his wife in 1S56. She is a daughter of Andrew Warwick, a 
Prussian, who brought his family to the United States in 1848 and located in 
Lee County, Illinois, where lie died at the advanced age of ninety-six j^ears. 
lie wedded IMary Ku'se, who was born in Thuringia, near the Black Forest, 
and died in 1854. at the age of fifty-four years. She had five children, the 
three now living being: Mrs. Prevert : Ernest, of Lee County, Illinois, and 
IMrs. Hannah Miller, also of that county. 

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Prevert loaded their house- 
hold effects into a wagon and bringing with them some cows and chickens 
.tarted for Kansas. They were several weeks ui)Oii the road, finally crossing 
the Missouri river into Kansas, at Leavenworth, on the 4th of July, 1858. 
Their .iourney was contini^ed to Neosho Palls, which contained one store in a 
log cabin, this being the trading jjoint for most of the settlers along Owl 
creek, Mr, Prevert secured a claim of one hundred and twenty acres of land 
on section two. there locating a Black Hawk land wai'rant. He also took up 
a homestead claim and as time passed he purcha.'-ed other tracts, becoming 
the owner of extensive and valuable realty, portions of which he has since 
given to his children. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Prevert have been born the followins: Prederiek : Wil- 
liam, of Humboldt, Kan^^as: Louisa, who became the wife of August Koeuig 
and died in 1881, leaving a daughter, Mary, who has married Augiist Kirch- 
boif, of Woodson County: Annie, wife of William Bowser, of Elk County, 
Kansas: Mary, wife of Robert Kenierer, of Yates Center; Verilla who mar- 
r.'td Thomas Bell, of Woodson County: TNIatilda, wife of Henry Stockebrand, 
of Yates Center: Alartha, wife of Emil Stockebrand. of this County: Rosa, 
wife of Prank S'oekebrand : Frederick, who married Clara Hendev.':on, and 
TJenry who wedded Flora Durby. Both Fred and Henry reside near the 
old family homestead. 

In early life Mr. Prevert voted foi' the presidential candidates of the 
r>emocraey but when Abraham Lincoln was nominated he cast his ballot 
with the Republican party with which he was allied for a number of years, 
but for some lime he has been a Prohibitionist. He lielongs to the German 
Evangelical Association and his wife is a member of the United Brethren 
church. They are people of .sterling worth and are numbered among the 
Tionoied pioneers of the county in which they have so long made their home. 
Mr. Prevert has more than realized his anticipations of gaining a good home 
in the new world. He has prospered in his undertakings by improvins his 



•Sp HISTORY OF ALLEK AND 

opportunities and his valuable property is an indication of the busy and. 
Ufcefvd life he las led. 



WILLIAM M. PATTERSON. 

WILLIAM M. PATTEKSON, who is engaged in dealing in aud ship- 
ping hay, his home being in Kose, has spent almost his entire life in AVood- 
son County, where his father William W. Patterson, located at an early day. 
The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Alexander Patterson, the 
great-grandfather of our subject, who was one of ten brothers that left their 
home on the Emerald Isle and came to America, thus founding many 
blanches of Pattersons in various sections of the country. James Patterson, 
the grandfather, removed from Virginia to Meigs Countj% Tennessee, and 
there followed farming and blacksmithing. He served his country in the 
war of 1812 and two of his sons were defenders of the Union during the ■ 
war of the Rebellion. The grandfather spent his last days in Fayetteville, 
.\rkansas, and at his death left a large family of sous and daughters. 

William W. Patterson, the father of our sub.ject, was born in j\Ieigs 
County, Tennessee, in 1824, and there was reared, but at length was forced 
10 flee from his native state on account of his LTnion sentiments. He accord- 
ingly took up his residence in Kansas, becoming a well known farmer of 
Woodson County. He married Martha J. Claiborne, a daughter of Jubal 
Claiborne, of Knox County, Tennessee, and once the owner of the farm upon 
vhich the city of Knoxville was built. Mr. Patterson carried on farming in 
V^'oodson County, mee'.ing with good success, until his death, which occurred 
in 1893, and his wife passed away in 1898. Their children were as follows: 
Charlotte who became the wife of Henry Pe'.ers. both' now deceased; Emma, 
wife of J. H. Flower; Mary, wife of James P. Kellej' ; Katie, wife of B. C. 
Farmele, of Newton, Kansas, and William M. 

The subject of this review was born in Paveshiek County, Iowa, 
March 17, 1863, and as the family came to Woodson County in 1866, he has 
practically spent his entire life here. In his youth he assisted in the work of 
the home farm and attended the district schools, and later he engaged in 
teaching school at intervals until his marriage, being accounted a successful 
and capable educator. Siuee 1893 he has in connection with farming and 
stock raising been engaged in dealing in and shipping hay from Rose and 
also from Bufifalo, Roper and Yates Center. His business has constantly in- 
creased in volume until it is now quite extensive, aud his annual sales are 
a very desirable source of income. He possesses good executive and business 
ability and above all that untiring industry which form the foundation of 
all prosperity. Beginning life as an assistant to his father and upon the 
home farm his continued success has made him the owner of 686 acres of 
land, and the operator or controller of 2,800 acres. 

On the 23d of September, 1886, IMr. Patterson married Miss Cora 



'WOODSON COIIKTIES. KANSAS. CS4I 

Camac, daughter of I. J. Cauiac. of Yates Center, aiid they have 
lioe child, Earle T., who was born on the 19th of July, 1889. 
In his political affiliations Mr. Patterson is a Republican who 
warmly espouses the principles of the party. He has served as township 
clerk, has been postmaster of Rose, and always attends the township con- 
ventions, while to the county conventions he has also been sent as a dele- 
gate. Such in brief is the history of a well kno\Yn resident of Woodson 
Ccunty, a man who has the happy faculty of winning friends and of draw- 
ir-g them closer to him as the years pass by. this making him a popular and 
Vf.lued resident of the co^nnunit^•. 



WILLIAM B. .STINE8. 

Porty-two years have passed since AVilliam B. Stines came to Woodson 
Ccunty and through this long period he has been prominently identified with 
its educational and professional intere.ts as a teacher and member of the 
bar. His labors have ever thus been in the .service of his fellow men, and 
his record is one well worthy of commendation. 

Mr. Slines is a native of Mercer County. New Jersey, born May 14, 
1835. His ancesitry was represented in the Revolutionary war by those 
Avho loyally aided in the struggle for independence. His paternal grand- 
father. Obediah Stines. was born in 1762 and died in 1839. His son, John 
Stines, the father of our subject, was bcn-n in New Jersey. January 29, 1803, 
and was there reared to manhood. He married Abigail Blake, and in 1839 
be. started westward with his family, making his way across the Allegheny 
mountains by wagon to Darke County, Ohio, where he settled and for a 
t'me engaged in farming. Later, however, he decided to seek a home else- 
where and while on his way to Illinois in search of a new location, he was 
tpken ill and died near Cambridge City. Indiana, in 1852. His wife sur- 
vived him until 1875. and passed away in Randolpli Count.v. Indiana, at the 
age of sixty-seven years. Their children were as follows: Margaret, the 
widow of B. P. Smith of Randolph County. Indiana: William B. ; Abigail, 
the wicUiw of Samuel Gregg, of Preble County, Ohio : Lucina, wife of James 
Cordon, of Randolph County. Indiana ; B. M.. who is also living in that 
County: and Jane, wife of James Roekhill. of Randolph County, Indiana. 

As his parents were in rather limited financial circumstances they could 
give him little in lifr except an education, but knowledge is the basis of all 
{idvancement and bis mental training })i'oved a stepping stone to his rise in 
life. WluMi only nineteen years of age he began teaching and for a num- 
ber of years followed that profession with excellent siu'cess. having the 
ability of imparting knowledge in such a clear and concise manner that it 
never failed to leave its impress upon the minds of his pupils. On leaving 
Indiana he engaged in teaching school in Illinois, and from Logan County, 
that state, came to Kansas, settling in Cofifey County, in 1858. The follow- 



,><4^ Kisfosv Of Ar.LKN A?cry 

iug yoar he (.'anio to Woodson ComiLv and took up his ahode in what is now 
North township, where in the fall of 186U he pre-empted a homestead. He- 
eontimud his edneafional labors in this county from 1861 until 1S79, his 
fiist school boiutr in diftriet Xo. 2. in North township. He was eonnty su- 
iHM-intendent at the time and numbered the districts. No. 2 was eleven by 
fourteen miles in ex'ent and contained only thi-ee farms paying; taxes. In 
his school work Mr. Stine was very successfid and many of the now success- 
ful men of the county are indebted to him for early instruction which he 
trave Ihem. He held the office of county superintendent two terms and dar- 
ing that period laoored untirinsrly and effectively, for the improvement of 
the school system of this portion of the sliite. 

In 1865, Mr. Stiues took up the ^tndy of law. readins; under tlie tlirec- 
tion of Alexander Stewart, of Leroy. He was admitted to the liar before 
•Fudire Wa'son and be and Judge C. B. (haves entered their first suit to- 
githei' at Neosho Falls, it being a civil suit involving a replevin of some- 
cattle. He served for one term as county attorney and at the bar has 
handled considerable important litigation in which he has demonstrated his 
familiarity with the principles of iurisprudenee and his thoiongh \inder- 
Rtanding of the jioints bearing on his eases. 

On the 4th of October, 18G0, Mr. Stilus was united in marriage to :\[iss 
liiMii.^a ^lorgan. by whom he had three children yet living: Mary, the wife 
ot Warren Miller- Flora B.. wife of 1). J. Ohambers. and H. Grant. All are 
residents of Woodson County. On the 28th of I\Iay, 1871. Mr. Stines was 
again mari-ied, his second union being with Mrs. Elgiva Miller, a daughter of 
Russell Morgan, and a sister of his first wife. The father came originally 
from Clay County, Indiana. His wife -was a Miss Bryan. There is but one 
child of the second niariiage Ethelyn. now the wife of J. O. Ward, of Cha-. 
luite, Kansas, (^n the Utb of IMay. 1882. Mr. Stines was joined in wedlock 
to Miss T.aura Farnam. a daughter of Asa Farnam, who was captain of Com- 
pany E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry during the Civil war and died in Chi- 
cago, March 18, 1892. He was born in Ceneseo County, New York, and 
married Almeda Smith, by whom he had seven children. ITnto Mr. and 
^Irs. Stines have been born two daughters. Almeda A. and Edna M. 

In his political views Mr. Stines has always been a stalwart Republi- 
can, giving an inflexible supjiort to the priiici|iles and policy of the party. 
In addition to the offices which be has tilled in the line of his professions, 
he has sei-ved for four years as cotmty surveyor. He is heartily in sympathy 
with temperance work, believing in the abolishment of the saloons, but is not 
a ''third party" man. He co-operates in all movements for the general good, 
and has lived an upright, honorable life, above reproach. His record will 
h( ar the closest scrntiuy for he has ever been a man who has stood "four 
s.|nar§ to every wind that blows." 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 8^3 

SmiNER C. HOLCOMB. 

Kansas has always been distinguished for the high raui^ of lier bench 
and bar. Perhaps none of the newer states can justly boast of abler jurists 
and attorneys. Many of them have been men of national fame, and among 
those whose livts have been passed on a quieter plane there is scarcely a 
town or city in the state but can boast of one or more lawyei-s capable of 
crossing swords in foi'ensic combat wiOi any of the distinguished legal lights 
o*-' the United States. While the growth and development of the state in 
the last half a century has been most marvelous, viewed from any stand- 
point, yet of no cUlss of her citizenship has she greater reason for just pride 
tlian her judges and attorneys. In Mr. Ilolcomb we find united many of 
the rare qualities which go to make up the successful lawyer. He possesses 
ptrhaps few of those dazzling, meteoric qualities which have .sometimes 
tiashed along the legal horizon, riveting the gaze and blinding the vision for 
•\ moment, then di.- appearing, leaving little or no trace behind, but rather 
has those solid and more subs'antial qualities which shine with a constant 
luster, shedding light in the dark places with steadiness and continuity. His 
mind is analytical, logical and inducHve. With a thorough and comprehen- 
sive knowledge of fundamental principles of law. he combines a familiarity 
with statutory law and a .sober, clear judgment, which makes him a formid- 
able adversary in legal combat. 

Mr. PTolcoinb was born in Gallia ('ounty, Ohio, Januarj' 7, 1857, and is 
:i ^■on of John E. Hoicomb. The grandfather, Samuel R. Holeomb, was 
1)( rn in New York and served his country in the Black Hawk war, thus 
b( coming known as General Hoicomb. He became a resident of Ohio, made 
f.uining his life work, and died in 1867, at the advanced age of ninety-one 
years. John E. Hoicomb was born in the Buckeye state in 1817, became 
a merchant of Gallia, and during the time of the Civil war served as 
piovost marshal. In 1865 he left Ohio for Missouri, and spent his remain- 
ing days in the latter state, dying in Butler, Missouri, in 1889. In politics 
he was a staunch Republican. He wedded Marj' Matthews, who was born in 
Gallia County, Ohio, and died in 1894. Their children are: P. H., a 
lawyer of Bates County, Missouri; A. T., an attorney of Portsmouth, Ohio; 
Eliza, wife of Richard Wilcox, of Bates County. Missouri; Sarah, wife of 
John Bybee, of Cass County. Missouri; Charles ]\r.. of Greenwood County, 
Kansas, and Sumner. 

The last named was a lad of nine years when his parents removed to 
iViissouri. He acquired a good English education in th^ schools of Butler, 
that state, and there took up the study of law under the direction of his 
brother, being admitted to the bar before Judge Foster P. Wright, in 1880. 
He began practice there, remaining a member of the bar of Butler for three 
years after which he came to Woodson County, settling in Toronto in 1885. 
There he continuously engaged in practice until elected to the office of 
county attorney. His reputation as a lawyer of ability has been won and 
>trengthened in his conduct of many important cases. He is regarded by 



i>44 HISTORY OF Al.LKN A Nil 

his fellow lueiubers of the bar as a conscientious and painstaking attorney 
whose thoroughness is niauifest iii all litigation with which he is eouneeled. 
He practices iu all the state courts in a general way and has a large client- 
age. In 189S he was elected county attorney on a Fusion ticket, and in 
li\10 he wiis nominated by the Democracy, winning the election by a ma- 
juity of one hundred and seventy-nine, altliough JMcKinley carried the 
county bj' three hundred votes. Such an election is unmistakable evidence 
oi his popularity and his high standing among those who know him best. 
In Woodson County, in August, 1892. Mr. Holeomb was joined in wed- 
K ek to Miss Margaret Truman, a daughter of Jehu Truman, who came 
from Virginia to Kansas. They now have two children. Lydia G. and 
Sumner C, Jr. Mr. Holeomb is a member of the Order of Red Men and 
the Modern Woodmen of America. He cast his first presidential vote for 
deneral James A. Garfield in 1880, but left the Republican party in 1892. 
He has never taken a particularly active part in politics, and his election 
to the office of coupty attorney has come to him as a merited tribute to his 
ability. In demeanor he is quiet and unostentatious, in manner is pleasant 
and genial — an approachable gentleman who enjoys the friendship of a se- 
lf ct circle of acquaintances. 



AD^\J\I KELLER. 

ADAM KELLER, who follows farming in Everett town.--hip. Wood- 
si n County, was born in .andotte County. Ohio. September 2f). 18-1.5. 
His father, Adam Keller, Sr.. was a native of Berks County, Penn.syl- 
vania and married Elizabeth Stahl. who was also born in the Keystone 
st&te, whence they removed to Ohio in 183-1:. The father had visited Wy- 
andot County the year previous and purchased one hundred and ninety 
acres of land iu the green forest, making the journey to and from Pennsyl- 
vania on foot. The following year he brou-jht his family to his new home, 
arriving at his destination with a cash capital of fifty cents. In 1848 his 
wife died, leaving to his care their eight small children. He was after- 
ward married twice, and was the father of twenty children. Five of the 
children of the first marriage are still living, and nine of the other mar- 
riage. Mr. Keller died on his farm in Wyandot County. Ohio, in 1883, 
when seventy-two years of age, and his widow is still living on the old 
h'-mestead there. 

Adam Keller of this re\-iew was the seventh child of the first mar- 
riage. He remained -vdth his father until he had attained his majority and 
then went to Iowa to visit his brother. He spent several years in Iowa. 
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, working by the month as a farm hand, 
ai d then returned to Ohio, where he was employed for two years by his 
fiither. There on the 18th of September. 1872. he was married to ]\riss 
Marv Parish, a native of Hancock County. Ohio, and a daushti"- .>f \.-,.i,; 



WOODSON* COUNTIK:;. KANSAS. S45 

ookl and KlizabL-lli (Ui.idon) I'uri.sli, oth of whom weir uatives of the 
liuckeye slate. The father is still living at the age of seventy-five years, 
but tlie mother died on the 5th of June, 1883, at the age of fifty-two. They 
were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom yet survive, Mrs. Keller 
being the third in ordei' of birth. 

The wedding journey of Mr. and Mrs. Keller consisted of their trip 
lo Wood.son County, arriving in Neosho Falls on the 21st of September, 
1872. Our subject purchased eighty acres of land in the southern part of 
]""verett township, and there remained for two years after which he went 
1 I Allen County, renting and operating a farm in the river bottoms for 
a year. On the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres on 
Cherry creek in the southern portion of Everett township, seven miles 
noi-tlieast of Yates Center, where he now ovi'iis and operates a farm of one 
linndred and sixty acres. His home occupies a beautiful location, sur- 
rounded by a grove of fore:-;t trees, while a fine orchard yields its fruits 
i:i season, and the fields bring foi'th rich harvests of golden grain. There 
is a large red barn and while hou.se and other substantial outbuildings, 
ai d Mr. Keller h: successfully engaged in general farming and .stock rais- 
ing. 

Mr. and Mrs. Keller have never had any children of their own, but 
h; ve reared an adopted son, Harry Keller, who came to them when six 
ytars of age, and is now a youth of fourteen. Their friends and ac- 
iliiaintances in the community are many, for their genuine worth attracts 
Ic. them the sincere regard of those who care for the qualities which in 
icry land and clime command retpect. Mr. Keller votes with the Re- 
]>i blican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have never had a 
strong enough attraction for him to induce him to sacrifice his business iu- 
U ••ests to seek ofRce. and in liis farm woi'k he h«« found a good financial 
rtfurn. 



.JOHN 0. il^MILTON. 

JOHN 0. HAMHjTOX is one of the enterprising, wide-awake young 
business men of Vernon, where he i.i conducting a grocery store and also 
dealing in hay. His entire life has Keen passed in Kansas, bis birth hav- 
ing occurred in Leroy, CofTey Connly, .January 28, 1864. He and his twin 
brother. Charles C, are the eldest in a family of twelve children born 
i.nto Alexander and Jane Hamilton. When our subject was two years 
old the father sold his business interests in Leroy and removed to Wood- 
son County, purchasing a large tract of land in Everett town.ship, near 
where the town of Vernon is now located. Thus John 0. Hamilton was 
rtared upon a farm and early became familiar with tlie methods of in- 
sl'uction in the common schools, where he acquired his education. He 
ai.so spent one term in the school of Neosho FhIIs. At Imme he was tijiinod 



846 HISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

iL the work of handling cattle a_nd soon became an excellent judge of 
stock. When he was a youth of fifteen he began driving cattle for his 
fftther from the Indian Territory, and from other parts of Kansas, his time 
being thus occupied until he was twenty years of age. 

On account of failing health Mr. Hamilton then went to Colorado, 
where he worked on a cattle ranch for a year, when he returned to his 
home in Kansas and thence made his way to Mareeline, ^Missouri, being 
there engaged in conducting a grocery store for a year and a half. On the 
expiration of that period he once more came to Woodson County and here 
on the 30th of January, 1889 was united in marriage to Miss Emma i\Ior- 
gc.n, daughter of Dr. J. Morgan, now of lola. 

After his marriage Mr. Hamilton followed farming for four years and 
then purchased property in Vernon, on which he built a good barn, resi- 
dence and store. He has since conducted a grocery store, of 'vhieh his 
wife is in charge, while his attention is given to the hay business. He buj-s 
and ships may quite extensively and his sales in both branches of his en- 
terprise now amount to six thousand dollars annually. His trade is stead- 
ily increasing, and it is safe to predict that a still more brilliant success 
av.aits him. He is yet a young man, full of energy, determination and 
hiudable ambition, and his labors cannot fail to bring prosperity. 

Mr. Hamilton is a member of Vernon Council. No. 7690. M. W. A., 
apd in politics he is a Democrat. He was appointed postmaster of Vernon 
under President Cleveland's second administration and served in that ca- 
pacity for four years with eutire satisfaction to all the patrons of the of- 
fice. As a public-spirited citizen and business man he is numbered among 
the valued residents of the community, and is held in high regard by all 
with whom he is associated. 



WILLIAM WILKINSON. 

Although a native of one of the eastern states, Mr. Wilkinson was 
reared in the west and is imbued with the true western spirit of progress 
ai'd enterprise— a spirit which has wrought the wonderful development of 
ll.e Mississippi valley carrying forward the work of progress so rapidly 
ti at it is commonly referred to as "magical." Mr. Wilkinson first opened 
Ins eyes to the liiiht of day in Schuylkill County. Pennsylvania, July 9, 
1834, and is of Irish lineage. His father, William Wilkinson, Sr., was born 
in County Derr.y, Ireland, but in the early part of the nineteenth century 
cpme to America on a Bl-itish war vessel which had just been engaged 
iu the war of 1812, that had euded only a short time previous. Ere leav- 
ing the Emerald Isle he was united in marriage to IMiss Ann I\IcDougal 
and one child was born to them ere they came to the United States. 

On reaching the new world Mr. W^ilkinson located in Philadelphia, 
where he conducted a small cloth factory until 1840, when accompanied 



■^oo"osoN countie;;. kansas. ^4^ 

l?y his family he went to Illinois, locating upon a fanii on which he lived 
■over thirty years, then moved to Farmington, Illinois, where he spent his 
remaining days, his death occurring at the advanced age of ninety-four 
years. His children were: Mary, deceased wife of Thoma.s Bell; Samuel, 
who has also passed away; Anni-e, deceased wife of Henry Rogers; John 
of Fulton County, Illinois, and William, of this revi-ew. All were mar- 
r;ed and reared families of their own. Georg* who was killed near At- 
lanta, during the Civil war; Elizabeth died in 1893. and Rebecca, who still 
lives on the home place. 

In the city of his oirth AVilliam Wilkinson sjient the first six years of 
his life and then accompanied his parents on their removal lo Fulton 
Couutj', Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm. He spent the winter 
month in the district schools near his home, and in the summer followed the 
plow and the harrow and aided in thre hing and harvesting the crops. 
When he began life on his own account he took up the calling to which 
lie had been reared, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits until his 
enlistment in the army. He first visited Kansas in 1860, on a prospect- 
ing tour, and being pleased with the sta^^e he returned for his family whom 
le brought to the state in the fall of that year, making a location on a 
farm south of Fort Scott. The crops suffered from a drouth the follow- 
ing year, and without harvesting the little grain which he had sueceed- 
•e I in raising he returned to Illinois. 

In 1862 Mr. Wilkinson enlisted in the Union army as a member of 
Company C, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, under Colonel 
Dickerman. His regiment belonged to the Army of the Tennessee and 
was first under fire at Jackson, after which it participated in the Vieks- 
Ijurg and Memphis campaigns. Mr. Wilkinson was also in the Atlanta 
campaign until after the capture of the city, when he resigned his com- 
mission as first lieutenant and ret^irned to his home. He had enlisted 
as a private, had been elected by the company to the office of sergeant, was 
aiterward promoted to orderly sergeant, then to second lieutenant and 
finally to first lieutenant, at Scottsboro, Alabama. 

Upon his return home Mr. Wilkinson engaged in merchandising at 
I'armington, Illinois, following that business until 1874, when he returned 
to the farm, which line of labor claimed his attention until his retirement 
t:i private life in 1897. In 1882 he again came to Kansas, locating upon a 
farm in Owl Creek township, Woodson County, where he successfully cul- 
tivated the fields unlil 1897. He then removed to Yatrs Center where he 
has .';ince made his home, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his 
former toil. Indiistry and perseverance have been the salient features of 
his career and have brought to him a very desirable competence. 

On the 24th of i\Iay, 18.57, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wilkinson and 
Miss Sarah M. Simpson, a daughter of John and Margaret fCordner) 
Simpson, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former of County 
Tvroiie and the latter of Coiintv Deri-v. On coming to America the father 



keaied iu Phialdelphia, Peuusylvar.ia, aud in 1835 removed thence to I]'- 
linois, where, he ditd iu 1854, at the age of fifty-three years. He had seven: 
(iliildreu who leached adult age: Annie, wife of H. R. Rose, a resi- 
dent of Avon Illinois; Margaiet, deceased wife of Howard Sebrce; AVil- 
liam, of Fort Scott, Kansas; James, who died iu the army; John, of 
Farniington, 111., ilary, wife of Blake Barrows, and Mrs. Wilkinson. 

Unto our subject and hh. wife have been born two children— Fred 
and Annie M. The former Avas born November 23 ,1858, was principally 
rtartd upon a farm and acquired a high school education. He is now 
lialf proprietor and editor of the Yates Center Advocate. He was married 
in Avon. Illinois, to Minnie Ransom, and his children are Clarence and 
Leon. In his' political views William Wilkinson is a Republican and 
.since easting his first presidential vote for Fremont he has 
i.over failed to vote at a presidential election but once . The Wilkinsons 
are all Episcopalians and our subject is of that religious faith, although 
his wife was raifed in the Presbyterian church. In a pleasant home in 
Yates Center this worthy couple are now residing, surrounded with the 
comforts which go to make life woi'th the living and which have been pro- 
cured thrrmgh the earnest and indefatiuable labors af Mr. Wilkinson in 
former vears. 



ROBERT B. LEEDY. 

I'he eoncen.'-us of public opinion places Mr. Leedy among the popular 
citizens as well as enterprising and prosperous farmers of Woodson county. 
He is .so well known in this portion of Kansas that he needs no introduction 
to the readers of this volume, most of whom are well acquainted with his 
useful and iipright career. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, March 
22, 1847, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of that 
.state, his paternal grandfather having located there in 1811, only a few 
years after the admission of the state into the Union. Samuel Leedy, the 
father of our subject, was also a native of the Buckeye state, and there 
^ married Margaret Whitnah, who was born in New York, of Scotch parent- 
age. He lived and died in Ohio, passing away in 1853, when he had 
reached the thirty-sixth milestone on life's journey. His wife still .survives 
him and at the age of eighty-two years is yet living in Ohio. Tliis worthy 
couple were the parents of six children, five of whom are yet living; 
namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Rohinsoii, who is living in Ohio; Mrs. Virginia 
Hays.a resident of Kansas City. Kansas: Robert B. ; John W., who was at 
one time governor of Kansas and is now living in Seattle, Washington ; and 
K. C, who is a rerident of Burlington, Kansas. 

Robert B. Leedy was reared in Ohio, working upon the farm in sum- 
mer and doing chores for his board while he attended school in winter, 
until 1864, when at the early age of seventeen years he enlisted in his 



WOOtJSON COUNTIKS. KANSAS. S49 

■couinry's cervice as a ineiiiber of coiiipanj' D. One Hmidtcd and Sixty-third 
■OLio infantry, which became a part of General Butler's command. He 
was at City Point when that place was besieged hy the rebels. He remained 
vi the front until the term of his enlistment had expired when he reUirned 
to his Ohio home and became a student at the Bellville high school, thus 
lilting himself for a business career, after which he secured a position in 
the employ of the firm of J. J. Cover & Company of Johnsville. For two 
years he engaged in clerking, and in 1868 he went to Indiana, where he 
stayed one year and moved then to Illinois, following farming through the 
Slimmer months, while in the M'inter season he engaged in teaching school, 
soon demonstrating his jibility to impart with clearness and readiness to 
others the knowledge he had acquired. He saved much of his earnings and 
was thus enabled at a later date to purchase a farm. 

In the year 1884 Mr. Leeuy eame to Kansas, arriving in Neosho Fall.<^ 
<m the 10th of December. He purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres two miles west and a half mile north of the town, and has since made 
his home ujion this place. He has a tract of rich ho*tom land, raises fine 
eiops of corn, wheat and potatoes, and also keeps some stock. A pleasant 
residence and good barn stand near the Neosho river and no accessory nf 
the model farm of the present day is lacking. 

While in Illinois, on the 7th of September, 1876. Mr. Leedy was .joined 
in wedlock to Miss Juliet Newport, a native of Montgomery county, that 
state, and their marriage has been Messed with six children, all of whom 
are yet living, namely: Mary- Virginia, at home; Margaret Juliet, who is 
leaching in the home district: Oliver 0„ who is in school; Robert Franklin, 
Fidna and Eugene Newport, who are still under the parental roof. The 
members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles 
in which they move and their friends are many. Socially Mr. Leedy is 
c-innected with Woodson lodge No. 78. K. P.. at Neosho Falls, and with 
B I". Hoss Pest. a. A, R., of the same place. He cast his first presidentia' 
vote in 1868 for U. S. Grant, when in Indiana and for some time advoea'^ed 
Ihe principles of the republican party, but is now a populist. He has 
h( en quite prominent in puliHc affairs, and in 1891 he was elected on tlie 
populist ticket to represent Woodson county in the state legislature, where 
If proved a capable member, giving an earnest support to all measui's 
vhich in his judgment seemed calculated to serve the ends of public g)od 
and advancement. 



JAMES P. KELLEY. 

JAMES P. KETjTjEY, who is- now occupying the position of county 
clerk in Yates Center, was for some years identified with the building in- 
terests of this city and has been a resident of Woodson County for thirty 
ymis— yi^nrs in which gi'eat changes have been wrought as civilization 



AI.Llv.N AXlJ 



has advanced westward, leaving in lier wake all the inipiovemeuts known to 
the longer-settled east. Mr. Kelley has ever manifested a comiiicndalile 
i;'terest in every; hing pertaining to the welfare of the county and his fellow 
citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to the office 
which he is now creditably filling. 

Almost half the width of the continent separates his present resi- 
t'enee from the place of his birth, for he is a native of Fayette County, 
Pennsj-lvania. born May 12, 1845. The family is of Irish lineage and 
v-as planted on American soil by Alexander Kelley, the grandfather of 
our .-idjject. who came from Coi'k, Ireland, to the New "World and took up 
his abode in the Keystone state where he spent his remaining days, leav- 
ing a large family. One of the number, George Kelley, was the father of 
our subject. He too, was a native of Fayette County, born in the year 1806, 
and in 1848 he removed with his family to Stark County, Ohio, where he 
carried on agricultural pursuitf-, finding his time fully occupied, with the 
i:d)ors of the farm, whereby be provided for his wife and children. He 
married Margaiet Sholes and they were the parents of four children, of 
v.-hom James P. is the youngest. After the death of the mother the father 
was again married, and by the second union had three children. 

James P. Kelley was only three years of age when he accompanied his 
father to Stark County. Ohio, where he was reared, acquiring his education 
in the common schools and working on the farm through the period of his 
youth . He afterward engaged in teaching school and also learned the 
carpenter's trade, to which he has devo'^ed many years of his active busi- 
ness career. In 1865 he removed from Stark County, Ohio, to Hancock 
Count}', Illinois, where he remained until coming to Kansas in 1870. He 
Iccated in what was then Owl Creek township, but is now Eminence town- 
ship, Woodson County, and secured a claim, which he at once began to 
improve, for the land was in its primitive condition, not a furrow having 
been turned hitherto. He made the journey to this state with a company of 
(Kople. some of whom are yet iTsiding in Woodson County, and like him 
have aided in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of ci\nlization. His 
training at farm labor in his youth proved to him a valuable expei-ience 
when he began the work of cultivating his fields here. He continued the 
operation of his farm until 1889. when he became a I'esident of the eoiinty 
s(at. again resuming work at the carpenter's trade. Evidences of his skill 
and ability in that direction are seen in some of the most substantial and 
attractive buildings of the city. In 1899. however, he was elected to the 
position of county clei-k and the duties of the office now claim his undivided 
attention. 

In May, 1872, Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Mary Patterson, a 
daughter of W. W. Patterson, a farmer of Woodson County who came to 
the Sunflower state from Tennessee. Their marriaee has been blessed with 
two children. Ellora and Crystal, the former now the wife of W. R. Da^^d- 
son. of Sedswick Countv. Kansas. Although his father was a Democrat and 



WOODSON COUiNTIES. KANSAS. 85 1 

he was accordingly reared iu that political faith, Mr. Kelley has always 
been a Republican, imwavering in support of the principles of the party 
0£ progres.s, and on that ticket he was chosen to the position which he is 
now filling. As a citizen he is honorable, prompt and faithful to every 
engagement, and as a man he has the esteem and confidence of all classes, 
of all creeds and political proclivities. 



S. R. SHAW. 

Farming and ^tock- raising claim the attention of many enterprising 
and successful business men of Woodson (^'ounty. among which number 
i>. accounted S. R. Shaw, of Everett township. He was born in Fulton 
County, Illinois. January 1, 1857, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Kelso) 
Shaw, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. About the 
year 1831 the father went to Illinois, settling in the midst of the green 
forest, where he developed a farm u]nm which he made his home until 1868 
—the date of his removal to Schuyler County, Missouri, where his remain- 
ii.'g days were passed, his death occurring January 20, 1890, when he had 
" attained the age of seventy-nine years, eleven months and twenty-four 
daj's. He would have reached the eightieth anniversary of his birth 
had he lived seven days longer. His widow still survives him and makes 
Jier home in Schuyler County at the age of sixty-seven years. 

S. R. Shaw is the eldest of their six children. He received a 
good common-school education, qualifying him for the duties of practical 
business life, and was reared upon a farm, remaining with his parents 
i:ntil twenty-one years of age. In the fall of 1878 he came to Kansas, mak- 
ing the journey by wagon and team to Coft'ey County, where he rented a 
t'-act of land and began farming on his own account. As a -companion 
and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Eleanor Redfern. a native 
of Ohio and a d^uighter of Austin N. and Mary Jane (Leach) Redfern, 
both of whoju were natives of Ohio. Thev came to Kansas from Schuyler 
County, Missouri, in the spring of 1878, settling in Coffey County, where 
^Ir. Redfern died in June. 189(i, at the age of seventy-nine years, his wife 
being called to her final rest in March. 1897. at the age of seventy- four. 
1'hey were the parents of nine children, six of whom are yet living, Mrs. 
Shaw being the youngest. The marriage of our subject and his wife was 
celebrated on the 14th. of November, 1878. and their union has been blessed 
with five sons and a daughter: Wesley 0., Roland M., G. Hurst, Lawrence 
A.. Glenn and Alice B.. the last named being a little maiden of six summers. 
Mr. Shaw continued to engage in the opei'ation of rented land until 
1884, when with the money he had been able to save fi'om his earnings he 
j)urchased one hundred and sixty' acres of land in the western portion 
of Everett township, AYoodson County. In 1895, however, he sold that 
]>roperty and again rented land for three years. In the meantime he Avas 



852 HISTORY OF -VLLEX AND 

extensively engaged in raising and handling cattle and hogs. In 1897 he 
purchased two hundred acres of land where he now resides, his home being 
pleasantly and conveniently situated less than a mile west of Veruon. 
Here he has a good residence and has erected a large barn and is engaged 
in general farming and stock-dealing, raising, buying and feeding and 
shipping hogs and cattle. He fieds about one hundred head of hogs 
and about the same number of cattle each year and thus furnishes a good 
market for the farmers of the community for their grain and stock. He 
has betn wonderfully successful tinee he "-^me to Kansas for all he now has 
i' the acquirement of his labor in this state, and is the well merited reward 
of his diligence and perseverance. 

iMr. Shaw votes with the Democracy, but has never bten an active poli- 
tician and especially has never sought office, but without solicitation on his 
part his fellow townsmen elected him to the position of trustee of Everett 
t 'wnship in which he is now serviiit;- his si'coml lerni. his reliability and 
fidelity winning him re-election. 



ANDREW J. HUFF. 

The lives of some men stand out in bold relief as examples of what 
may be accomplished by perseverance, industry and a steady determina- 
tion to succeed and make a place for themselves among their fellow men. 
Success rarely comes to him who labors not for it. This line of thought is 
suggested as we review the life record of IMr. Huff, who for some years 
v.'as a well known educator of Woodson County and is now ex-clerk of the 
district court. 

He was born in Dubois County, Indiana. December 8, 1866, and is a 
son of Jefferson Huff, who now resides in Toronto township, where he is 
successfully engaged in farming, eari-ying on operations on an extensive 
scale. He has large tracts of land under cultivation, and is raising and 
feeding stock in large numbers. 

Andrew J. Huff spent the first fifteen years of his life in the county 
of his nativity, and during that time acquired a common-school education 
ai^d was trained to farm work, early becoming familiar with all the duties 
and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He arrived in south- 
eastern Kansas in 1881 and took up his abode upon a farm in Toronto 
township where he remained until called to public office. In the meantime 
he had supplemented his early educational privileges by study in the Foit 
Scott Normal, of Fort Scott. Kansas, and had engaged in teaching for 
ten years in the district schools and in the city of Toronto. His labors in 
that direction gave unifoi-m satisfaction and largely promoted intellectual 
activity. He continually strove to improve the methods of teachings and his 
work was effective and beneficial. 

The Huffs have ever been Republicans, unfaltering in support of the 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 853 

piiuciples and measures of the party, and in 1888, Andrew J. Huff cast his 
first presidential vote, depositing his ballot for General Benjamin Harri- 
son. In 1894 he was nominated for the position of district clerk, but met 
defeat by seven votes. In 1896, however, he received the unanimous svip- 
pcrt of the party as a candidate for that office and at the polls was given 
••I majority of one hundred and fiftj'-three. He filled the position so 
eapal)ly that he was re-elected in 1898 by the increased majority of three 
hundred and sixty-nine, so that he was retained in the ofifice for four years. 
Sceially he is identified with the Odd Fellows society, and is highly esteemed 
11! the fraternity as well as in other walks of life where his genial manner 
and sterling qualities pass current as a readily accepted medium of ex- 
change for the merited regard and confidence of his fellow men. 



SILAS L. NAYLOK. 

A'o man is better known in this part of Kansas, nor has a better record 
lor honesty and faithful allegiance to the Republican party than Silas L. 
Naylor, who has never wavered in his support of the political organization 
which has ever championed reform and progress. On its ticket he was 
ejected to the office of county recorder in 1899 and his incumbency is 
one which reflects credit upon the party and is proving entirely satisfactory 
1.) his constituents. 

A native of Rock Island County, Illinois, he was born January 12, 1860, 
and is of Swi.'=-s lineage. A representative of the family left the land of the 
Alps to try his fortune in the New World, selling his time for his passage 
1 1 some English Quakers. The name was then spelled Warchler, but as 
he was not able to speak his name so that the Quaker family could readily 
comprehend it they called him Nailer, and thus the family has been known 
10 the present time. Four generations of the Naylors have resided in Penn- 
sylvania. Samuel Naylor. the father of our subject, was born near Harris- 
burg, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and now resides in Yates Center, having almost 
reached the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Ann Albert, and by her marriage she became the mother 
o.' nine children, of whom seven are yet living, all residents of Woodson 
County with the exception of Samuel H. Naylor, who is now living in Cali- 
fornia. 

Silas L. Naylor was the seventh in order of birth in his parents' 
family, and !-:pent the first nine years of his life upon his father's farm in 
R'ock Island County, Illinois. He then came to Woodson County in the 
year 1809 and for eight years was a resident of Liberty township. Since 
that time he has resided at intervals in the city of Yates Center, the re- 
loainder of the time upon a farm. He acquired his education in the common 
schools and without having the advantage of a high school course he fitted 
himself for passing an examination which won for him a fir.st grade 



854 HISTUKY OF ALLEN AND 

teacher's certificato. For eleven years he was eiit;aged in teacliiny; in Wood- 
son County and was classed among the successful educators in this part of 
the state. He has not only aeqiiired comprehensive knowledge, but has the 
ability to impart it clearly and readily to others, his instruction never fail- 
ing to impress the minds of the students. At the present time his atten- 
tion is given entirely to his official duties. He has not a blood relation who 
i.*- not a Republican, staunch and true, and in 1899 he became the candidate 
oP that party for the ofiiee of recorder of Woodson County. He won the 
election by two hundred and thirty-two votes, succeeding J. L. Martin in 
the office. In the discharge of the tasks, which devolve Tipon him he is 
|nompt and notably reliably, and during his incumbency the public trust 
has never been betrayed in the slightest degree. 

On the 27th. of May. 1883, Mr. Naylor was united in marriage to 
Miss Maggie M. Taylor, a daugJiter of George W. Taylor, a farmer by oc- 
cupation. He came to Woodson County from Iowa, but liad formerly re- 
sided in Ohio. Four children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Naylor. as 
follows : Edith L., Claiide H.. Muriel A. and Johnnie L., all of whom 
vro still under the parental roof excepting the latter who died June 30th.. 
1900. The parents have many friends in the eomnninity. Mr. Naylor is 
very widely known on account of his connection with educational inter- 
ests, as well as the active part which he has taken in political affairs, 
and wherever he is known he is held in high regard by reason of his sterling 
qualities of character which have won him advancement in professional life. 
He is a man of marked individuality and strong character and is accounted 
one of the valued residents of the county seat. 



CHARLES H. LANDES. 

Among the young men of Yates Center whose prominence in public 
afl'airs and ability in business life have won for them a position among 
leading citizens of twice their years is Charles H. Landes, an enterprising 
and successful grocer . His keen discrimination, sound judgment, relia- 
bility and energy well qualify him for the management of mercantile 
ir.terosts and his opinions carry weight in regard to many movements and 
measures relative to the general welfare. 

Mr. Landes was born in Woodson County, on the 7th. of November, 
18fi4. and is a son of the late Isaac S. Landes. an honored pioneer of this rec- 
tion of the state, long connected with agricultural pursuits. He was born 
ir, Kentucky in 1836. His father was a farmer and was of Virginian 
])arentage. It was in the fall of 1859 that Isaac S. Landes came to Kansas, 
locating in Center township, Woodson County. He came from Auburn. 
Sangamon County. Illinois, leaving his home in August of that year, 
with a yoke of oxen and a wagon into which he loaded his household effects. 
With his wife and child he then started westward, concluding the trip in 



TvOOriSON COrNTIHS. KANSAS. S'Ss 

."•iniir wreks. On reat'hiii.u' Woodson County lu' hoinest(_adt'cl a claim on ree- 
tioii twenty-five, township twenty-i'our, range fiftii-en, and began the actual 
Avork of cultivating and improving a farm. In the fall of his arrival he 
erected a cabin containing one room and split the rails with which to 
fence fifteen acres of land. His first crop was one of sod corn, which 
.yielded him only one load of fodder for that was the year of the excessive 
drought — 1860. In his etfort to save the fodder his oxen became frightened, 
ran away and scattered the load over the priarie. 

During the period of hard times which followed the drought, ^Ir. 
l.andes provided for his family by doing butchering for the Germans on 
•Owl creek and by freighting, and in those ways he earned many an honest 
Hollar which aided in tiding him over the period of financial depression 
in this part of the state, (lame was also plentiful, and not a great distance 
away buffalo could be secured. Mr. Landes thus killed enough game 
10 supply the table with meat, and as the years passed his farm became 
productive and his eroj)s materially inereaied his income. He becanie 
one of the substantial farmei's of his comnmnity and was widely known as 
a reliable business man. Diiring the war of the Rebillion he belonged 
to the Kansas State militia and for about a month was engaged in an 
attempt to cheek the Rebel General Price on his raid against Port Scott. 
He participated in the famous run from Moonlight's men who were thought 
1o be Price's men, and five miles were covered before Colonel Moonlight 
could call the fleeing troops back. Mr. Landes also took an active part in 
political affairs during pioneei- days in Woods-on County and was well 
known for his sup])ort of Republican principles even when it was (piite 
unpopular to belong to the new party. 

Mrs. Isaac Landes, the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of 
■Christina Shutt and was a daughter of Henry Shutt. who is still a resi- 
lient of f^angamon County. Illinois, where he has made his home since 
<'arly pioneer da\^. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Landes were born the following 
ramed: Sallie. who became the wife of -J. M. "VVolfer (and after his 
death wedded Prank jMcGinnis) died leaving one child, Godfrey McGinnis: 
Prank, the ;econd of the family, is also deceased: Charles II. is the next 
younger ; Daniel P. has also passed away ; Hale is living in Yates Center : 
Ollie is the wife of Guy Myers, of Wichita. Kansas; Jessie is the deceased 
wife of P. M. Pinley, and Davis completes the family. 

Charles H. Landes has spent almost his entire life in his native county. 
His boyhood days were passed upon the home farm and the sun shown 
down upon many a field as he followed the plow and planted the grain 
that brought rich harvests in the autumn. He pursued his preliminary edu- 
cation in the district schools and later was a student in the Kansas State 
Normal School. Por three years he resided in Kiowa County, during the 
early period of its development, and for two years of that time he was 
agent at Brenham for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Pe Railroad Company. 
In Octolier. 189fi. he opened a grocery store in Yates Centei' where he has 



S56 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

since carried 011 biisiucss. He has a carefully selected but complete stock of- 
siaple and fancy groceries and the business policy is such as to make those 
who once patronise him his constant patrons. His dealings are honorable 
and his consideration and desire to please have won him continually iucreas- 
iiig success. 

On the 21st. of October. 18S(>, Mv. Landes was united in marriage to 
Jliss Bertha Funstou, a daughter of John L. Punston, of Yates Center, 
originally from Ohio. Her death occurred April 21, 1805, and three chil- 
dren were left to mourn her loss— Herbei-t Ross, Charles Harrison and 
Ruth Irene, who reside in Yates Center with their father. With a full 
lealization of the obligations and duties of citizenship Mr. Landes has 
given close thought to the (|uesti(uis affecting the general welfare and 
his mature delibei'ation sanctions the policy and principles of the Repub- 
lican parly. He therefore gives to it his earnest support and is a worker 
in its ranks in Woodson County. For one year he was chairman of the 
county connnittee and was its youngest member. His ability as an or- 
ganizer, his tact in harmonizing the working forces and his keen discern- 
ment, enabling him to manage all affairs elfeetively, have made him a leader 
i:; Republican i-ank'-. He co-operates in all measures for the general good 
and for advancement along subs'anlial lines of progress, and is an esteemed 
representative of one of the honored pioneer families of his county. 



FRED HARTWKI. 

Almo.'-'t forty-three years have come and gone since Fred Hartwig ar- 
iived in AVoodson County. Casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers, he 
took up the work of making a home for himself and at the same time 
bore his full share in the labor ofprogress and development in this section 
of the state. He aided in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civiliza- 
t'on and in promoting the work of advancement along sub.stantial and 
beneficial lines. Throughout the decades he has been accounted one of the 
valued and reliable citizens of the connnunity. 

JMr. Hartwig was born in Prunnnern, Prussia, on the 8th. of August, 
1850. and is a son of Gottlieb and Minnie (Pribbernow) Hartwig, the 
Ir.ttei- a sister of Christian Pribbernow, formerly a resident of Owl Creek 
township, Woodson County. About the year 1856 the parents with their 
children bade adieu to the fatherland and crossed the briny deep to the 
New World, taking up their abode in Kane County, Illinois, where they 
made their home for a year and then came to Kansas, settling in Wood>on 
County. The father was for many years a resident of Humboldt. How- 
ever, the family first located near Leroy, Coffey County, and in 1863 
removed to the" German settlement on Owl creek. The father resides in 
Humboldt, Kansas, and the mother passed away in 1878. Their chil- 
dren were : William : Charles, who was a member of the i^inth Kansas Regi- 



WOODSON COr.NTIES. KANSAS. 857 

iiient in the ("ivil war and died at Fort Scott; Amelia, wlio died in 1863 
Pred ; Bertha, wlio was the wife of JNIartin Henrichs and died in 1890, nm\ 
Henry, who died in 1885. 

The siib.jeet of this review is therefore the only .surviviny member 
<.i the family. He acquired hi.s education in the district schools, and re- 
mained under the parental roof throuirhout the period of his minority. In 
October, 187;^. in Woodson County, he was united in marriage to Miss Jin ly 
Smith, a daughter of Charles Smith, who came to Kansas from Ohio, where 
h': was horn. Nine children have been born unto our sub.ieet and his 
wife: l/ouise. now the wife of James Leonard, of Woodson County: "Wil- 
liam^ who married Grace Waymer and is liviiifr in Woodson County. 
Bertha, wife of I\rariou Beckett, of Woodson County: Aup'ns''a, the wife 
of Harry Peters, of Rose, Kansas; John. Pearl. Clara, Florence and Hazel, 
all at home. 

Mr. HartwifT trives his political support to the Democracy, voting for 
its men and measures, but has never been an aspirant for oflfiee, preferring 
to give his time and attention to his farming operation, which he carj'ies 
on with success. His practical experience well fitted him for the conduct 
of business on his own account, and throughout his active career he has 
lieen identified with agricultural interests, deriving his income from the 
products of tbe fields. 



.VTJ^ERT J. JOXES. 

In the legal profession, which embraces many of the most bT-illiant 
minds of the nation, it is difficult to win a name and place of prominence. 
Many aspire, but few aMain. In commercial life one may start out on a 
more I levatcd plane than o*hers: he may enter info a business already es- 
tabli.sbed and carry it still further forward, but this is not true in the 
case of tbe lawyer. He must commence at the initial point, must plead and 
•vin his first case and work his way upward by ability, gaining bis ri')"ii:i- 
tion j'nd success by merit. Persons do not place their legal business in uu- 
ski !ed hands: it is the man of power before .judtre or .jury who comman.Is 
pu'-i'c patronage. Of thi.s class Mr. Jones is an illustrious type. Re began 
"^s f;l! ( tbers do in the practice of law. and his present promiiione^? has 
C'lme to him as the reward of earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust in.; rfcOir- 
niTd iri'.iity. 

Mr. Jones was born in Warren Comity. Indiana. June 10, 18.57, and is 
V son of William Jones, a farmer, who became a resident of Indiana in his 
boyhood. William Jones was born in Ohio in 1827 and after arriving at 
years of maturity he married Martha S. Tyler, a dauirhter of Paj-ker Tyler, 
who removed from Massachusetts to the Hoosiei- state. In ISfifi William 
Jtnes left Indiana and came to the west, settling near Harnett, Kansas, 
whence he afterward removed to the vicinity of Ceneva, Kansas. At the 



•>5S HISTORY OF ALLE.^ AJ^D 

present tiiin' lie is residing in Yales Centei-. His childrui are: Anna A., 
wife of Thomas L. ilix. who resides near Osborn, Missouri ; Albert J. , 
Eva L., wife of William Harned. of Crawford Coiinty, Kansas, and W'ilber 
S., of Wellston, Oklahoma. 

Since 1869 Mr. Jones of this review has resided in southeastern Kan- 
sas. He attended the connnon schools and then punned a full course in the 
Stale Normal, at Emporia, where he was graduated. He met the expenses of 
his normal course by teaching and for thirteen years he followed that pro- 
fession, becoming' widely recognized as one of the most capabje instructors 
in this portion of the state. He was principal of the schools of Kinslej- for 
one year, of Toronto for a similar period and of Neosho Falls for three- 
years. Prominent and successful in educational work, he condiicted several 
teachers' institutes, has been a member of the county examining board for 
fight .years and has also been president of the County Teachers' Associa- 
tion. 

Mr. Jones was admitttd to tiie bar in 1890, and has .steadily advanced 
in. his profession, having long since left the ranks of the many to stand 
among the successful few. A local .journal said of him: "Among the legal 
fraternity in this judicial district no one is more favorably known than A. 
4. Jones. His private and professional career has been such as to inspire 
the fullest confidence in his trustworthiness and ability. His practice is a 
general one and a specialty is made of probate law, in which, from wide 
experience he is highly protieient. He has practiced in the appellate and 
supreme courts in the United States covirts and in the departments at 
Washington. An important feature of his practice is the drawing up of 
papers and correct legal counsel in which his marked ability is recognized." 

A s'aunch and reliable Republican Mr. Jones labors zealously to ad- 
v.Mice the interests of his party. He has been called to various public 
offices, wherein he has demonstrated his public-spirit by the faithful per- 
formance of duty. For two terms he has held the office of pi'obate .judge 
and for one term he was county attorney. In the first named office, every 
one of his decisions which were appealed were affirmed by the higher 
courts, and as county attorney his work was equally as thorough, reflecting 
credit upon himself and his constituents. At the present time he is serving 
as city clerk and as city attorney of Yates Center. He has also been 
chairman of the Republican county central committee, and at all times 
is active in the interests of his party. 

On the 12th. of September, 1882, Mr. Jones wedded Miss Minnie B. 
Smith, a daughter of Dr. N. J. M. Smith and Sarah J. Smith, who came 
to the west from Virginia. Mrs. Jones is one of a family of six children, and 
by her marriage she has two children: Zelle M., born June 14. 1892. and 
Doris, born March Ifi. 1896. In his social relations Mr. Jones is a Knight of 
Pythias and an Odd Fellow. He is also identified with the military in- 
tces's of the state, being second lieutenant of company L, First Regiment 
of the Kansas National Guard, appointed by Governor Stanle.v. He is one 



WQODsoN countie;;. kansas. 859 

iif the eraek iiiarksiiieu of the company, as his score at target practice re- 
Veals, lu a siiiiunary of the life record of Mr. Jones these qualities stand 
cmspieuously forth: Fidelity to his clients' interests in the profession of 
the law ; promptness in the discharge of official duties ; correctness in 
military tactics and, absolute obedience to military regulations; loyalty 
fraternal principles and devotion to family and friends. 



G. A. LAUDE. 

For almost twenty years G. A. Laude has resided in Perry township, 
\^'(fodson County, upon the farm which is yet his home, and has become 
one of the leading stock dealers of the conununity, doing a large business. 
He is a western man by birth and throughout his life has been in touch with 
the progressive and determined spirit of this section of the country. He 
was born near Dubuc(ue, Iowa, October 13, 1860, a son of G. F. Laude, a 
native of IMontbellaird, France, who when thirty-five years of age came 
to the United States, first locating in Oswego County, New York, where- he 
remained until the early '50s, when he emigrated westward, taking up his 
abode in Dubuque County. Iowa. His mother was born in Germany and 
at six years of age. with her parents, came to the United States locating in 
Oswego County, New York. The father of our subject died in 1875, and his 
mother passed away in April, 1893, at the age of seventy years. Mr. 
J/aude has one brother, Chas. A., of Kansas City, and two sisters, Mrs. J. 
H. Vanter and Mrs. Carrie L. Turner, both of Girard, Kansas; also a niece 
Ella L. Houck, whose parents died when she was two years old and who has 
since lived with his family. 

Upon a farm in Moniteau County, Missouri, Gus Laude was raised, 
tiiere spending fifteen years. He attended the graded schools of California, 
that state, except tAVO years, which was spent in a German school. At the 
age of eighteen he started out upon his business career by dealing in horses 
and mules on a small scale, but has since followed that pursuit and is now 
one of the most extensive representatives of the business in Woodson 
County, dealing exclusively in Mules, buying and selling first class stock 
at any time. On coming to this county in 1882 he located on the farm where 
he has resided continiiously since with the exception of a brief period spent 
iu merchandising in Loekwood, Missouri. He purchased here two hundred 
and forty acres of raw land on sections eighteen and nineteen, Perry town- 
ship and his labors were at once directed toward its development and culti- 
vation. Nature is bountiful in her gifts and in return for the care bestowed 
upon the fields yielded to him good harvests, so that he gained therefrom a 
comfortable competence, largely increased by his sales of horses and mules. 

In California. Missouri, on the 16th of April, 1884. was performed a 
wedding ceremony which united the destinies of ]Mr. Laude and Miss Ettie 
^V'eyer, a daughter of G. 11. Meyer, who came from Germany to the United 



86o HISTORY OF ALLKN AND 

Sfatc's when a small boy. The marriage of our subject and his wife has 
been blessed with one daughter, Florence : and six sous ; Hilmer. Martin, 
Herbert, Chester, Clay and Ernest. In political affiliations the Laudes were 
originally Republicans and our subject supported that party until 1888, 
when he voted for Streator, since which time he has been active in support 
ol the People's party. He takes an active interest in politics, and was 
chairman of the sixth Missouri District Populist Central Committee and 
ured his position to aid in securing the election of DeArmoud to congress. 
Since coming to Woodson County he has also done everything in his power 
tii promote the cause of the party he espouses. The cause of education finds 
in him a warm friend and his labors in behalf of the schools have been 
practical and etifecMve. He has frequently written for the press on this and 
o1her subjects. He ir a member and one of the trustees of the United 
Brethren church at IVIaple Grove, and is ever found on the side of progress, 
reform nnd impiovc^uient in nil wnlks of life. 



OEORGE R. STEPHENSON. 

In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of 
the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful prep- 
ai-ation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life, or of 
the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and 
privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determina- 
tion to fully utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure 
personal success and prestige in this great profession which stands as the 
stern conservator of ju.stice: and it is one which none should enter withoiit 
a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be w-on, 
for success does not perch on the falchion of every person who enters the 
competitive fray, but comes only as the direct result of capability. Posses- 
sing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer. George R. Stephenson is 
new an honored and prominent member of the bar of Woodson County, re- 
siding in Yates Center. 

A native of Geauga County, Ohio, Mr. Stephenson w-as born in 1851, 
and is a representative of one of the old colonial families. His paternal 
grandfather, the Rev. Thomas B. Stephenson, was a descendant of one 
oJ the members of the "Boston tea party." James E. Stepheufon, the father 
of our subject, was born on Staten Island, New York, in 1819, and in 1825, 
when a child .became a' resident of Geauga County. Ohio. He now resides 
in Chardon, that state. He followed merchandising during much of his ac- 
tive business career, but after attaining the age of fifty-five years he studied 
law and was admitted to the bar, becoming a successful legal practitioner. 
During the war he served as a draft commissioner. His wife. Lavinia 
Stephenson, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, in 1819. and was a daughter 
of Lebbeus Norton, who located in that county at a very early day. He was 



WOODSON COUNTIE:;. KANSAS. 86 t 

a native of Killiiigswortli, Coimectieut, born in 1788. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
btephenson were born fonr children: James P., a minister of the gospel 
who is now a member of the faculty of the Baptist College, in Des Moines, 
Iowa ; Herbert N., who is now connected ^^'ith a banking house in Minnea- 
polis. Minnesota ; George R., and Cluirles F., who resides in Chardon, Ohio. 

In the schools of his native state Mr. Stephenson of this review ac- 
'juired his education and later studied law in the office of his father. Ad- 
mitted to the bar he practiced for one year in Chardon before coming to 
Kansas, but since July 18, 1879. he has resided in Yates Center, and has 
won distinction as an attorney in the county seat, nor is his reputation 
limited bj' the confines of Woodson County for he is one of the recognized 
leaders among the legal fraternity in this section of the sta*^e aaid his re- 
markable success in the higher courts hai^: demonstrated his ability as a 
pleader and given evidence of his profound knowledge of the law. He is 
noted as a lawmaker and in the celebrated case of Briggs versus the Chicago, 
Kansas & Western Railroad Company he established a precedent that when 
'ailways acquire a right of way over mortgaged land by deed from the 
owner of the fee and the same is sold under the mortgage, the sale in- 
cludes all improvements placed on said property by the said railroad com- 
pany pi-ior to the sale. 

"VNTiile a strong Republican at all times and active in the interests of 
his party, Mr. Stephenson's legal ability and integrity were such as to 
overcome all i)olitieal prejudice and he was appointed justice of the peace 
by Governor Glick which is an unmistakable evidence of the esteem in which 
he is held regardless of his political affiliations. In 1893 he was appointed 
receiver of the Woodson State Bank. The fact that his bond for fifty 
thousand dollars was'readily signed by fifty sureties in a time of universal 
financial distress showed clearly the confidence reposed in his business in- 
tegrity. In his practice he is particularly prominent and fortunate, fortu- 
nate because of his pi'ononnced ability, his thorough understanding of the 
]>rinciples of jurisprudence and the correctness with which he applies the 
h.w to the points in litigation. 

In December. 1878, Mr. Stephenson married Miss Maria L. Peter, a 
daughter of Edward Pe+er, of Tuscarawas Coiinty, Ohio. She died in Sep- 
tember, 1887, leaving three children: Bertha S., James E. and Oliver H. 
In October. 1888 Mr. Stephenson was again married, his second union be- 
ivig with Mrs. Laura Carpenter, widow of George D. Carpenter, who was 
one of the leading citizens of Woodson County in the early epoch of her 
history. The second marriage was celebrated in Enn)oria. Kansas, and 
has been blessed with one son, George E. 

In the first half of the nineteenth century the Stephensons were Wliigs, 
but since 18.5G representatives of the name have supported Republican prin- 
ciples and since easting his fir't vote for General Grant our subject has de- 
posited a ballot for each presidential nominee of the Republican party. He 
now gives the greater part of his time to his legal practice which I'xtends 



862 HISTORY OF ALLKN AMJ 

to all the courts of the state and is of a distiuetively representative char- 
acter and involves many important interests.' He is a man of unquestioned 
honestj' of purpose, despising all unworthy means to secure success in any 
undertakinn; or for any purpose, or to promote his own advancement in any 
direction, whether political or otherwise. 



J. H. STICKER. 

J. H. STICHER. who is engaged in the practice of law at Yates Cen- 
ter, has been a resident of Woodson County since August, 1871. He was 
born in Brunswick, (Germany, on the 27th. of November, 1846. His father 
was a ninufaeturer of barometers and thermometers and his trade ex- 
tended over the greater part of the German empire. He had four sons 
and four daughters, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest. The 
one living brother is Frederick, who resides at Cairo, Illinois. One sister, 
Mrs. Dora Kassebaum, is living in Clay County, Kansas. 

During his boyhood Mr. Stieher of this I'eview acquired a good educa- 
tion in Germany. He was a student in the high seliool when he was in- 
duced to come to the United States in 1863. Making preparations to leave 
friends and native land, he sailed aero.ss the broad Atlantic and arrived 
at New York city on the 1st,, of March of that year, making his way thence 
t.i Cairo. Illinois, where he learned the baker's and confectioner's trade. 
He was in Memphis. Tennessee, in 1866 and the year 1867 was spent in St. 
Louis, Missouri. In 1868 he became a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas, 
where he resided for two years following his chosen occupation. From that 
place he came to Woodson County and took up his abode in Neosho Falls, 
where for ten years he conducted a grocery and confectionery business. He 
was associated with C. B. Gravis and H. D. Dickson in a social way at 
Neosho Falls. Through their influence he was induced to take up the study 
of law. He began his reading under the direction of Mr. Dickson and 
when he had mastered many of the principles of .iuri.'^prudence he was ad- 
mitted to the bar in Burlington. Kansas, in the fall of 1880, before Judge 
Payton. Soon afterward he embarked in practice and his first case involved 
the ownership of a calf and settled a disputed point concerning property. 
In the fall of 1888 he was elected county attorney in which capacity he 
!■•( rved for two years. He was then nominated for re-election on the Re- 
publican ticket, but owing to the political revolution movement he was de- 
feated. By appointment, he has served as city attorney and city cleric of 
Yates Center for four years and is now serving his second term as justice 
cf the peace. He has a large practice of a representative character and his 
mental qualities, natural and acquired ability, have made him a leading 
member of the "Woodson County har. 

On the 11th. of September, 1871, Mr. Stieher was united in marriage 
io Miss Katie Dulinskv, whose father was a Polish Prussian and was killed 



•1 1 QiiantreH's raid at Lawrence, Kajisas, in 1863. Unto our subject and his 
wife have been born tlie following named : Charles H., who is with- the 
Missouri Pacific Railroad Company as telegraph operator, and married Ger- 
trude Weekely; Henry C, a printer, and Dora. Mr. Stieher is a Koyal 
r\rch Mason. For thirty years he has been a member of the frattn-nity and 
has occupied nearly all of the official positions in tln= lodge and chapter. 
He is well informed on the tenets of the order and his record is that he is 
one of the most prfifieient ]\f-asons in southern Kansa.s. 



S. GRANT KECK. 

Among the younger business men of Yates Center is numbered S. 
Grant Keck, a member of tin? well known mercantile firm of Keek & Young. 
He was born in Loogootee, Martin County, Indiana, on the 30th of May. 
1868, and is a son of A. A. and Jane Keck. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject was Philip Ke«k, a native of Gt'rmanj', who founded the family 
in the United States. His son, A. A. Keck, was born in Marl in County, 
Ind.. in 1838, and married Miss Jane MeArter. In 1880 he came with his 
family to Woodson County and was afterward elected and served as sheriff 
here. 

S. Grant Keek, his fourth child, spent his boyhood days on the home 
farm, woi'king in the field from th<? time of eai'ly spring planting luitil 
^fter the t;rops were gathered in the autumn. The public schools afforded 
him his educational privileges in addition to two years in the Kansas Noi'mal 
College at Ft. Scott, and when his school days were ended he followed 
farming for seven years, after which he removed to Toronto, in October, 
1899, and was there engaged in the hardware business, also dealing in hay. 
It' 1900 he came to Yates Cen^^er and has since carried on business as a 
member of the firm of Keck & Young, the partner.ship having been formed 
in 1898. 

In October, 1892, in Yates Centei', Mr. Keck was united in marriage to 
Miss May Baker, a daughter of B. P. Baker, of this place. Two children 
gi'aee their union : Cecil B. and Charles. The parents enjoy the warm 
regard of many friends and their own home is celebrated for its hospitalitj'. 
Socially Mr. Keck is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and 
he exercises his right of franchise in siipport of the men and measures of 
the Republican party, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to 
<ievote his time and attention to his business in which he is meeting witi 
'Creditable success. 



JOSEPH A. HALE. 

Few of the residents of Woodson County have so long resided within 
iits borders as Joseph Allen Hale who came hither in July 1866. His name 



864 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXT) 

i.i associated with progress along intellectual, social, moral and material 
lines. As a worthy citizen he is widelj^ acknowledged by all who know 
liinu He was born in Maine, November 15, 1836, his parents being Aaron 
and Hannah (Kenney) Hale, both of whom were natives of the Pine Ti'ee 
slate. His grandfather, Dr. Hale, resided in the city of New Sharron, 
Franklin County, Maine, and the family were probably residents of that 
slate at the time of the war of the Kevolution. The Kenneys were also a 
prominent family there at an early date and Charles Kenney, the grand- 
father of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Subsequently he 
removed to Lake County, Indiana, where he died in 1857. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Deborah Rollins. Aaron Hale, the father of our sub- 
.ject. was born in 1810 and died in 1898. His youth was spent upon a farm 
and when he had attained to years of maturity he marritd Miss Hannali 
Kenney, the wedding being celebi-ated about 1830. In 1837 he left the 
; tate of his nativity and with his family removed to a farm in Lake County, 
Lidiana. The land on which he settled was then wild and unimproved, but 
l:is labors in the course of years wrought a great transformation and the 
niaee became a very attractive and valuable one. In his family were ten 
childien : Deborah, who became the wife of Richard Fuller, b.y whom she 
had a large family, but is now deceased; Joseph of this review; Laura 
Ann. the wife of Philander Hart, of Woodson County ; Holbrook. who 
was killed at the battle of Shiloh while serving his country as a member of 
ihe Ninth Indiana infantry ; James E., a contractor and builder, who 
served in the Seventy-third Indiana infantry and now resides in Chicago; 
Jerry M., who was a soldier of the One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana 
infantry and is now living in Lowell, Indiana ; Charles, a practicing phy- 
sician of Revenna. Nebraska; Nettie, the wife of Charles Henderson, of 
rhicago; Sarah, the wife of Clinton Shupe, also of Chicago, and Hannah. 
V -lio is the wife of William Bigbee. a resident of Clearwatei'. Kansas. 

Upon the homestead farm in Lake County, Indiana. Mr. Hale of this 
review was reared and in the schools of the neighborhood he acquired his 
educa*^ion. He was married in Lake County on the 11th. of December, 1861. 
io Miss Julia McCann, a daughter of Aaron McCann. who was a farmer of 
TJiat locality whither he had removed from New York. Mrs. Hale was 
born in Micliigan, September 28, 1842, and by her marriage became the 
inotber of the following named children : James H.. the eldest, who is a 
resident of Pawnee, Oklahoma, and wedded Mary Wright. He served as a 
representative to the lower house of legislature, being a member of the 
session of 1887-8. Jennie L. is the wife of Ceorge Bideau, of Buffalo, 
where he occupies the position as principal of the public schools; Charles 
A., who is cashier of the Commercial State Bank at Yates Center, and mar- 
ried Clara Hisey; Clarence Hale, who married Olive Cullison. and is now 
with the firm of Lewis & Son, hardware merchants of Garnett. Kansas, 
with whom he has been associated in business since 1890. Joseph A. Hale 
came lo the west in 1866 in company with a colony of half dozen families. 



WOODSON COOXTIES. KANSAS. 865 

He believed that he might better his condition in a state where the settlers 
were not so numerous and he secured a claim seven miles south of Yates 
Center. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his land and as the years passed he added to his propertj- until his 
farm comprised three hundred and sixty acres, constituting a very valuable 
tract. In 1897, hov.ever, he left the farm, taking up his abode in Yates 
Center where he has since resided. He is now vice president of the Com- 
i.'iercial State Bank and also a member of its board of directors. His ac- 
tivit.y in former years in the line of agricultural pursuits brought to him 
>. handsome compel enee that now enables him to live practically retired in 
the enjoyment of a well deserved rest. Although he was reared in the 
Democratic faith, he east his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and 
has since been a stalwart Republican. Since 1862 he has been a member of 
the Preewill BnDtist church and in 18S0 began preaching as a minister oF 
that denomination. His influence has ever .been given in support of meas- 
ures calculated to prove of general good and to uplift his fellow men. In 
all life's relations he has been true to honorable principles and to every 
trust reposed in him. And all with whom he has been brought in contact 
entertain for him tlio highest regard by reason of his genuine worth •'' 
character. 



CHARLES S. SAFERITE. 

Few of the residents of AVoodson County have been longer connected 
with this portion of the ttate than Charles S. Saferite, who has made his 
home in this locality for forty-two years. He was but a babe when brought 
t'j Kansas by his parents, his birth having occurred in Hendricks County, 
Indiana, October 2'2. 1858. His father. A?a Saferite, was a native of 
North Carolina, and when a young man emigrated to Indiana, where he met 
Tind married Miss Nancy Berryman, a native of Kentucky. He was familiar 
~\vilh several lines of mechanical work, being a miller, millwright, earpentei' 
and cabinet-maker and his efficiency in those directions enabled him to 
provide well for his family. In 1859. he came with wife and children to 
Kansa.'', settling first in Leroy where he lived for 12 j^ears. On the expira- 
tion of that period he removed to Neosho Falls, where he died in 1884, at 
the age of 54 yeai's. His wife still survives him, and is living in Neosho 
Falls, at the age of sixty years. 

Charles S. Saferite is the .second child and eldest son in their family 
of six children, all of whom are yet living. He was only a year old when 
brought to Kansas, where he has .since resided, being one of the honored 
pioneers of Woodson County. He acfpiircd a common school education and 
fi<')m the age of 13 years was reared upon a farm. He remained with his 
parents until twenty years of age and then went to Colorado, where he 
sj)ent a year in viewing the state, after which he returned to Woodson 
County. 



flTsroRV OF ALCEN ANT7 

On the 10th of February, 18S0, ilr. Saferite was uuitod iu luari-iagt 
lo Miss Susan MoDaniel. aiul then rented a farm which he continued to 
cultivate for four years. "Witli the money he had acquired through the 
:ales of crops in that time, he then purchased one lunidred acres of timber 
land on the banlc of the river a mile above Xeosho Falls, and by untiriuir 
labor and capable management transformed it into a very desirable farm. 
He began raising potatoes and corn and noAv has in cidtivatiim upon that 
farm seventy acres of kind. In ISOfi he purchased oue hundred and forty 
acres a half mile ea:t of his first place, and therefore today owns two hun- 
dred and forty acres of rich bottom land which never fails to yield a crop, 
lie plan's corn, wheat and potatoes and annuall.v gathers good harvests, 
fie is also sucee sfnlly engaged in raising hogs. When he started upon 
an independent business career he had only thirty-five dollars and a nuile 
team : today be owns a very fine farm and is acconnted one of the well-to-do 
citizens of the comnmnitj'. 

The lady who now bears the name of ilrs. Saferite is a native of Vir- 
ginia and in 1S69, she accompanied her mother to Illinois, whence they 
eame to Kansas in 1875. Her father, Alford McDaniel. was a native of 
Virginia and was killed in the Civil war at the battle of Sharpsburg, Sep- 
teiuber 17, 1S62. after serving for one year. The mother afterward removed 
westward with her children and died in Woodson County in 18S0. Mrs. 
Saferite was a maiden of sixteen summers when she came to Kansas and 
here she has .-^ince resided. By her marriage, she has become the mother of 
nine children: Ira Asa, Jennie ^lay, Lee Alford, Iva Etta, Ray Oeorge. 
Ada FJlen. Roy Charles. Ida Susan and Ola :Malinda. The family circle 
yet remains unbroken by the hand of death, and the children are all under 
the parental roof. 

Mr. Saferite is a member of the ^lodern "Wooilmen of America, the 
.\ncient Order of United Workmen, the National Aid Associa'^iou and the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Kniarhts of Pythia^-. all of Xeosho 
Falls. In his political sentiments he is a Freesilver Republican. There 
have been no exciting chapters in his career, but a stead fa.'^tness of purpose 
has enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and 
advance steadily toward the goal of pro.sperity. His example in this respect 
1^ certainly a etniunendable one. for the eonrse he has followed has ever been 
in harmony with iipright business principles. As a pioneer settler he also 
deserves mention in this vohnne for he has witnessed the growth and devel- 
opment of the connt;*- from the primitive pei'iod, has seen the great trans- 
fornuition wrought as the district has been settled by a thriving and eon- 
tented people and has felt a commendable pride in its advancement. 



CLINTON A. WO(^DRUFF. 

American history has a new chapter in its war record, for in the 
rsing vears of the nineteenth century the suprenuicy of American arms 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 867 

was pstabli.slied in the West Indies and in the Philippines, and one of the 
old powers of Europe and the insurgents of the Orient had to acknowledge 
Ihe supremacy of the progress, might and civilization of the great republic 
of the new world. Among thore who fought to sustain the dignity of the 
slars and stripes in the Philippines, was numbered Clinton A. Woodruff, 
who is now capably serving as clerk of the district court in Woodson 
county. 

He wa?: born in this county, August 29, 1874, a .son of Abraham T. 
Woodruff, one of the well known and prominent farmers of the community. 
Tie came to Woodson County in 18f)9, locating in Center township, on see- 
lion .thirty, township twenty-five, range sixteen, where he has since resided. 
In addition to agricullural pursuits he has also followed carpentering. He 
eame to the West from Paulding, Ohio, his birth having occurred in that 
slale in 183:i. He acquired a meager education, served an apprenticeship 
to the carpenter's trade and for .several years was engaged on the con- 
struction of the Ohio sta^e canal as a mechanic. He was married in Ohio 
to Miss Sarah A. Kretzsinger. of Penn.sylvania-Oerman stock, and in 186,9. 
he came across the country to Kansas with his family. There are nine 
children: Charles H., a resident of Columbus, Ohio; .John P., of Kendal- 
ville. Indiana; Mary J., wife of J. Ragle, of lola. Kansas; James P., of 
Woodson County; Albert, of Geneva. Kansas; Will A., also of lola; Clin- 
ton A.; Hatfie M.. and Prank. 

Beared in his native county, Clinlon A. Woodruff attended the common 
schools and in 1894 entered the Kansas State Normal, where he spent 
nearly two years. He had intended to engaee in teaching, but circumstances 
caused him to change his plans. In May, 1898, he enlisted in Leroy, Kansas, 
as a member of Company E. Twentieth Kansas Volunteers, for service in 
the Spanish American war. The regiment went into camp at Topeka, and 
thence was ordered to San Prancisco, where it remained for several months, 
having port in October for the Philippines and arriving at Manilla Bay 
<ni the :^Oth of Novembei-, the voyage being made on the Indiana. Mr. 
Woodruff participated in all the engagements with his command from the 
lime of the outbreak of the trouble on the 4th of Pebruary until the last 
engagement of the regiment at San Pernando. The troops were then 
ordered back to Manilla about the 2f)th of .June,, and on board the transport 
Tartar, returned to San Prancisco, by way of Hong Kong and Yokahama. 
In October the Tartar reached the Golden Gate, and on the 2d of November 
the Twentieth arrived in Topeka to there meet with a noted reception. Mr. 
Woodruff was honorably discharged at San Prancisco, and arrived at home 
on the 3d of November, 1899. 

He devoted his time to the work of the farm until the 25th of June, 
1900, when he was nominated for the position of clerk of the district court, 
Miid beintr elected by a hand.some ma.iority of three hundred and eighteen, 
he entered upon his duties January 14. 1901, so that he is the present 
incumbent. He is a young man of sterling worth, reliable, faithful and popu- 
lar, and will no doubt prove a most efficient officer. 



.S6S HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

LOMANDO P. PIERCE. 

That Mr. Pierce is numbered aiiiong the iipbuilders of the county is 
indicated by the fact that one of ils thriving villatres has been named in 
his honor. The town of Lomando practically is a monument to his enter- 
prising spirit and its commercial activity has been largely brought about 
through his efVorts. 

Almost half the wealth of the continent now separates Mr. Pierce 
from his birthplace, for he first opened his eyes to the light of day in 
Berryville. Sullivan Coxmty. New York. jMarch 20, 1852." His father, 
Robert H. Pierce, was a native of New Jersey and when a young man went 
tr New York, where he met and married Amy E. Matthew.-, a native of the 
Empire state. In 1856 he removed with his family to Ottawa, Illinois, 
where he worked at the trades of a miller and millwright, following those 
pursuits from early manhood until 1884 when he removed to Kansas, taking 
up his abode upon a farm which he purchased, pix miles east of Yates Center. 
There he died in June, 1889. at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife, 
Avho still survives him. now resides with her son, our subject, in the town 
of Lomando. 

Lomando P. Pierce was only eight vears of age when he accompanied 
his parents to Joliet, ATill Count.v, Illinois, where he resided for about 
20 years. He accpiired his education in the common schools and at the 
age of fifteen entered the emplo.v of S, 0, Simons, a grocery merchant, in 
whose store he remained a'^ bookkeeper and manager for seven years. On 
the expiration of that period he accepted the irosition of bookkeeper with 
the ^Yatkins & Ashley Wire Conipauy, and three years later he went to 
St. Louis. ;\rissouri. with the Stephens Wire Fence Company, in the .'^ame 
capacity. He had been with that firm for only nine mouths when it failed, 
after which he .ioiued his father in Kansas and for ten years engaged in 
the operation of his father's farm. In 1895 he established a station on the 
Santa Fe railroad and it bears his name. He conducts hei-e a grocery 
store, also deals in coal and buys and ships hay. carrying on an extensive 
business in that product, ^^hipping from two to three hundi'cd carloads 
or hay annually. His othei" business interests are also profitable and he 
now enjoys a good income from his investments and his labors. 

On the 17th of February. 1880. Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to 
Miss Addah Fellows, who was born in Chicago. Illinois, and they now have 
two children. Frank and Florence. The family are widel.v known in the 
comnmnity and the members of the household occupy eu\'iable positions in 
social circles. "Mv. Pierce is an advocate of Republican principles and 
expresses his preference through his ballot. He is now serving as post- 
master of Lomando, having been appointed in 1885. His business success 
is very counnendable for along the lines of legitimate trade he has gained 
his prosperity, having strict regard for the ethics of commercial life. 
Regarded as a citizen he belongs to that public .spirited, useful and helpful 
type of men whose ambition and desires are centered and directed in those 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 869 

chauiiels lliroiiyh which flows the greatest good to the greatest number, and 
it is therefore consistent with the purpose and plan of this work that his 
record be given among the representative men of his county. 



ADAM F. BRENNER. 

ADAM F. Hi\ENNER, who follows farming- in Xeoslu) Fails town- 
.ship, Woodson Coxmty, was boin in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, on 
the 8th of April, 1843. His father, John P. Brenner, was a native of 
Prussia, and was married in that country ere he crossed the Atlantic to 
the new world in 1840. He located in the Keystone state and there reared 
his family of six children, three of whom are now living. 

The eldest surviving member of the family is Adam F. Brenner who 
spent his youth in his native slate and was educated in the common schools, 
after which he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until the 
inaugural ion of the Civil war. He was married on the 22d of ilarch, 1863, 
\o Miss Ester Croyler, a native of Pennsylvania, and on the 26th of Feb- 
ruary. 1864, he bade adieu to his bride and enlisted in the service of his 
country, as a member of Company I, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. 
He participated in many hard fought battles, including the engagement 
of the Shenandoah Valley, on the 15th of May, 1864, New Marl<et!^ Win- 
chester, Septeiiibei- 19: Fislier Hill. September 22; Cedar Creek, October 
19; Petersburg, April 2, 186.5. and the battle of High Bridge, in Virginia, 
where he was captured just three days before the surrender of General 
Lee. He was never wounded by a gun shot but was badly injured in an 
engagement and yet suffers therefrom. On the 31st of May, 1865, the 
war having ended, he was mus'ered out and i-eturned to his home. 

Resuming work at the carpenter's trade. Mr. Brenner followed that 
pursuit until 1871. On the 9th of October, 1865, he arrived in Kansas 
City, Kansas, and in 1870 he came to Woodson County, where he pur- 
chased eight hundred aci'es of land on Turkej' creek, remaining there for 
22 years. On the expiration of that period he came to his present farm, 
:i half mile north of Neosho Falls, pui'chasing one hundred acres of rich 
bcttom land, on which he is now extensively engaged in raising wheat and 
corn. He also handles hogf. and to them feeds all of his corn crop. He 
has made most of the improvements upon his i)laee. has erected two large 
and substantial barns and has added all the accessories which are today 
regarded as necessary to a first-class farm. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brenner has been blessed with twelve 
children, six of whom are yet living; Fred and George, who are residents 
cf lola, Kansas; Henry, at home; Clara, wife of Charles Garrett, of 
''Vc.(>dson County; Belle and Minnie, who are still with their parents. 
Saiah Jane and Lizzie have passed away. In his political affiliation, Mr. 
r>n>nner is a stalwart RepublicaJi, and says he votes as he shot. He eer- 



870 HISTORY OF .-VLLEN AND 

tainly was a loyal soldier and is no less faithful to his duties of citizenship 
in times of peace. Political preferment however, he does not covet, and his 
attention has been given to his business affairs in a way that brings him 
a splendid return for his labors. Although he came to Kansas with little 
capital he is mnv one of the substantial citizens of Woodson County, a good 
piopt-rty being the substantial evidence of his labor. 



DAVID II. HENRY. 

A veteran of two wars, an enterprising farmer and breeder of fine 
stock and one of the reliable citizens of Woodson County, David H. Henry 
certainly merits mention among the leading men of this portion of the 
state. He was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1827, 
and has therefore passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten 
but is still aetivel.y concerned with the affairs of business life. His father, 
David Henry, Sr., was a native of New Hamp.shire and married Lueinda 
Ellis, who was born in Vermont. When a young man he removed to the 
Keystone state, where he followed farming and also worked at the mill- 
wright's trade. However, during the greater part of his residence in Penn- 
sylvania he gave his imdivided attention to agricultural pursuits. He 
passed away about 1845 and his wife died about 1841. They were the 
parents of seven children, but only two are now living— David H. and a 
sister. 

Mr. Henry, of this re\'iew. was the youngest of the famil}^ He was 
educated in the Wellsboro Academy, at Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and was 
reared to the work of the farm, plowing and planting the fields in the 
early spi-ingtime, and harvesting the crops in the summer and autumn. 
He woi'ked at home until after the inauguration of the Mexican war, when 
his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment and he joined the army. He 
saw hard service under the command of General Winfield Scott and par- 
ticipated in five battles, being wounded in the knee at the engagement of 
San Juan de Ulloa. He was then sent to the hcspital in New Orleans. 
The term of his service covered almost two years. 

After his return home Mr. Henry made the acquaintance of i^iss Han it t 
Fairchild. of Canada, who was then visiting in Pennsjivania. and on the 
3d of June. 1852, they were married. After his father's death, Mr. Henry 
and his eldest brother purchased the old homestead, consisting of about 
one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he operated until 1854, when 
h ■ sold his interest in the farm and removed to Illinois, purchasing there 
a small tract of land which he continued to cultivate until the sectional 
differences between the North and the South involved the country in civil 
war. He was a Mexican veteran in who^e heart the fires of patriotism 
yet burned brightly. He could not stand to see the flag of his country 
assailed so wlieii the first cfill for three y(>ar's men was made in 18nl. he 



XvOOnSO-N CCaJNTIKS. KANSA'S. '^j;-! 

went forth to do batth' for the Union, enlisting in Company 1. 1 xwnty- 
:third Illinois Infantry, with which he was sent to Lexington, Missouri. 
His eomnianil there met a body of the enemy by whom they were defeated 
:aijd captured and then sent to Chicago for exchange. Subsequently, Mr. 
Henry was sent to the Eastern army and participated in a number of 
iattles, including the engagements of Pisher Hill, Virginia, Cedar Creek, 
Cold Harbor and one year's service in front of Pet^ersburg. He manj' 
times narrowly. escaped being wounded or killed, on one occasion a minnie 
ball passing between the sole of his shoe and his foot. In August, 1865, he 
received an honorable discharge and returned to his home, again having 
inade a creditable military record as a defender of his country. 

Mr. Henry remained in Illinois until 1869, when he came with his 
family to Kansas, settling three miles northwest of where Piqua is now 
located and four miles south of Neosho Falls. He secured a homesteaj 
-of eighty acres and purcha-sed an additional eighty-acre tract, so that he 
now has a good farm of a quarter section. It is fine land and he is suc- 
cessfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialtj' 
of Polled Angus and Galloway cattle, of which he has some veiy fine speci- 
mens. He has done not a little to impro\«e the grade of stock raised in the 
community'. 

In 1874. Mr. Henry was called ui)fiii to moum the loss of his wife, 
who died at the age of forty-seven years. Seven children were born to 
them and were left to mourn the loss of a devoted mother. These are 
Lewis R., at home; Celia, wife of W. S. Cape, of Missouri; Alice, at 
home; David L., who is living on a farm in this neighborhood; Lenora; 
AYillamet, and Lueinda, wife of R. L. Dunton, of Neosho Falls. The 
family is one well loiown in this locality for the sterling worth of its 
individual members. Mr. Henry has served as justice of the peace in 
Neosho Palls township for about sixteen years, proving a most reliable 
•officer as neither fear nor favor can dctiu- him from tlip even handed 
:administrati(m of justice. 



A. J. BEAM. 

A. J. BEAM, who is m;mbered among the prosperous, practical and 
progressive farmers of Woodson County, was born in Wayne County, 
!New York. ,Tulj^ 5, 1833. His father, John S. Beam, t\-as a native of 
South Carolina, born in Chopee. July 3, 1807. Having arrived at years 
■of maturity he wedded Margaret DeLong. and they became the parents 
•of seven children, of whom four are yet living, namely: Jacob, Malissa, 
Hannah and A. J. The father parsed away January 30, 1884, and his 
■wife died March 1. 1880, at the age of seventy-five years. 

A. J. Beam pursued a common school education in New York, and 
remained with his pai-ents until he had attained his majority. He after- 



i 



KISTORY OP ALLEN AND 

uard learned the carpenter's trade ,and for two years followed that piu- 
siiit in Slichigan, after which he returned to his old home on a visit, 
His next place of lesidence was Galesburg, Illinois, where he was employed 
for some time at carpenferin";, and later he worked at his trade in AYinfield, 
Henry County, Iowa, following that vocation eontinnoaslj' nntil 1S84, 
when he came to Kanras, .since which time he has been a representative 
of agrienltnral interests. 

After residing in Iowa for some time Mr. Beam formed the ac(inain- 
tanee of Miss Mary E. Harkness, and on the 16th of June, 1857. they 
were married. The lady was born in Delaware county. New York, June 
16, 1838, and they have traveled life's journey together for forty- four 
ycar^:. Her parents were James B. and Maigaret (Fleming) Harkness, the 
former a native of the Empire state, while the latter was born in Cam- 
l)ridge. New York. Mrs. Beam is of Irish and Scotch lineage. Her 
maternal great-great-grandfather, George T. Fleming, was killed in the now 
icnowned battle of Colloden, Scotland, which was the last battle in which 
Prince Charles Edward Stuart fought. James Fleming, her great-grand- 
fr;ther was in London the day on which King George was crowned monarch 
ivf England. George Fleming, her grandfather, was the founder of the family 
in America. He came to this countiy in 1795, and hicated in Washington 
Comity, New York, whence he removed to Albany in 1807. lie married 
Margaret Darrah, a native of iMulligan, Irelanrl. Both the paternal and 
maternal grandfather of Mr. Beam also lived in America in colonial days 
and fought in the T?evolntionary war. A gun that was carried by the for- 
mer in the struggle for independence is still in possession of the family. 
On leaving their native state Jame; B. Harkness and his wife removed to 
Iowa, where they resided from 1852 until called to their final home. The 
father died March 21, 1880. at the age of .seventy-eight years, and his 
wife passed away January 24. 1887. at the age of seventy-six years. Thej' 
were the parent.'- of six childien, four of whom survive, namely: ^lary E., 
Edwin. George and Margaret. 

Mrs. Beam, who is the eldest of this family, successfully engaged in 
ti aching school in Iowa, both before and after her marriage. She was well 
(jualified for this calling, having acquired an excellent education, completed 
by two years' study in Howe's Academy at Mt. Pleasant. Iowa. She be- 
gan teaching when sixteen years of age, and was widely recognized as an 
ifficient instructor, i-'he is a lady of superior culture and refinement and 
well deserves the high regard in which she is uniformly held. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Beam have been born nine children: Elwood, who is living in 
PoiJ^ Angeles. Washington: Edwin, who resides upon his father's farm: 
Charles, who is now in the Klondike: Gertrude, wife of John Webb, of 
Pratt County; Ida, wife of Elmer Jones, of lola : Jennie, wife of Albert 
Florence, of Yates Center: Stella, a milliner of Chanute : Lulu, who is en- 
gaged in teaching, and Laura, a student in the high .school at Neosho Falls. 

In 1884 iNIr. Beam I'emoved his family to Woodson County, Kansas, and 



"WOOTjSON COU.N'TIES. KANSAS. " S75 

3., HOW liviny.' on a farm of niiiet.y acres situated a mile and a half south 
of Neosho Falls. The place is very attractive in appearance and is cer- 
tainly one of the most desirable farms in the locality. To the north of 
the house is a large maple "rove of about five acres which inafccs an ex- 
■ctllent wind hrcak. The residence is also surrounded by a beautiful maple 
grove, and all modern actessories and conveniences can be found upon 
the farm. The improvements are as a monument to the enterprise and thrift 
of the owner. He has erected the buildings which have been constructed in 
the old style with heavy timbers morticed in. In his business affairs Mr. 
Beam has been successful, winning the prosperity which comes as the re- 
ward of persistent, earnest effort when guided b.y sound judgment and 
supplemented by honorable dealing. "While residing in Iowa he served 
T\si sheriff of Henry county. He cast his first presidential vote for Millard 
T illmore and since the organization of the Republican part.y has been one of 
its stalwart advocates, believing that its principles contain the best elements 
of good government. As a citizen he is public-spirited and reliable, and in 
every relation of life he is known for his fidelit.y to duty and genuine 
"worth of chaitieter. 



GEORGE W. CAMPBELL. 

GEORGE AY. CAMPBELL, who o\\-ns and operates a farm in North 
township, Woodson County, was horn in Cook County. Illinois. December 
■2(i. 1852. and is a son of Sidney and Betsy (McClara) Campbell, both 
natives of New York. The father devoted his life to farming operations. 
He went to Illinois in 1838. locating in Cook County when Chicago was 
a small village. He therefoi'e witnessed its marvelous growth and develop- 
ment as it attained to the second position among the cities of the Union. 
Mr. Campbell died in Cook County in 1891, at the ripe old age of eighty-five 
years, and his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of sixty-four years. 
They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living. Two of 
their sons laid down their lives on the altar of their country in the Civil 
war, one of them never being heard from after he entered the battle. 

George W. Campbell was the seventh in order of birth in the family. 
He attended the common schools of his native county and when a young 
man he resolved to go weft where he covdd obtain land at cheaper I'ates 
than he coidd in Illinois. Accordingly, in 1878, he made his way to Wood- 
son County, Kansas, and for one year worked by the month as a farm 
hand after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raAV land 
and began the development of the farm upon which he now makes his home, 
although its boundaries have since bo en extended until it now comprises two 
hundred and forty acres. It is a very fertile and productive tract, located 
about fourteen miles northwest of Yates Center. He remained upon his 
farm until the Oklahoma district was opened for settlement, when he went 



.V74' iTI-STOKY >il- ALLKX .\.\u 

to that country, remaining for a yti'ar. Not being pleased with the terri- 
i(iy. howrver, he returned to AYoodson county where he has since made his 
home, devoting his time to general farming and stock-raising. He has a 
large herd of cattle and also many mules, and in both branches of his busi- 
ness he is meeting with prosperity. 

After purchasing his land and making preparations for a home of 
his own, Mr. Campbell desired to have a companion with whom to share 
liis new possessions, and in 1880 was united in marriage to Miss Eliza 
.Miller. Tlieir union lias been blt'S!-:ed with two sons, Sidney and Ira, both 
at home and assis'ing their father in the operation of the farm. Mr. Camp- 
bell is now a prosperous agrieiilturist and his success is entirely attribu- 
table to his own efforts, for all that he po.s.sesfes has been acquired since 
his arrival in Kansas. In his political views he is a Republican and has 
filled several offices of triist in his township, called to these positions by 
the vote of his fellow townsmen, among whom he is a popular and re- 
spected citizen,. 



LEWIS KLICK. 

For almost thirty years Lewis Klick has resided in Woodson County 
and although he had very limited capital at the time of his arrival he i? 
now one of the substantial farmers and stock growers of this portion of the 
state. He was born in Stark Coiinty, Ohio, January 3. 1842, of German 
parentage, being a son of Nicholas ;ind Mary B. (Huber) Klick, who were 
natives of the fatherland, although their marriage was celebrated in this 
country. They located in Ohio where Mr. Klick followed his trade of 
.<hoe making for many years. In 1863 he removed to Noble County, Indiana, 
where he died at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife jiassed 
awa.y in December, 1899. at the advanced age of eighty-four years. 

Of their thirteen children Mr. Klick was the fourth in order of birth. 
He spent his yotith upon his father's farm and in the Cdnnnon schools ac- 
i|uired his elementary education which was supplemented by one term's 
study in Fredericksburg Seminary, after which he became a student in the 
Creensburg Simiinaiy. In 18G2 he went to Noble County, Indiana, where he 
engaged in teaching school. In 1865 he started for California, going by way 
r.f the isthmus of Panama, and while in the Golden state he was employed 
by the month on a farm. He remained for five years, returning to In- 
diana in 1870. There he resided for a number of years and in April, 1872, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth C. Moore, a native of Ohio. 

In May of the same year, Mr. Klick started with his bride for Kansas 
and took up his abode in the southeastern part of Woodson county, where 
he purchased a homestead of eighty acres, there carrying on farming until 
1885. He then sold that property and removed to Toronto township, 
settlimi on Cedar cnek, six miles northeast of the town of Toronto, He 



WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 875 

l/iircliasfd four liuntlied acres of land and now has one of the nicest farms 
in the township. He keeps annually about seventy-five head of the best 
firaded cattle in the county and sells his stock to the local buyers. After 
comiing to Kansas he taught for one term in the district school but has since 
siven his undivided attention to his farming and stock-raising interests, 
save when called to public duty by the vote of the people who have one 
time elected him township trustee. 

In 1881 Mr. Klick was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, 
vho died on the 10th. of January of that year, leaving three children- 
Jennie M., Laura A. and Harvey L. In 1892 Mr. Klick was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Mrs. Mary C. Palmer, who had one son, 
John Palmer. ]Mr. and Mn:. Klick have one daughter, Lizzie B,, a young 
lady at home. Mr. Klick vote swith the Democracy and while he keeps well 
informed on the issues of the day he has never been an aspirant for office, 
pi'eferring that his timeshall be given uninterruptedly to his businef:s affairs 
whereby he has gained a competency sufficient to supply his needs when 
the evening of life shall come and labor proves wearisonie. 



RENIHOLD C. SUPPE. 

RENIHOLD C. SUPPE, a self-made man, whose diligence and enter- 
prise have been the salient features in bringing to him success, now follows 
farming in North townthip, Woodson County. He was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, August 12, 1859, and is the son of Frederick and Johanna (Frolich) 
Suppe. The father was a native of Prussia, and the mother of Saxony, 
Germany, and in their native land they were married, coming thence to 
the New World in 1854. Crossing the Atlantic they landed at New York 
and there Mr. Suppe was greeted with the news that the ship on which he 
had rent his household goods had been wrecked in a storm and had sunk in 
the sea. He and his wife Avere therefore left without anything, losing all 
of their household effects and fifty dollars in money. In 1858 Mr. Suppe 
removed to Cincinnati, and in that year worked at the carpenters' trade, 
which he followed continuously until after the inai;guration of the Civil 
war in 1861. His patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment and he became 
a member of the Seventh Ohio infantry, with which he remained for thx'ee 
years, participating in many hotly contested battles, including the engage- 
ments at Antietam. the Wilderness, Missionary Ridge and the Vicksburg 
campaign. When the war was ended he returned to Cincinnati and woi'ked 
III railroad shops until 1868, when he removed to Saline County, Missouri, 
v.-here he is still residing at the age of seventy-five years. His wife passed 
away in 1898 at the age of seventy-two years. They were the 
parents of seven children, of whom four are now living, namely: Mary; 
Kenihold C; William and Bertha. 

Mr. Suppe, whose name forms the caption of this review, learned the 



876 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXI) 

carpenter's trade under the direction of his father in his boyhood days, be- 
coming a good workman. He \vas married on the 5th. of September, 1883, 
to Miss Elizabeth Kaiil. who has been to him a faithfnl companion and help- 
mate on the journey of life. They were schoolmates in childhood and there 
ft rmed a friendship which ripened into love as the years passed by. The 
lady is a daughter of Peter Kaul. a native of d'erniany, who wedded Mary 
Reideubaelc, who was also born in the fatherland. They came to America 
in 1855 when young people and were mari'ied in this country. They 
then took up their abode in "Wisconsin, and later moved to Jlissouri where 
they farmed about 30 years and in the spring of 1884 they settled in Jack- 
son County, Kansas, where he bought 420 acres of land, cultivating it with 
si.ceess, where they are still living, Mr. Kaul being sixty-nine years of 
age, while Lis wife is seventy-one. They had seven children: Jacob; Carl; 
Charles ; Lizzie and Mary, twins : John, Lena and Peter. 

After the marriage of Mr. and jNlrs. Suppe. they began their domestic 
lite upon a farm in Missoiiri. which he operated for two years, and in 1885, 
he located in Jackf:on Coiuity, Kansas, where he rented a tract of land 
ai.d. in connection with its cultivation, worked at the carpenter's trade. In 
. 1894 he came to Woodson County and purchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres, partially improved, and situated twelve miles northwest 
of Yates Center. He handles what cattle and hones his farm will support 
and is engaged in the production of such cereals as are best adapted to 
this climate. He has good crops and his labors are cro^\-ned with a gratifying 
degree of success. He made his start in life by working by the month for 
twelve and one-half dollars: to-day he is the owner of a valuable farm 
property, and is niimbei'ed among the successful agriculturists of the coni- 
numity. 

T^nto Mr. and Mrs. Piippe have been born six children, namely : Oertie, 
Fred. Carl. Ida. Raymond and Esther, all of whom are yet under the 
parental roof. The household is noted for its hospitality and good cheer, 
and the members of the family have many friends in the community. In 
his political views Mr. Suppe is a Republican and has always taken an ac- 
tive interest in politics. In the fall of 1900 he was elected township trustee 
for a term of two years and has served on the school board for a nninber of 
years, dispatching his official duties with promptness and fidelity. His life 
has been a busy and upright one, and throughout his active and honorable 
career, he has enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. 



G. H. LAMH. 
HON. G. H. LAMB, late state senator for the Fourteenth district, com- 
prising the counties of Allen and Woodfon, was born in Fomitain County, 
Indiana. Februai-y 22, 1858. His father was a Union soldier and fell on 
the field of battle. Thrown upon his own resources at the tender age of ten 




k/~><^^^^^/ 




WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 8/7 

years, Mr. Lamb's early youth was one of penury and toil and hardship. 
From the beginning, however, he was full of courage and ambition, and 
however hard he may have worked through the day he nearly always found 
some time to devote to study in the evening. In this wa.v he fitted himself 
tor the profession of a teacher which he followed for several years in his 
native state. In 1883 he came to Kansas, locating first in Wilson County 
where he taught school for a few years, afterwards removing to Toronto, 
\">'^oodson County, where for three years he was principal of the city schools. 
In the meantime he had employed his leisure in the study of law to such 
good purpose Ihat in 1889 he was admitted to the bar and at once entered 
upon the practice of the profession which he has since followed with most 
gratifying success. An ardent republican, an eloquent speaker, it was but 
natural that Senator Lamb should drift into politics. He was the candidate 
o" his party for county attorney in 1892 and was elected, succeeding him- 
self in the same office in 1894. In 1896 he was nominated by acclamation 
for the office of state senator and was one of the ten Republicans elected 
!■ the Kansas senate in that year. In that body he advanced at once to a 
pi>sition of leadership, and although in the minority, wielded a connnanding 
influence during the two .sessions of the legislature tlirough which he served. 
Indeed so good was the record he made that in 1898 his countj' presented his 
i:ame as a candidate for congress, and while he failed of the nomination, 
he came out of the contest one of the recognized leaders of his part.y in the 
district- and state. 

As an evidence' of this recognition Seuator Lamb was nominated by 
acclamation as a presidential elector in 1900 and was a potent factor in 
winning the victory which restored Kansas to the republican column. 
When the electoral college met he was secretary of the Kansas electors, 
and thus made out the retui'ns which showed that Kansas had east her vote 
for JIcKinley and Roosevelt. 

Senator Lamb is a memoer of the ^lasonic. I. O. 0. F.. Knights of 
Pythias, S. K. and L. andA. 0. U. W. orders, and while he maintains high 
standing in all of them, he has been especially honored by the last named 
having been elected Grand Master Workman at the 1901 session of the Grand 
lodge. 

Mr. Lamb was married at Boswell. iienton County, Indiana, March G, 
1881, to Miss Bessie Shipp, a cultured, educated and accomplished woman, 
v.-hose sympathy, comfort and active eflSort have contributed much toward 
the successful career of her husband. To them have been born four sons 
and three daughters, all living. Mr. Lamb and his family are active mem- 
bers of the Christian church, and while he has never been regularly en- 
gaged in the ministry, yet he often fills the pulpit of the church in a most 
acceptable manner. 

Since 1897 Mr. Lamb has been in partnership with Mr. AY. E. Hogue- 
land in the practice of law, and the firm is recognized as one of the strongest 
in ♦^he Seventh Judicial district. 



S78 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND 

A life of achievement such as is here briefly recorded is its own best 
el^log}^ Here iu this new western country it is the rule rather than the 
exception that the men now occupying positions of power and influence 
have fought their own way up from obscurity and poverty. Senator Lamb's 
career is therefore not exceptional. But it is on that account none the less 
honorable and distinguished. To begin the hard battle single-handed 
while a mere child and to achieve leadership in a learned profession and in 
a great partj^ before the meridian of life is reached, is a record that any 
man may well hand down to his children with pride. 

Fine physical strength, unquenchable courage and hope, strong iu- 
ttUigenee, great decision of character, fluent and foi-eeful oratory, unques- 
ticned integrity, unwearying diligence and pertinacity— these are the quali- 
ties that have won friends fortune and fame for G. H. Lamb, and that 
veil entitle him to a place in this history. 



JOHN W. LEWIS. 

Among the influential and leading men of Woodson County is John AV. 
L< wis, the senior member of the firm J. AY. Lewis & Son. He is a native 
of Henry County, Tennessee, born February 11, 1836. His father, Simpson 
Lewis, was born and reared in Virginia, made farming his life ivork and 
died in Tennessee, in 1839. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy 
Patterson, survived him until 1849 and passed away in St. Louis, Missouri. 
She was a daughter of Joseph Patterson, who removed to Perry County. 
Illinois, in an earjy day and subsequently resided in Collinsville, that 
state. Virginia was the place of his birth and when he left the Old Dominion 
he took up his residence in St. Lonis, Missouri, in the .year 1844. 

Our subject has no sisters and but one brother. Porter M. Lewis, whose 
place of location is unknown. At the age of thirteen John W. Lewis was 
left an orphan and for a year thereafter he resided in St. Louis, Mis.souri, 
after which he went to Columbia. Illinois, and there learned the carpenter's 
trade with a Mr. Prather. He was employed in that capacity until 1852. 
The following winter he purchased cattle intending to cross the plains 
with Moore & Sterett, but failed to make the contemplated journey and in 
the summer of 1853 became a farm hand. The following year he went to 
McLean County. Illinois, where he worked by the month on a farm. In 1855 
he made a ti-ip to Iowa, but in 1856 again followed farming in the employ 
0? others until the 17th. of Augvist, 1856, when he secured a breaking team 
and outfit with which to break sod. This was his fir.^t independent venture 
and it proved a profitable one, gaining him a good start on the road to 
fortune. 

After his marriage JNIr. Lewis rented a fai-m for two years and then 
purchased a tract of land of the Illinois Central Eailroad Co., at once begin- 
ning its development and improvement. He successfully carried on agri- 



■wOODBON COITNTISS. KANSA'S. 'S/^ 

*<eiiltural pursuits for a uuniber of years, becoming the owner of valuable 
farming property. In 1871, however, he rented his farm and began dealing 
ii: agricultitral implements in Bloomington, Illinois, where he remained 
until the spring of 1876, when he disposed of his property interests in 
-McLean county and went to Union county, Iowa. There he engaged in the 
furniture and undertaking business, also dealt in coal and lumber; his 
enterprise and careful management annually adding to his capital. In 
the winter of 1884 he disposed of his business there and came to Yates 
(/enter, where he purchased the hardware stock of Mr. Brewer, and has 
since carried on business along that line. In the summer of 1884 he erected^ 
his present business block, which he has ivell .stocked with a complete line 
of shelf and heavy hardware, also large dealer in buggies and agricultural 
implements. His business policy and methods are strictly honorable and 
he therefore enjoys an enviable reputati m in trade circles. For a number 
of .years he has also engaged extensively in dealing in cattle and he is also 
the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land, two miles west and one mile 
south of the town of Yates Center. His business interests are of a varied 
nature, are extensive and important and plainl.y indicate his superior ability 
and executive force. Since coming to Kansas he has admitted his son, 
George A. Lewis, to a partnership in the business and still later Charley 
E. Lewis became a member of the firm, and is now managing the branch 
store in Garnett, Kansas. 

On the 15'h of November, 1858, Mr. Lewis married Catherine Merwiu, 
daughter of Asher Merwin, a native of New York, born in Cohimbia county, 
and a farmer by occupation. She was born in 1840, and by her marriage to 
Mr. Lewis they have become the parents of the following: George A., who 
is with his father in biif:iness ; Ida M., wife of John C. Letts of St. Joseph. 
Missouri ; and Charley E. 

Mr. Lewis is one of the active political workers of Woodson county. 
He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has 
since voted for each candidate at the head of the republican ticket, only 
two of whom have ever met defeat in all these years. His sons are also 
supporters of the same party. He does all in his power to promote the 
success of his party, and has served as delegate to varioiis county and state 
conventions, where his opinion carries weight in republican councils. The 
family attend the Methodist church and are prominent people of the com- 
munity. Although many years of prosperity in business lie behind Mr. 
T^ewis his career has not been one of uninterrupted success, and all that he 
has acquired is the direc^ result of his own efforts. Labor has been the 
Ivcynote of his advancement and his life stands in evidence of the oppor- 
tunities which America affords to her citizens, whose ambition and strong 
jurposo are not hampered by barriers of caste or class. 



-■> HTsroRv OF .ir.I.j-;.N .^.v. 

WILLIAM LOCKAKD. 

\\M. LOCKAKD, who is now engaged in the hardware business iu' 
Vates Center, has f pent almost his entire life in Woodson county, having 
tiome hitlur with his father, Martin Loekard, when but four years of age. 
He was born in Keitlebj^ Canada, on the 30th of August, 1865. His father 
was also a native of Canada, born in 1834. and after arriving at years 
oi maturity he married Sarah Lemon, who %Vi\s born in the same countiy. 
They came to Kansas in 1S70, locating in Toronto, but are now residents 
of Fort Scott. They have four living children, Kate, wife of W. P. 
Dickersou of Toronto, this state; Carrie, wife of J. X. Stout, a resident of 
Neosho Falls; William, of this review; and Maud, wife (^^ John Swearin- 
gen of Mv>nehester, Michigan. 

Reared in Woodson county, William Loekard acquired his education 
in Toronto, and after putting aside the work of the schoolroom he began 
tearuing the wagonmaker's trade with his father, following that pursuit 
for seven years. In February, 1899, he came to Yates Center and suc- 
ceeded H. H. McCormick as proprietor of the corner hardware store, 
\^hich he has since conducted, and his nnabating energy, keen discrimina- 
tion and reliable business methods have enabled him to maintain 3 place 
in the foremost rank among the leading and enterprising business men of 
his adopted city. 

On the 29th of -June, 1887, ^Ir. Loekard was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna Morris, daughter of A. H. Morris, formerly a resident of 
Illinoir, whence he came to Kansas in 1872. They now have two children, 
Harold and Andrey. In his social relations Mr. Loekard is an Odd Fellow, 
also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in his 
political affiliations he is a stalwart republican. Numbered among the 
early settlers of Woodson county, through almost a third of a century he 
has been an eye witness of its development, for as the yeai-s have gone by 
be has seen great changes wrought, the environments of pioneer life giving 
way to all the comforts of ei^-ilization. as churches and school houses have 
been built, business enterprises established and homes founded. He has 
supported all measures for the public good, and among the friends who 
have so long known him he is held in the warmest esteem. 



COLONEL DANIEL M. RAY. 
COL. DANIEL :M. RAY, one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, 
who won his title through valiant service in defense of the Union, has 
been a resident of Woodson county since 1870. In S^eptember of that year 
he arrived in this portion of Kansas and secured a homestead in Everett 
township. Since that time he has taken an interest in ever>-thing per- 
taining to the welfare and development of the eoxmty along substantial 
lines of improvement, and through his active labors he has left the impress 
of his individuality upon its history. 





:^,/?^ 



WOODSON COtrNTTES. KANSAS. BSl 

A native of Yancy county. North Carolina, Colonel Ray was Ijorn on 
the 27th of March.. 1833. He is a farmer's son and was reared in the 
usual manner of- farmer lads. His father, Thomas ^Y. Ray, was also a 
native of North Carolina and throutihout his long life devoted his attention 
to agricultural piirsuits. The grandfather. Hiram Ray. was a native of the 
(Jreen Isle of Erin, whence he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, taking 
np his abode in the old North stat«. The mother of our subject bore the 
maiden name of Hannah Carter and was a daughter of Daniel Carter, an 
Englishman. The colonel is the eldest child of Thomas and Hannah Ray, 
the others being: Hiram, now deceased; James M., of Newport, Tennessee; 
Edward AVm.. of North Carolina : Angus, of Texas ; and Mrs. Laura 
Biickner of North CaroHna. 

The educational privileges which Colonel Kay enjoyed were th""" 
.iifforded in the country schools of North Carolina, in the academy at Dand- 
ridge. Tennessee, and at Burnsville. North Carolina. Thus well ecjuipped 
for life's practical duties, by a good education, he started out to earn his 
own living when tweuty-one years of age. having previous to this time 
assisted in the work of the home farm. He engaged in ti aching school for 
about three years and then went to Tennessee where he was living at the 
tnne of the inauguration of the Civil War. Although a .southern man 
by birth and training, he believed that the government at Washington was 
fupii-'je and that no state had a right to withdraw from the Union. Thus 
it >vaf, liiat when some of the southern states attempted to secede he joined 
the Union forces, becoming a member of the Third Tennessee Infantry, at 
Camp Dick Robinson, at Crab Orchard, Kentucky. He was commissioned 
,1'ijutf'nt of the regiment and served with that command for six months, 
■.lieii he was commissioned colonel of the Second Tennessee Cavalry. His 
. - TOPnt started for the field of action from Cumberland Gap and was 
,\iih the Army of the Cumberland. After the battle of Stone river Colonel 
Rfiy was placed in command of the Second and Third Division of th.' 
r.'ivalry. and refused a brevet, preferring to be colonel with a replitatioii 
■•ather than a general w-ithout one. On many a battlefield his own bravm'y 
.insr.'red his men to deeds of valor and he made for himself a most cred "■ 
XI bio .nilitary record as a defender of the stars and stripes which now floa: 
so I ! oudly over the nation. He served until 18(54 when, on acciUit of fail- 
iiur ."lealth. he was obliged to resign. Although often in the thickest of the 
fight, he was never wounded, but the rigors and hardships of war under- 
n)ined his constitution. He participated in the hotly contested engage- 
ments at Stone river. Chickamauga. relief of Knoxville. the Atlanta cam- 
paign and the capture of the city, the battles of Franklin. Nashville and 
Jonesboro. 

After resigning Colonel Ray returned to his home and family in Ten- 
nessee. He had been married in Burnsville, North Carolina, on the 26th 
oi' ]\Iarch. 1854, to ]\Iiss Louise Farris, a daughter of Joseph Parris, who 
belonged to an old Kentucky family. They have one son, Philip S., born 



SS2 MiSTORY Of ALLEM ANT) 

Decfinber 22, 1864, who is now engaged with his father in the real estale' 
1 iisiuess. He married Miss Laura Heizer, a daughter of J. W. Heizer of 
I'^ldorado, Kansas. 

In 1866 Colonel Ray removed with his family to' Iroquois county, 
Iliinois. where be engaged in farming until 1870, when he came to Woodson 
county, Kansas, locating here in the month of September. Upon the home- 
stead in Everett .township, which he st cured, he resided for twelve years, 
placing the land under a high state of cultivation and thus transforming 
it into one of the fine farms in the community. In 1882 he sold the 
property and took up his abode in Yates Center, where -he was engaged 
in merchandising for a year. He afterwaid held the office of county sur- 
veyor for twelve years and has probably found and located more corner 
stones than any other man in the county. In 1875 he laid out the city of 
Yates Center on Section 11, Township 25 and Range 15, and for the past 
eighteen j'eare he has been an active factor in its development and 
l)rogress. As a real e^■tate dealer he is a man of comprehensive knowledge 
of land values and locations and is tl;us enabled to aid his clients in making 
.iudieious investments. He sustains an una^:sailable reputation as a business 
man, his honesty being proverbial. Socially he is connected with the Grand 
Army of the Republic and the A. 0. U. W. His has been a creditable 
record in all life's relations and no resident of Yates Center more richly 
deserves the regard of his fellow townsmen than Colonel Daniel M. Ray. 



ORPHEITS S. WOODWARD. 

ORPMEirs S. WOODWARD, who is practically living a retired life in 
Xeosho Falls, has met with creditable success in business, his honorable 
career having gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has 
been associated. He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the 1st 
of May^j 1835, and is a sou of Ebenezer Woodward, whose birlh occurred 
in New York on the 15th of April, 1S04. \\ hen a young man the father 
went to Pennsylvania and was there married to iMiss Cornelia Prindle, who 
was born in Erie county. May 31, 1814. Through the greater part of his 
business career he carried on agricultural pursuits. The wife died 
December 17, 1855, at the age of forty-one years, and in 1876 he went to 
California where his death occurred July 25, 1882, when he was seventy- 
e.ght years of age. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, 
five of whom are now living, namely: Augustus G., a resident of Tulare, 
California ; Mrs. Caroline Keller, a resident of Oregon : JMary, the wife 
111" Robert Cowden, who re.':ides on the old homeste^id in Pennsylvania; 
Mis. Georgia Desmond of Santa Paula. Cal., and 0. S., of this review. 

In taking up the personal history of Mr. Woodward we present to our 
iiaders one of the most prominent men of Woodson county. In this com- 
liiimi'v. iiiH to know him is to ar-jue one's self unknown. No event of 



VvOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 8S3 

special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in 
his youth. He was reared on the old homestead in Pennsylvania and pur- 
sued his studies in the country schools, completing his education in the 
.Academy of ^Vaterford, Pennsylvania. After leaving that institution he 
e:igaged in teaching for four years in the public schools and was then 
choren principal of the Northwestern Normal School of Pennsylvania, in 
Avhich capacity he served for a year and a half. AVlieu the war broke out 
hi put aside all personal considerations, for his patriotic spirit was aroused 
b\' the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. He therefore enlisted 
as a private in ]\lcLain's Erie regiment on the 16th of April, 1861, and 
.str\:ed for three months. On the expiration of that period he returned 
home and again entered his country's service in September, 1861, at which 
t me he was assigned to Company D, of the Eighty-third Regiment of 
Pennsylvania Volunteers and was ehoren captain, serving in that capacity 
until 1863. when on the 8th of July he was promoted to the rank of colonel, 
and subsequently brevet brigadier general for gallant and meritorious ser- 
vices. He participated in many battles and skirniiihes. among which were 
+he important engagements at Antietam, Chancel h)rsville, Gain's Mills, 
^Malvern Hill, Fair Oaks. INIine Run. Gettysburg. Rappahannock Station, 
where he commanded the corps skirmishers, and the "Wilderness. He was in 
e\ ery battle in which his regiment was engaged except at Second Bull Rim 
and Fredericksburg. Colonel Woodward was wounded through the left 
a?'m at the battle of Malvern Hill and at the battle of the Wilderness he 
lost his right leg, su-'taining in.juries which necessitated its amputation 
above the knee. He was never captured and on many an occasion his own 
personal valor inspired his men, his bravery proving an important factor 
in winning the day. His was a noble record of which he has every reason 
\^ be proud. 

When the war was over Colonel Woodward returned home to his 
yiumg wife, whom he married in the interim between his first and second 
enlistments. It was on the 9th of September, 1861, that Miss ilarietta 
Himrod of Waterford,.PennFylvania. became his wife. She is a daughter 
ot' David and Abigail Hiinrod. Their marriage has been blessed with 
three childicn: Anna, who is at home: Kate, the wife of G. F. Clark, now 
of Pewaukee. Wisconsin ; and Alice, the wife of J. S. McDonald, .jr., who 
r.sides in Chicago. Mrs. Woodward died April 11. 1887, and is bi;i-ied in 
Neosho Falls cemetery. 

Colonel Woodward has ever been prominent in public affairs. Imme- 
diately after his return from the war in 1865 he became a recoarnized leader 
in political circles in Pennsylvania and sei'ved in the house of representa- 
tives through the session of 186.3-6. In the latter year he was re-elected 
for a second term and did much towards shaping the legislature of his 
state in the epoch which followed the Civil war. In April. 1868. he arrived 
ill Kansas and AVoodson county gained thereby a valued citizen. He pur- 
chared a fai-m and continued its cultivation until 1871, when he removed 



8S4 HISTOKV OF ALLEN AND 

to Neo;:li() Palls and cnibai'ktd in the hardware business, continuing in that 
enterprise for twelve years. He has Deen very successful in his business 
transactions and today owns five hundred acres of valuable land in Wood- 
son county, all improved and bringing to him a handsome income. He had 
not been long in Kansas when his ability for leadership gained him promi- 
nence in the republican ranks of this state, and in 1888. he was elected to 
the senate where he served for four years, representing Woodson and Allen 
counties. He has ever been a stalwart republican and his services in office 
have won for him the highest commendation and have demonstrated beyond 
doubt his fidelity to the bent interests of his constituents. 

Mr. Woodward holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, belonging 
'o Neosho Palls lodge, and also in the G. A. R. He has a very pleasant home 
presided over by MisK Anna Woodward and celebrated for its gracious 
hospitality which is enjoyed by a very extensive circle of friends. The 
colonel's career illustrates the possibilitie.s that are open in this country to 
earnest and ]iersevering young men who have the courage of their convic- 
tions and are determined to be the architects of their own fortunes. When 
judged by what he has accomplished, his right to a first place among the 
representative citizens of Neosho Palls cannot be questioned. He has ever 
been true and loyal to principle and in the legislative halls of two states, 
as well as upon the battle fields of the south, he has manifested his love for 
the old flag and the cause which it represents. 



ALBERT B. IMANN. 

ALBERT B. MANTST of Toronto has for thirty .years been a resident of 
Woodson county. He was born in Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, October 
10. 1839. His father, Albert Mann, was a native of New Hampshire, born 
on the Ist of May, 1813. and was a son of Alexander Mann, who came to 
New Hampshiie from Ireland while a boy. He was a highlv educated 
gentleman who became a leading and influential citizen of New Hampshire, 
where he spent his remaining days. His wife was a daughter of Captain 
Joseph Parker, who commanded the company that drew the first fire at the 
bnt<-le of Ijexington. Albert Mann, the father of our subject, was married 
in Boston. Massachuset^^s. to Miss Mary Harvey. He died in Wichita. 
Kansas, December 11, 1874. and his wife parsed away in Chicago, on the 
20th of August, 1877. He had been educated in the common schools and 
in an academy, and afterward pursued a course of medicine, practicing his 
profession in Lexington, Delaware county, Ohio, and later in Knoxville. 
Illinois. In 1873 he came to Kansas, and in the Sunflower state spent his 
7-emaining days. In polities he was first a whig, afterward an advocate of 
the freesoil party and later, when the republican [)arty sprang into exist- 
ence, he joined its ranks. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mann were as 
follows: A. B.. of this review, is the eldest; Harvey of Springfield, Illinois, 



WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 885 

was a member of the Tweuty-sixth Volunteer lufautry. During the Civil: 
war he served as hospital steward until April, 1864:, when he was made 
assistant surgeon and in ilarch, 1S65, was appointed surgeon. On the 
expiration of his term of enlistment he joined the United States regular 
army as assistant surgeon and was stationed in the department of the 
Piatte until May, 1S67, when he was ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi. He 
.'.erved in Arkansas and in Mis.sissippi until 1869 when he came to Toronto, 
Kansas, and here practiced his profession while waiting for an a.ssignment. 
He was next ordered to Fort Stephenson, Dakota, and afterward to Collins- 
ville. South Carolina. He accompanied General Custer's command to the 
Yellowstone and Black Hills country and was severely wounded in an 
engagement with the Indians at the Grand river agency in Dakota. In 
1876 he located in Chicago, turning his attention to the practice of medicine. 
Afterward he came to Toronto where he resided until 1896. During the 
Spanish-Cuban war was surgeon of an immune regiment and in charge of 
general hospital at Key West, and since that time has been a resident of 
Springtield, Illinoif:. Mary A., the third member of the family, is the wife 
(if Captain Samuel Wist, a resident of Boulder, Colorado. George is a 
l)ractieing dentist at Waco, Texas. Hiram is living in Phoenix, Arizona. 
.Mrs. Laura. Barker, the youngest member of the family, makes her home 
in Toronto. 

Albert Buchanan Mann, whose name introduces this review, pursued 
his education in the public schools and when eighteen years of age began 
teaching. He followed that business for three years and during two years 
of the lime wa.s employed in the graded schools of Knoxsville, Illinois. He 
had resided for ten years in Richland county, Ohio, before leaving the 
Buckeye state for Illinois, at the age of nineteen. On abandoning teaching 
lie joined the army, becoming a member of Company E, of the One Hun- 
dred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the spring of 186-4. 
He was at the front five months when his health failed and he was there- 
fore discharged. Returning to Illinois he engaged in merchandising at 
Knoxville, carrying on a dry goods establishment throughout a period of 
six years. In April, 1870, he came to Toronto, bi'inging with him a stock 
</ goods which he disposed of to the residents of Woodson county, and the 
following year he located upon his farm. 

On the 19th of December, 1867, in Knoxville, Illinois, Mr. Mann was 
i;uited in marriage to Mi.<'s Martha H. Arms, whose father, Henry Arms, 
was one of the pioneer settlers of Knox county, Illinois, removing to that 
place from Massachusetts. Unto our subject and his wife have been born 
three children: George Albert, born September 11, 1868; Harry, born 
October 5, 1870; and William H., who was born January 9, 1872, and 
married Miss Lena Dcarland. 

No one has rea^-on to question Mr. Mann's political position for it is 
well known Ihat he is a stalwart republican, having supported that party 
since easting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and 



886 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND 

his last vote wtis east for Prtsident ^IcKink'v iu IPOO. In 1874 he was 
electetl to the Kausas legislature and served iu that body the following 
year. He lias twice been trustee of Toronto township and is a member 
of the Toronto school board. He has attended republican conventions and 
does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his 
party, realizing fully the responsibilities and obligations of citizenship. 
He holds nieuibership in thePresbyterian church in which he has served as 
elder, and all worthy movements for the benefit of his fellow men and sub- 
stantial development of his county receive his support. 



JACOB >. STOUT. 

JACOB N. STOUT, postmaster of Neosho Falls, editor ami proprietor 
0^' the Nei>sho Falls Post, was born iu Adams county, Illinois, June 11, 185 i 
His father was Samuel 0. Stout, a native of North Carolina, and his mother 
was Lucinda Jidian, also born in North Carolina. The parents moved up 
into Indiana and later on into Illinois, where they resided till 1S6S, when 
they came on to Kansas. They settled in Bourbon county, where they 
resided three years. In 1S71 they made their tinal change of location, going 
into Woodson county, where the father died in 1882 at the age of seventy 
yiai"s. His widow survives him and is a resident of Yates Center, Kansas. 

Jacob N. Stout was one of a family of eight children. He Mas fifteen 
years of age when he accompanied his parents to Kansas. He was brought 
up on the farm and was a pupil of the district school. In 1880 he entered 
the State University of Kansas and spent one year thei-e. The next year 
I.e entered tlie State Normal School of Kansas and finished a course there, 
with graduation, in 1882. He engaged in teaching at once, as principal of 
the Howard city schools. He remained there a year and entered the schools 
at Neosho Falls in a like capacity and remained two years. The fall of 
1886 he took charge of the schools at Kinsley, Kansas, and closed his career 
F.S' an educator with that year's work. He purchased the Neosho Falls Post 
in 1885 and he went from the school room to the editorial chair. He has 
rfniained in control of the Port since it first came into his hands and has 
i\ voted all his energies to its proj)er editing and publication. The Post 
is a newspaper with strong i-epubliean proeli\ities and an advocate of the 
interests of Neosho Falls and "Woodson county. Its publisher has performed 
whatever duties, in his town, that devolved upon him as a citizen and official, 
ar.d was appointed by Governor Humphrey a member of the Board of 
Regents of the Kansas State Normal School, where lie served two yeaijr. 
April 23, 1898, i\[r. Stout was appointed postmaster of his town for a term 
of four years. He is clerk of the city board of education and is one of the 
"school men" of the cotinty. 

Mr. Stout was married in 1878 to Miss Emma Higginbotham, who died 
within a few months afterward. In 18Sfi he was again married to IMiss 



•\\t)01)S0N COf NTIES. KA>!SAS. S87 

.i\unfetta Michner, which niarriatie was fruitful, and productive of two 
slaughters, Grace and Marie. Mrs. Stout died in 1893 and for his third 
wife Mr. Stout nuiriied Mrs. Carrie (Lockard) Shears of Lincoln, l^«eb., a 
■daughter of M. B. Lockard of Port Scott. 

Being interested in fraternities. Mr. Stout has become a member of 
some of the prominent ones. lie is a Mason, a Red Man, a Woodman, and 
111. (. nf \\<i- Knights and Ladies of S.>f\nity 



HENKY SCHLICHTING. 

That Henry Schliehting is one of the most pojmlar and i-epresentative 
■citizens of Yates Center" is indicated by the fact that in 1900 he was re- 
elected to tlie office of mayor of the city without opposition, and certainly 
the choice was M'isely made for he is a practical business man, deeply inter- 
ested in the welfare of his adopted town and his devotion to the public good 
is above question. 

A native of Hanover, Germany, Mr. Schliehting was born on the 18th 
rt September, 1856, and when only two years old was brought to America 
Avorld and took up his abode in Calhoun county, Illinois. There he engaged 
in farming until hi.s death, which occurred in 1865, when he was forty years 
■of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Isabel Heinsom. She is now 
jyirs. Wintien and resides in Crawford county, Kansas. The children of 
iicr first marriage were: Henry; Gaslia, wife of John Fredrick, of Craw-, 
ford county. Kan.sas; John, and Harnran C, also of the same county. 

Henry Schliehting spent his j'outh and early manhood on the home 
farm and enten d upon his business career as a clerk in Hambiirg. Calhoun 
•county, Illinois, where he remained for a year. In 1880 he came to Hepler, 
"Crawford county, Kansas, and engaged in clerking for John Viets, remain- 
ing in his employ for about ten j'xf'ars, after which he embarked in business 
rt\ his f atlK r. Clause Schliehting, who with his family emigrated to the new 
en his own account, as a partner of his former employer, Mr. Viets. This 
afsociation was continued until 1893. when it was dissolved, Mr. Schliehting 
going to "Weir City, Kansas, where he accepted a clerkship in a store belong- 
ing to a coal mining company. In 1895 he entered the employ of Davis & 
Company, ha.v and grain dealers at Fort Scott, and the same year was sent 
by them to Yates Center to manage their b.usiness here. He also carries 
Oil business for himself as n dealer in coal, flour and mill feed and enjoys a 
■good trade in that line, his patronage steadily increasing as time passes. 

On the 7th of December. 1884, in Ci-awford county, Kansas. Mr. 
ochlichting was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Alice Johnson, a daugh- 
ter of David Johnson, who came from Pennsylvania to the west. Mrg. 
Schliehting was born in Iowa, December 7. ISfil. jind by her marriage has 
become the mother of four children : Melissa. Edith, David C, Florence A. 
and Henry G. The hospitality of the best homes is extended to the family 



S>SS HTSTORY OF ALLEN A!W 

and tlii'ii- iiuiiiy iiifiuls may always be sure of a conlial ami fricinUy gieei- 
iiisr in the Sehlieluiiio; residence. Ifi his political views ^Ir. Sehlichtinyr 
hai: bten a stalwart republicaa since casting his first vote for James A. 
'.arfieki. and since coming to Yates Center he has been honored with various 
public offices of trust. In 1897 he was elected a member of the city council, 
was re-elected in 1888, and in 1899 was chosen by popular vote nuiyor of 
the city. He filled the office so capably that in 1900 he was re-elected— a- 
filting recognition of his ability and fidelity and an unmistakable evidence 
•■! liis personal popularity and worth for he had no o])ponent. He has 
secured many needed improvements and reforms and has promoted the 
welfare of the city along various lines. In Masonry he has attained the 
Ki.yal Are.h degrees, and has filled most of the offices in lodge and chapter. 



J. H. FRY. 

iMarUed [irogress has been nuide in business metiiods along the varicms 
lines in which men find opportunitj' to exercise their talents, and agriculture 
hils kept pace with the general advancement. Among the progressive, prac- 
tical farmers and stock-raisers of Woodson county who have won success 
is J. H. Fry, who wa;- born in Warsaw, Illinois, on the 19th of December, 
1849. His father, Solomon Fry, was a native of Pennsylvania and during 
his boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to the Prairie state 
where he learned the mason's trade which he followed for some time. He 
was married to Mi.ss Sarah E. House, a native of Connecticut, and resided 
in Hancock county. Illinois, until after the sectional differences between the 
■mr.h an.i :;>uth involved the country in Civil war. He then joined the 
.Teat army 'vhich was formed for the preservation of the Union, enlisting 
as a pr'vate with Company D, Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry, with which 
h<- t. i-ved for three years, participating in all the battles in which his regi- 
ment engaged. He was very fortunate in that he wa.s never wound. 'i 
nor captured and was never absent from duty for a single daj'. After his 
-.•!■! am from the army he removed to Kansas in lSf59, locating on a farm i-i 
Linn county, where he made his home until 1886 when he became a resident 
of «"'arthage, Missouri, where he still resides. His wife died many years 
ago. 

J. H. Pry was the eldest of their four children and was reared in 
TTaneock county, Illinois .spending his youth upon the homestead farm. 
He oenuired an academic education and afterward prepared for the prac- 
tical duties of busine.s life by learning the mason's trade with his father. 
When the war broke out he was left to care for the three yotinger children 
.ind supported them by his work. He has ever been a man of marked in- 
d'usliy and liis diligence and perseverance formed an example well worthy 
of emulation. On the 23d of January, 1873, he was united in marriage to 
Mii^s Sarah E. Buckley, a native of New Jersey, who had removed to Illinois 



TvOfCDSON CfHTNTIKS, KA'NSAS 'SSo 

'=s\'itli her parents, Joel T. aud Salinda (Wilson) Buckley. Her father was 
:an attorney at law aud at one time a nominee for •iovernor of Illinois on 
the prohibition ticket- 
After his marriage, Mr. Fry rented a farm in La Salle county and 
began dealiup: in stock. Success attended his efforts, and in .'even yeai's" 
time he was al)lo to buy a good farm, owning two hundred and eighty acres 
of well imi)roved land on which he raised cattle, shijiping them to the 
city market. He lived upon his farm until 1897 and then sold the propei-ty 
for seventy-five dollars per acre, after which he came to Kansas- and pur- 
chased two hundred and eighty-eight acres in Allen count}', three and one- 
half -miles southwest of Neorho Palls. Here he has engaged in genei'al 
farming and stock-raising and has at the present time about two hundred 
head of cattle, and feeding about one hundred head each winter. In 1900 
he received nineteen hundred dollars for hogs of his own raising. In the 
fall of 1899. in accordance with the advice of his physician, he removed to 
>;eosho Palls and to some extent has laid aside buriness cares, ^)ut drives 
back and forth to the farm in order to superintend its management. 

Unto our subject and his wife have been Tiorn three children: R. 
Thurston, now twenty-five years of age : Ora L.. an estimable young lady 
at home, and Adisa V., the wife of Jesse Everett, now of Streator, Illinois. 
Mr. Pry is a nn'!)dier of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at 
Neosho Falls' and to the Royal Arch chapter at Yates Center. He also be- 
l.mgs to Neosho Falls camp No. 3383, M. "\V. A., and to the order of the 
Rid ]\Ien and Elks at lola. He has been an active worker in the ranks of 
tlK- repul>lican party since attaining his ma.jority and is unfaltering in his 
support of its principles. Tn the spring of 1900 he was elected mayor of 
"Neo.sho Palls and has filled minor offices in the county in which he lived in 
IViinoi.'-. He is now discharging his duties in a manner highly commenda- 
tory, his administration being business-like and progressive. He exercises 
his official prerocatives in support of the pidilic cood and .has seciired a 
number of needed reform.s and improvements. He is a popular citizen, 
esteemed for his fidelity to dut\' as well as for his social qualities and for 
his business success. He is a man of forceful character, strong individuality 
ard genuine worth, and as one of the leading men of Woodson dounty he 
^s numbered. 



WILLIAM STOCKEBRAND. 

AATM. STOCKEBRAND is numbered among the prominent and influen- 
tial ciMyens of Woodson county, and has a wide acquaintance among leading 
n.en of the state for he represented his county in the legislature and served 
on a number of impoi-tant committees. Called to office by popular vote his 
■election was an indication of the trust reposed in him by his fellow towns- 
snen and well did he dircharge the duties that devolved upon him. Forty- 



■Sgo ?rrsTORY of .iLLESr AS'O 

three yiars have passed siuee he came to Woodson eoiiiity, the date of hfe 
arrival being 1857. 

Mr. Stoekebrand was born in Lippe Detniold, Germany, August 
II, 1833, and was a son of Adolph Stoekebrand, a farmer of that 
ccnntry. He spent the first twenty-two years of his life in the fatherland 
and then crossed the Atlantic, coming to Kansas in company with his 
brother, with xVugust Lauber and August Toedman. They traveled west- 
ward by rail to Jefferson City, JMissonri, and by boat to Kansas Citj', where 
tliey hired a team to haul them to Lawrtuce, Kansas. At the last named 
place they purchased au ox. team and with that continued their journey to 
Woodson eountj-. There were practically no roads south of Toy creek iu 
Franklin county, and they made their way acrors the prairies with little 
to guide them on their journey. They were all young men looking for 
homes and they found in Kansas the opportunity they sought. An acquaint- 
ance, Ernest Tjinder, had preceded them and was living on Om'1 creek. They 
made their way to his home and there started out to seek locations for 
themselves iu the timber belt. Mr. Stoekebrand of this review secured the 
southAvest quarter of Section 1, Township 25, Range 15. and has resided 
Oil this tract for forty-three years, devoting his time to farming and stock 
raiding. His success enabled him to increase his landed possessions until 
he was the owner of twelve hundred acres, of which he has since given 
four hundred acres to his childien. 

At the time of the Civil war Jlr. Stoekebrand enlisted in the fall of 
18fil, as a member of Company F, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and after one 
year he was discharged on account of disability. His service was given 
chiefly in fighting bushwhackers in Missouri and the Indian Territory. He 
had become a republican on the organization of the party and has always 
given to it his stalwart support, taking an active interest in county politics 
and doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success 
of the pai-ty. • When the populist movement began to spread Woodson 
eoimty became a strong populistic center and the republican majority was 
reduced from several hundred to almost zero, but when Mr. Stoekebrand 
became the re-publican canelidate for the state legislature in his district iu 
1895. he received the very flattering majority of one hundred and eighty- 
nine— this vote indicating in an unmistakable manner his popularity as a 
citizen and the trust reposed in him by his fellow to«Tismen. While serving 
ii! the house he was a member of the committees on the re-apportionment of 
jridicial district, on forestry, labor and woman's rights. He was interested 
in a measure whereby it was proposed to force all railroad companies to 
build and maintain fences along farm lots and pastures, through which 
hogs could not make their way, but the bill failed to pass. He also endeav- 
ored to secure the passage of a bill to protect prosecuting witnesses from 
intimidation or fear of harm from a guilty party, but this also failed. He 
gave an earnest support to every measure which he believed would prove 
of public aood, and the record of his official service is one without blemish. 



WOODSON coii.vtik:;. Kansas. S91 

On the 81st of January. 18fi3, in Coffey coiintj% Kansa.'?, Mr. Stoeki'- 
lirand inari'iod Minnie Steffen, a daughter of Mrs. Louisa (Pribernow) 
Stoffen. They have -even eliildien : William, of Woodson county : Jlatihla. 
wife of Fnd \\ eide of the .same eounty : George and Prank, bolh of 
Woodson eounty; Louisa, wife of William Fuhlhacen; Emma and Rudolph. 
The parents hold meinhership in the German Evangelical church. Mr. 
Stockehvarid is niniiVe''ed among the honored pioneers of Wood.son county. 
Pn-'ing the first fall of his residence in the conn<y, while out hunting 
ca^'tle fe war shot Ih'onch the elbow and hft arm by an Indian who sud- 
denly appeared upon his path fifteen feet from him and fired upon him. 
Great changes have occurred since that day and through all Mr. Stocke- 
hvand has aided in the work of development and p''oiri'ess, bearing his part 
it! everv movemen*^ for the nublic srood. 



CTT.VRLE^ D. YOTTXG. 

'I'hi'vc is evc'i'y decree of satisfaction and ])i'o(it in seanning the life 
liitory of one who has attained a hiirh deuree of success as the diametrical 
I'psidt of his own efforts, who has had the mentality to direct his endeavoi's 
toward the desired ends and the singleness and ."steadfastness of purpose 
which have given due value to each consecutive detail of effort. As a dis- 
tinc'^ive type of the self-made man we can refer with signal propriety to the 
gentleman whose name fornv the cap+ion of this paragraph. Ho i.s one of 
the native sons of Woodson county and is yet a young man, but has already 
attained prosperity and the firm of Keek & Young, of which he is the 
.iunior member, is operating extensively in hay at Yates Center and at 
many o'her point". 

Charles Dee Young was born in Liberty township. Woodson county, 
on the 7th of October. 1871. and is a son of John Young, who came to the 
county about 1870. A native of Germany, he was born in Hanover, in 
1836. and when twenty-one years of age sailed for the United States. For 
a time he was engaged in the rawraill business in the state of New York, 
following that pursuit until the Civil war broke out when he rented his 
property and .ioined the army. He sacrificed his business interests to his 
country, as so many others did, for while at the front he lost the sawmill. 
As a member of Company H. Fifty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, he 
.ioined the army and for four years and three months fought for the 
supremacy of the TTnion. When the war was over he received an honorable 
diseharire and with a most creditable military record returned to the 
north. 

John Yountr afterward spent some time in New Jersey and later re- 
moved to Iowa, going thence to Kans-as City, Missouri, which was his place 
of residence just ])rior to his removal to Kansas. He drove into Woodson 
ccunfv with a team and si'cured a elnim in Ijiberty townshij). immediately 



892 HISTORY OF ALI.KX AXT' 

Ix ginning thi' work of iniprovemeut. In 1880 he purchased a large tract 
of hind which is now tlie Young homestead — one of the fine t farms in this 
section of the state. JMrs. Young, the mother of our subject, bore the 
maiden name of Lucy Miller. The parents were married in Davenport, 
Iowa, and unto them have been born four children : f'harles D.. Albert, 
who is living in Colorado: Will, who is engaged in teaching in that state, 
and Elmer. 

Mr. Young of 1hi- review sp( n*^ tl'.e first twenty-one years of his 
life tipon the home farm. He supplemen'ed his early educational priv- 
ileges by study in the ^^tate .tgrieultural College and in Bethel College, 
in Newton. Kansas. For three years le engaged in teaching in the com- 
nion schools of the state and then turned his at'ention to farmina which 
occupation he dilicently pui-riicd until January. 1809. when he left the 
farm and located in Ynfes Center, where he joined S. O. Keck, in the hay 
business, thus establishing the present well known fii'm of Keek & Young. 
They have wan houses at Y'a'es Center, Bateville and Toronto. Kansas, 
and makes shipments from six or more stalions. Their busines?- is cons- 
tantly growing in volume and has already reached extensive proportions. 
A? this is an excellent agricultural district and the verdant meadows yield 
fine crops of hay. the business of the firm affords a good market to the 
farmers and the material prosperity of the eomniTinity. as well as of the 
firm, is thenby increased. 

On the 10th of June. 1897. Mr. Young wa." united in marriage to Miss 
\'iola Baker, a daughter of Baxter P. Baker, of Woodson county. Having 
always resided in Woodson County, Mr. and Mrs. Young have a wide 
acquaintance, and possessing those sterling (jualities which ever awaken 
regard, they have gained many warm friends. In his political views Mr. 
Young is a Democrat, earnest in his advocacy of party principles and of 
reform movements, while socially he is connected wi'h the Knights of 
I'vthias fraternitv. 



THO:\rAS M. HERDMAX. 

THOMAS M. HERDMAN was born in Jersey county. Illinois. Feb- 
ruary 25. 18G8. and i- ol Seoteh-Irish lineage. His father. Thomas ^l. 
Herdman, Sr., was born in county Antrim. Ireland, and about 184.5. bid- 
ding adieu to the Enu^rald Isle, sailed for the United States. Landing in 
New York, he there lemained until the grea' gold excitement in California 
attracted to the Pacific coast, men from all parts of the country, when 
hi' joined the Argonauts bound for that state. He was very siiccessfid 
in his mining ventures there and remained in California for five years 
after which he returned to New York. Tii 1801 he removed to Illinois, 
n-here he met and married Miss Margaret Parcell. a native of New Jerrey, 
born near Bonndbrook. In 1870, i\Ir. Herdman came with his wife and 



woonsnx coitntik:;, kaxsas. .S93 

cliiMi'Cn to Kansas, sotllins two miles north of tlie present site of Piqiia. 
He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, plowed and planted 
th> nelds and soon hail a hiiilily improved farm on which he resided iiv.li! 
Ivs (ir.ath, which oecuned in ISSO, wiien he was forty-nine years of aye. 
His wife survived him until March. 1900, wheu she parsed away at llie 
aiie of fifty-two yeais. This worthy couple were the parents of sev'^n 
ihihbeu. 

Thomas M. Heidman. whose name begins this record, was the second 
i;j order of birth, and was about two years old when brought by his par- 
ents I0 this ^tate. Tlce he was reared and educated, attending the dis- 
trict s-chools through the winter months and assisting in the work of the 
hr>uii> farm throu.gh +he summer sea'ou. He is now living on the old home- 
s<(ad and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. The heirs have one 
hund'ed and sixty ac^es of land, which is yet undivided. 

On tie 2d of December, 1891. Thoma." Hei-dman was united in mar- 
r.age to J.liss Dellah .Vddleman. who was born in Venango County. Penn- 
sylvania, and came with her parents to Kansas in 1887. She is the daugh- 
i( ■• of "Robert and T?ni'bn''i I'Hoffman) Addleman. both of Avhom are natives 
of the Keystone r'^ate. Mr. and Mrs. Herdman now have two children: 
rioyd and Helen acred respec'ivelv six and three vears, and their presence 
adds sunshine and happiness to the home. Mr. Herdman holds member- 
ship with the Modern Woodmen of Amenca. He is one of the industrious 
yountr farmers of AVood'on County, and if he continues iu his present indus- 
ti ioi's and honorable course will in a few years be rankcil wilh the wealthy 
;• '"ie" I'nvis's of *^l'e communitv. 



OEORGE H. LYNN. 

( Il'^Ot;!.'!'] Tl. LYNX, who carries on farming and stock raising in 
Xeosho Fall? township, Woodson county, is numbered among the native 
sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Moultrie County, October fi. 
''■i-'i^i. His father. Simon Tvun. was a native of Kentuck.y and wedded 
Marcia A. Stevens, who was also born in that state. In 1854, he went to 
Illinoir'. and ten years later came to Kansas, arri^^ng in Woodson County 
1". the l.ith of Sep' ember, 1804. He settled on the Len Fuqua farm, a 
mile and a half ea«t of Neosho Falls .where his son Ceorge is now living, 
and there his life's labor.s were ended in death in 1888, when he was 
■ eventy-one years of age. His wife died August 1, 1882. at the age of 
fifty-two years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom six 
are yet living, namely: Mrs. Belinda Levett of Xeosho Falls: Adaline, 
wife of O. B. Miller, a resident of Hutchinson. Kansas: Belle, wife of 
T'eortre Odi 11 of Oklahoma : J. A. ; Cfeorge H.. and James W. 

George H. Lvnu was a lad of only nine summers when, in 1S64, his 
parents came to Kansns, and he spent the greater part of his youth on the 



894 HISTOKV UK ALLKN AXJi» 

fii.rm which he now (iwiis and occupies. His pi'eliniinnry mentnl tliseipliiie 
was received in the disti'iot schools and he was also a student in (leneva 
Academy. He remained with his parents until they passed away, rcnderinu- 
them filial care and devo'ion in their declininp; years. 

Mr. Lynn has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Jennie Lee, a 
di.stant relative of General Robert E. Lee. She died in 188G, leaving two 
children. Earl and Perry Ijee. The latter is now livinc with his maternal 
grandmother in Tojieka. Kansas, having been reared by her. while Earl is at 
home with his father. Mr. Lynn was again married in 1891, his second 
union being with Mi.=s Lula Odell, who wa>' born in Illinois, and in 1S8S 
came to Kansas with her paren's, James TI. and Phoebe Odell. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lynn now have four children : Elvyn, Floyd, Oleyn and Gladys. 

Mr. L.ynn secured his start in the bni^iness world on a capital of 
three dollars. The father gave to each of his children that sum of money, 
and Mr. Lynn and his sister, combined their finances, purchased a calf 
for rix dollars. T'his was the beginning of his stock raising interests. With- 
in three years they had twenty-one head of cattl(>, and Mr. Lynn has long 
been recognized as one of the leading stock raisers of Woodson County 
Upon his father's death he purchased of the o'^her heirs their intere^'ts in 
the old homestead, which he has since occupied. He here owns two hun- 
dred and twenty-seven acres of fine farming land, both timber and prairie, 
and upon the place are some splendid never failing springs. 
He has indeed, one of 1he fine stock farms of southens+ern Kansas. He 
raises registered Poland China hogs and sells many of these for breeding 
purposes. His horses and cattle are of excellent grades, and his annual 
sales of stock bring him a good profit. His barn is built on the side of a 
hill, thus having excellent drainage, and in his feed lot is nice timber, mak- 
ing good shelter for his stock. The farm residence was erected in 1860 of 
native walnut lumber which was cut in the sawmill owned by L. L. North- 
rup. An air of neatness, thrift and affluence pervades the place and Mr. 
Iiynn is accounted one of the substantial agriculturists and stock raisers 
of his adopted county. Bociall}' Mr. Lyjin is connected with the Modern 
Woodmen of America, belonging to Neosho Pall.'; Camp. He exercises his 
right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican 
party, believing lliat its principles are Ixst calculated to promote good 
government and secure (he wealth ol' Hie nation. 



INDEX 

PART I 
ALLEN COUNTY, KANSAS 



iGE 37 


Bench and Bar 


59 


Churches and Schools 


62 


Criminal Record 


96 


Elsmore 


" 648 


Election Returns and Other Statistics 


33 


First Things 


■' 69 


Geneva 


95 


Gas 


91 


Humboldt 


!! 41 


Humboldt Lawyers 


73 


lola 




TOLA CHURCHES 


80 


American M. E. 


77 


Baptist, First 


80 


Baptist, Second 


79 


Catholic 


78 


Methodist 


78 


Presbyterian 


79 


Reformed 


78 


United Brethren 


5 


Location and Natural Features 


31 


Land Titles 


95 


LaHarpe 


82 


Moran 


" 56 


Natural Gas 


6 


Natural Resources 




lOLA NEWSPAPERS 


80 


lola Register 


80 


Allen County Courant 


81 


Tola Farmers Friend 


81 


Allen Cuonty Herald 


81 


Western Sentinel 


8! 


lola Daily News 


81 


lola Daily Record 


81 


Population and Wealth 


341 


Reminiscence of an Old Settler 


88 


Savonburg 


54 


Swedish Settlement 


8 


Territorial Period 


25 


Thirty- five Years of Peace 


38 


Valentine's Recollections 


21 


War Period 



BIOGRAPHIES 



52-44"^ 

269 . 

57' 

0-6 

4S-4S7 

104 

2-6 

1S6 
191 
1 13 

30S 
4'^ 

459 
-5<^ 
4S9 

4S 
29S 
504 
55 J 
-45 
3S7 
4^7 
565 
226 
122 
334 
34' 

5^ 
530 
466 



4S2 
3^^ 
57 
42S 
199 
300 
306 
400 

235 

1S2 
26S 
543 



Ard. X. L. 
Acers. N. F. 
Adams, H. B. 
Adams. \V. M. 
Alexander. \V. E. 
Ama-;. G. A. 
Anderson. J. R. 
Anderson, T. T. 
Andrews. \V. H. 
Armel. J no. H. 
Ariielt. J. D. 
Arnold. E. \V. 
Ashbrot^k. J. M. 
Aushernian. C. C. 

Bacon, Geo. H. 
Baland. Chas. 
Bale, Jno. \V. 
Barber. E. A. 
Barker. Jesse 
Barnelt. W. T. 
Bariihart, Adam 
Barnholt. Clans 
Bartels. W. L- 
Barth, C. F. J. 
Bealim. J. H. 
Beatty. J. C. 
Beeman. A. M. 
Beck, A. \V. 
Bennett, Zar E. 
Benton, C. E. 
Bird, \Vm. 
Blakelv, H. E. 
Bogle. A. C. 
Booe, J. M. 
Bastwick. D. \V. 
Boulson. Dr. C. H. 
Boyd. J. K. 
Bragg. Harry 
Brandenberg, S D. 
Braucher, \Vm. 
Brett, O C. 
Brown, A. \V. J. 
Bunvn. Dr. H. A. 
Brown. Gei->. M. 
Brown. Jno. M. 
Brown, \V. M. 
Browning Mrs. M M 



545 

1S2 

45 
20^ 
246 
390 

45 

43. > 
4^3 
446 
31 1 
3-9 
43 
56' 
259 
525 
25S 
3S2 
146 
323 
234 
131 
218 
28 1 
330 



473 
36S 



570 
440 
320 
468 

563 
104 



40S 

528 

23** 
152 
291 
',60 



Bruner. Elias 
Buck. L. D. 
Buchanan, Wni. 
Burleinh. H. M. 
Burtis, H. M. 
Busley, Henry 
Butler, Joshua 
Byrne. Tho<. L. 

Cain, Edward 
CampNell. A. H. 
Campbell. A. L. 
Campliell. W. T. 
Carman. H, H. 
Cates. J. B. F. 
Cation. Thos.. Jr. 
Cecil, S. G. 
Chastain, Dr. W. D. 
Choguill, \V A. 
Cholk-tte, Mrs. M J 
Christian, J. D. 
Christv. J. L. 
Claiborne. R. R. 
Coe. I. S. 
Coffinan. J. H. 
ColUirn. J. F., lola. 
Cope, Dr. Benj. 
C>|Krlin, R. S. 
Cornell. John 
Courtney. Dr. John 
Courtney, I". R. 
Cowan. \V. A. 
Cox. W. D. 
Crowell, E. I. 
Cunningham Alfred 
Cunningham, Wni. 
Cunningham, R. \I. 
Curtis, E. D. 

Daniels. C. \V. 
Davidson, B. O. 
Davis, Brothers 
Davis. \Vm. 
Davis, Wni. 
Daniels, A. L. 
Daughters. W. T. 
Deal, Margaret C. 
Decker. T. P. 



nioGKAPinEs 



r.vo.u 50J 

■' 407 

-47 

• 176 

" 340 

" 453 

50 

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264 
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169 

192 

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200 

290 

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Decker, M. L. 
DeClute. C. H. 
Delaplaiiie. K. P. 
Delapluue. J. W. 
Deniiev, F. S. 
DeWitt. G. 
Dickey. Jno. P. 
Donoho, L T. 
Donoho. M. H. 
Don nan. \V. J. 
Dornberijh.Dr. A. 
Downs. S. 1:. 
Downs, C. L. 
Drake, J. \V. 
Drake, Rev. L. I. 
Dnncan. J. P 
Dnnc.in. L. \V. 
Diiniinsa;, D. P. 

Ebert, Henrv 
Ed.son, C. \r. 
Kdwards, J. \V. 
Eldruii^e, G. T. 
Ellis. G. W. 
Englehar.it, Giis 
Enos, \V. E 
Ericson, E. D. 
Ericson, JiKepli 
Ericson, Jacoh 
Evans, John M. 
Evans, \V. J. 
Evans, S. H. 
Evans, H. T. 
Ewing, H. A. 

Feeley. Martin 
Fergus. J. B. 
Fin lev, James 
Fisher. Geo. \V. 
Fisher. J. H. 
Fisher. Mrs. X 
Firzpairick. T. : 
Forti. Mr>:. Marv 
Fowler. HP." 
Fox, G^i. G 
Francis, Jno. 
Freed, Daniel 
Freeman. Geo. 



K 204 

439 
355 
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463 

579 
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Frevert. F. \V. 
Funk. Mrs. A. L. 
Fulton. Dr. A. J. 
Funston. Frederick 
Fun.ston, E. H. 
Furneaux, W. J. 

Gants, Jno. H. 
Gard. G. R. 
Garvl. S. A. 
Gardner, J. H. 
Gay, Ephraim 
Giy, Frank 
Garrett. L. A. 
Gilbert, Eli 
Gilbert, E. G. 
Givler, Henry 
G\x>dner, Jacob 
Goodwin, Jno. R. 
Gordon, Jno. C. 
Goyette. Frank 
Grim. Jno. 
Gwillim. Jno. 
Gwillim. \Vm. 

Hacknev & Son 
Hall. C' W. 
Hall, W. T. 
Hamni. J. \V. 
Haukins, Ximrod 
Harris, Geo. 
Harris. T. B. 
Hartman, W. M. 
Haves, J. P. 
Havs.Jno. B. 
Heck. Mis. E. 
Heim, Conrad 
Helle, C. F. 
Henderson. H. L. 
Hess. G. W. 
Hildebrant. G. D. 
Hite. Edward 
Hoban. Harmon 
Hogan. Thos. 
Hokanson. Peter 
Holmes. N. T. 
Holtz, J. C. 
Horton. F. J. 





BIOGRAPHIES 




4^5 


Hcwxille. Daniel page 


222 


5^3 


Hoslev. J. L- 


204 


479 


Honenitein, J. O. 


4^^ 


S*6 


Honser. Cha«. 


554 


514 


Hnck. W. J. 


1S9 


36-' 


Han, Lewis, Jr. 


4^ 


559 


Hnfimire. W. W. 


248 


510 


Hnnter. Orlander 


316 
305 


260 


rhrig. W. J. 


160 


429 


Ingels, Marion 


14S 


261 


Inman. A. D. 


556 


515 


Ireland. Jno. E. 


^5^ 


531 


Irwin. S. M, 


55'^ 


222 


Isaac, A. B. 


3H 


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Jackson. Frsnk 




47- 


Jacobson. P. C. 




52: 


Japhet. C. A. 


337 


"7 


Jav. Elisha 


1S5 


215 


Jewell. Dr. J. E. 


21C 


4S1 


Jewell, W. D. 


'47 


219 


Jones. W. X. 


170 


299 


Jones. Mr^ Jennie 


I2> 


432 


Jones, J. E. 


2S0 


470 


Jordan. A. W. 


366 
410 


161 


Keith, C- B. 


51 


196 


Keith. C. P. 


549 


2SS 


Kellam. Dr. S. H. 


-^43 


116 


Kellev. I. D. 


302 


iiS 


Kelley. W. B. 


351 


441 


Kennedy, Wm 


344 


55S 


Kenyon, J, G. 


174 


47 


Kepljnger, L. W. 


49<^ 


'95 


Kern, M. P. 


477 


249 


Kerr. \V. A. 


135 


165 


Kerr, Obed 


240 


140 


Kettle, Fred 


22c 


102 


Keyser. Benj, 


405 


:o2 


Kinne. L. B. 


22S 


56S 


Kitzmiller, T. I. 


5*^ 


2S7 


Klotzbach, Simon 


512 


51 


Kaight. R. H. 


457 


536 


Knowlion, C L- 


107 


166 


Knox. S. M. 


437 


251 


Kohler. A. C. 


416 


517 


Knder, T. H. 





Lacey. M. L. 
Lacey, EU D. 
Ladd. Jacob H. 
Ladd. L- O. 
Lanibeih. Dr. G. B. 
Larimer. W. T. 
Lanry, Jno. W. 
Lehman, Jno. S. 
Leitzbach. E. H. 
Lent. Robinson 
Lienrance. Hiram 
Ling. W. H. 
Linqnist. P. M. 
List. G. H. 
Liitlejohn. Dr. Wm 
Lockhart, J. W. 
Longsaeih. B. A. 

Mable. Mr*. C M. 
Manbeck. Jno. 
Mapes. G. G. 
Marnn. Dr. C. S. 
Mattock. W. M. 
Mattoon. J. M. 
McCarlev. Jav 
McClang. A.'j. 
McDonald. J. M. 
McDonald. W. G. 
McDowell.W. H . 
McEliov. W. T. 
McGiiew. W. P. 
McKaughcji. James 
McKinley, Geo. 
McLaughlin, Geo 
McXief. C. W. 
Mendenh,ait, L- D. 
Mei chant. Wm 
Meredith. Geo. 
Merrill, G. L. 
Miller, H- M. 
Milk. C. K- 
Miner. E. P. 
Mitchell. MissC 
Moffitt, \V. \V. 
Moon. Geo. W. 
Moonev, F. C. 
Mali. C. G. 
Mveiv;, HA. 



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BIOC.RAPHIKS 



145 
242 

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52 
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417 
499 

119 

1^7 
173 
51S 
475 
41 
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574 
315 
I S3 
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Stout, \V. T. 
Stover. L. P. 
Strickler, J. C. 
Strong, J. C. 
Swauson, Jno. 

Talcott. H. \V. 
Tanner, F. P. 
Tavlor. A. L- 
Taylor. Jas. 
Thomas. H. E. 
Thomas. L. C. 
Thomjison. C. C. 
Thompson. Newton 
Thompson, R. L. 
Thnnev, Jc*<eph 
Thurston, Orlin 
Tobey, E, H. 
Tovmsend, Jas. 
Tredwav, J. T. 
Tn^i^-.. E. W. 
Turner. J. S. 
Turner, \Vm 



12c Vannn\-s. J. H. 

216 Vamer, S. C 

29S WaUace. J. M. 

254 Wallis. B. L. 



-9.> 
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23o 
309 
54!^ 
125 
44 

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221 

396 
206 
403 
197 
45S 
47-^ 
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162 

549 
154 
155 

464 
545 



Waul Richard 
Wedin. A. 
Weith S- H. 
Wen, E X. 
Whitaker. C. L. 
White. R. F. 
Wliilnev H. C. 
Wilhite. S. B. 
WiUett. E N. 
Williams, H. W. 
Williamson. J. M. 
Wilson. Fiances 
Wilson Jas. 
Wilson J. S. 
Wisbors- A. P. 
Wishar^. L. H. 
Wood A. M. 
Wooti Jno. T 
Woodin J. C. 
Works. R. M. 
Wright A. E. 
Wright A. M. 

YonugG. H. 
Young J. M. 
Young W. F. 



451 Zimmerman, Robt. 



PAGE >79 

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" 610 

*' 594 

'• 599 

• 5S^ 

• 6cvS 

• 6S^ 



PART II 

WOODSON COL.NTV 

Woodson Conntv 



Mec- - n 

: on Returns 
~ etc. 

- . -.a WiT 

Wcs>iSwa CounPT Ne\rsrap«ers 



KA.N5.AS 



BIOGRAPHIES 



PAGE 753 

" 836 

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" 825 

" 828 

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" 777 

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" 810 

" 748 

" 807 

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" 783 

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Agnew. W. J. 
Aicnew, \V. F. 
Allen. J. J. 
Armstrong, John F. 
Arnold, F. L. 
Askren, David 
Augustine, O. P. 

Baker, B. P. 
Bauersfeld, C. H. 
Baver, F. H. 
Bayer. J. H. 
Bayer, J. F. 
Bay less, J. F. 
Beam, A. J. 
Bennett, D. C. 
Berndsen, F. H. 
Blume, Protas 
Boatman. \V. B. 
Bradford, H. E. 
Brenner, A. F. 
Buck, X. B. 
Butler. F. W. 

Campbell, G. W. 
Camac. Isaac J. 
Carpenter, G. D. 
Coe, Albert 
Coe. A. D. 
Conger, F. H. 
Cope, S. J. 
Cox. Geo. W. 
Culver. J. C. 

Darst, A. F. 
Davis, T. T. 
Davidson, T. H. 
Dickerson, W. P. 
Diver, C. F. 
Dumond. F. J. 
Dumond. Fred A. 
Dutro. James 

Eagle. J. Worth 
Eagle, Stanford 
Easley. Oliver 
Eisenbart, John 
Elliott, John 

Ferree, W. H. 



PAGE 737 

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Frame, Madison 
Frevert, Frederick 
Foote, Geo. K. 
Frv, Jacob 
Fry. J. H. 
Fuhlhage. Hermann 

Gailev. David 
Goodale, C. B. 
Grogman, Geo. 
Grubbs, Edward 

Hale, J. A. 
Hamilton. Alexander 
Hamilton, J. O. 
Harder, C. F. 
Harding, John 
Hartwig. Fred 
Hartwig, William 
Hays. Frank 
Heffern, Michael 
Henn,-, D. H. 
Herd man. T. H. 
Hill, George 
Hogueland, S. H. 
Hogueland, W. E. 
Holcomb, S. C. 
Huff, A. J. 
Huff, Jefferson 
Hunt. M. E. 
Hurt, H. C. 
Hurt. R. A. 

Inge, D. R. 

Jackson, Joseph B. 
Jeffries, Hiram 
Jones, Reuben 
Jones. Albert J. 

Kahl, Samuel 
Keck. A. A. 
Keck, S. Grant 
Kees, Wm. 
Keller. Adam 
Kellev, J. P. 
Kimb'ell, R. 
Kinyon, W. P. 
Kinyon, C. M. 
Kingan, John 



BIOGRAPHIES 



PAGE S74 
S20 

876 
786 
854 
859 
629 
642 
S4S 
S78 
727 
694 

SSo 
814 
893 

S84 
73S 
715 
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770 
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626 
804 
634 
797 
671 
680 
631 
796 
711 

767 
656 

SiS 

653 
801 

853 
687 
696 

835 
658 

64S 
716 
659 



Klick, Lewis 
Kluckhuhn. Fred'k 

Lamb, Hon. G. H. 
Lanktou, C W. 
Laiides. C. H. 
Laude, G. A. 
Lauber, August 
Lee. Dr. G.' \V. 
Leedv, R. B. 
Lewis, J. W. 
I,,inder, E 
Liglit. John 
Lockani, Wni. 
Lvtle. \Vm. 
Lynn. G. H. 

.\Lann, A. B. 
Macoubrie, M. S. 
Nfaclaskev, J. VV. 
Markham. A \V. 
Marple. \V. F. 
Martin. J. L. 
Mason, J. \V. 
Maxson, Dr. D. W. 
Massotli. Henrv 
McGill. C. F. 
McGill. G. W. 
McCoruiick, H. H. 
Mentzer, Geo. 
Mentzer, C. O. 
Miller, A. B. 
Mitchell, T. A. 
Mitchell. W. J. 
Moerer, George 
Morse, Ensign 

Navlor, E. W. 
Naylor, G. \V. 
Xaylor, Silas L. 
Xeimann, L. C. 
Xoteman. G. H. 

O'Gilvie, William 
Old, H. E. 

Parrish, Malen 
Paris, S. G. 
Parsons, W. L. 



PAGE S06 

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Parks. Joseph 
Park, Janifs 'SI. 
Patterson. S. L. 
Patterson. W. M. 
Peniberton, L P. 
Peters, Clans 
Phillips, David 
Pitman, Benj. 
Plummer, T \V. 
Porter, S. E. 
Pringle, John 
Pribbernow, C. F. 
Puckett, J. J. 
Purcell, J. M. 

Quick, John \V. 

Ray, D. M. 
Reedy, Michael 
Rcedv, William 
Reid.Tho-. L. 
Rhodes, P. M. 
Rnbbins, Levi 
Rogers, G. W. 
Rollins. H. C. 
Ross, J. A. 

Saferite, C. S. 
Seaton, John A. 
Schaede, Fred'k 
Schlichting, Henry 
Schnell, Albert 
Shaw, S. R. 
Shannon, J. X. 
Siienck. John 
Shotts, D. T. 
Sicka, Wenzel 
Slack. T. M. 
Smith, Peter 
Smith, Levi 
Spencer, F. H. 
Strange, William 
Strange, Christian 
Stephenson, G. R. 
Sticher, J. H. 
Stines, W. B. 
Stockebrand, E. 
Stockebrand, Wm. 
Stout, J. X. 



BIOGRAPHrK.S 



633 
875 
834 
762 

768 

765 
822 

668 
651 
665 
741 
735 



Stoll, George 
Suppe, R. C. 
Summers, I. T. 
Surprise, Harvey 

Taylor, W. P. 
Thompson, E. T. 
Toedman, Adolph 
Trout, G. W. 
Trueblood, H. S. 

Walters, John H. 
Wamsley, Thos. 
Weide, C. H. 



«'5 
766 
846 
823 
866 
882 
646 

675 
678 
791 

733 
891 



Wcido. \V. M. 
Wille. \V. C. 
Wilkinson, William 
Winter, H. H. 
Woodruff, C. A. 
Woodw.Trd, O. S. 
Wright, S. H. 
Wright, F. H. 
Wright, I^. W. 
Wright, .\mos 

Yates, Ahner 
Young, C. B. 



;'; '"i' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
II III III II II III II II II III 








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